thepollster

I'd just stuff the canopies in a pillow case or duffel bag if I were you. Plastic bags can trap moisture. And then I'd store the rig in a cool, dry, dark place (inside closet). Also, good on you for your curiousity about your gear.

Why do you want to downsize? If it is just because you got a good deal, that is the wrong reason. You could sell the Safire for more than you paid and use the money for jump tickets if that is the case.

If you read between the lines on what you wrote, you will find your answer.

That looks like the pond at Skydive Elsinore. Perhaps a local could clue us in on who the swooper is, and if he is okay.

Plus she is rich. Yeah, I'd do her

Or a Mirage, Vector3, TalonFS, or any other decent design

I don't. She made many mistakes that seem to indicate the sport isn't for her. This isn't all fun and games, you can die if you don't react properly and quickly.

Fixed it for you

CC classes are cheaper than broken bones. Also, at boogies there are often low/no cost seminars, and some will do video debriefs included. If someone can't afford to stay current, maybe skydiving isn't for them.

You will need more information to calculate drag,such as surface area and surface friction. If you can tell me how to calculate my surface area, which changes based on body position, I'll buy you a jump ticket (valid only for DJL).

I couldn't agree more. Another benefit of having the manufactor do the resizing is you will get a harness with correct harness geometry for the rig. I know at least one person who got a harness resize done by a local (qualified) rigger and found the harness less comfortable even though it fit better (not as loose).

I know 2 people who have had a reserve total (not including the one mentioned in this thread). Both were rigging errors, one was solved by elbowing the container vigorously (wrong type of closing loop installed), and one was solved by a cypres. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

And when did they start selling beer in cans? I've seen flavored piss in cans, but never beer.

There is no reason except percieved reduction of drag.

I've done this before. In my experience, a well used 103 fit well in a container sized for a 120. I did not try a 111, but I think it might be snug, but within reach.

www.SkydivePerris.com is another option near the L.A. area.

Is that why you're jumping a javelin?

I suggest you get some canopy coaching ASAP and work on your basic canopy skills. It sounds like your Samauri is a vanity canopy that you don't have the skills to fly safely. I weigh a lot less than you, and I can safely swoop a Sabre2 190, and I'm not a canopy god, I'm just someone who took the time (and money) to learn how to fly any canopy.

Think again. Mike Ortiz, formerly of the flyboyz (is he still at San Diego?) has a hand signal for this. It is the middle finger, basically saying you are fucked, your gear is compromised, belly out.

Eagle Vision, Ford Tempo, Izusu Amigo

This thread is lame. Luckily, I am a thread killer. Y'all forgot Vector. It was an American supercar produced around 1990. Also, the TurboZ.

a) the stigma assc. w/ skydiving is a product of media hype What stigma? Skydiving isn't rational, but it sure is fun. b) the parachute is like a machine, if packed properly, it will open properly It won't. You are throwing out nylon in 120MPH wind. Expect and accept randomness to sneak in. c) skydivers aren't out to kill themselves and safety is always priority no. 1 For many people, safety is less important than looking cool and having fun. If safety was priority 1, we would all stay at home and watch TV. d) the number of fatalities arising from human error are large in proportion to total malfunctions That won't make you less dead if you have a fatal human error. e) it is a highly highly regulated sport It isn't.

The pull out lanyard runs through a grommet on the base of the pilot chute, then to the straight closing pin. My packer had left 3-4 twists in the whole thing, locking it up solid. It's hidden after packing but you can pull it out to inspect it, so yes, both would be my fault. Cocking the pilot chute had nothing to do with it, just an unfamiliar system to a new packer. I don't use packers much, but even if you give them a rig with the brakes undone and the pilot chute not cocked, wouldn't you expect them to double check and do what was required? I've seen many packers tell the customer to stow there brakes, and not pack the canopy until that was done. In my opinion, that is fair , because there are so many variations on toggle/riser setups, the jumper will have their own opinion on how to best stow them. Also, when the jumper has a premature toggle release due to poor design, they won't blame the packer. I do expect the packer to cock the PC, but doing it yourself insures it is done, since with a pull-out you can't check it after it is packed. I prefer to get a pull-out rig back from the packer with the lanyard fully exposed, and the grommet out. That way, I can tuck in everything exactly as I like it, and eliminates blame to the packer for something I should check anyway. Unfortunately, many jumpers get so complacent they don't even check the main pin when picking up a rig from a packer. What can you do? The sport has truly become mainstream. I am sick of seeing people blame the packers and refuse to take any personal responsibilty.

Pictures please

I'd say both were your lazy fault. A proper gear check can check anything that would cause a total with a closed container, and cocking the PC (assuming collapsible) before handing the rig to the packer would prevent the other. Can you explain how a packer caused a problem on your pullout? Agreed.