grimmie

Ckret, How many "missing persons" were reported up to a week before or month after the jump? If DB went in you would think a friend or relative would be worried and report it.

Good info everyone. About plan B being behind you or downwind... Lost Prairie, about 10 years or so ago. A naked 4 way got out on a REALLY horrendous spot. The spot was over the big hill to the East of the DZ. There were fire roads to go to or openings on the mountain with rocks and downed trees on them. The entire load except for one tandem last out landed on the hill. Everyone was safe except for one of the naked 4 way guys. Luckily a local from Montana found him (Lanny). 8 of us hiked up to retrieve him with a backboard and medical gear. The "Crack's" got cancelled and the Flathead Valley Search and Rescue was called out. He was put on the ALERT helicopter at 3:00AM. The injured jumper made a full recovery, my knees hurt for months from the hike up and back and a great Saturday night was wrecked. Three simple things would have prevented it all. 1. Better canopy skills 2. A downwind run to the valley right next to him 3. Looking down during freefall..and out the door before jumping! He focused on making it to the DZ and it was his first time jumping there. About open places like Skydive AZ. I have had to pick many roads and fence lines to land by, and once had to set down in a backyard in Toltec. I landed in a ball field in downtown Perris once also. And my favorite was an apple orchard a mile past Benson's at the Ranch. Things on the ground ARE larger than they appear! The whole earth is a DZ!

I have been following the saga of Chris-Ottawa downsizing in the other threads. All of the banter had me thinking about all of the places I have had to land off field over the years. I'm not to sure at low jump numbers and a smaller canopy I would have walked away from a few forced landings into tight areas. Even at wide open areas like Skydive AZ or Perris you can get a bad spot and be forced into making critical, quick, lifesaving decisions on bad spots. We also have to take into consideration the rest of the load that is trying to land where you want to go also. I have witnessed jumpers hit power lines, cement barriers, buildings, trees etc. after bad spots. So here are a few things to ponder during your everyday jumping and deciding on new canopies. 1. Do I know the area. If it's a new DZ you are jumping check out the surroundings and landmarks. 2. Can I land my main OR reserve in a tight spot. 3. Can I make good, rapid decisions at deployment altitudes, recognizing the need for a plan B landing. Pick the landing spot up high. 4. Can I land my canopy straight in with minimal ground swoop and shut it down quickly. 5. If I'm open over lots of stuff, like a town, can I recognize and take the path of least resistance that will hurt the least. 6. Where are the bad obstacles, power lines, etc. 7. Look DOWN in freefall, and break off early if it's looking bad. Beware the line of flight and any groups exiting after, however if it's that bad you are probably last out. 8. What are the winds doing, uppers and ground? There are many pointers that others can feel free to add about off DZ landings. Be safe you guys!

My good pal Robbie Curtis, an LAFD firefighter, is the son of the late Howard Curtis, that was killed in Elsinore ('79 maybe) years ago. We were talking about him and Robbie stated he didn't have any old jump pictures of him and would love to have one. I told Robbie there are lots of guys on DZ.com that have great old pics and would inquire for him. So if any of you have a pic you can post it here or e-mail me. tsunamiskydivers@cox.net Thanks! Rich Grimm

Doing a nice hook and swoop on your new canopy is going to be not much of a big deal...until you have an off site landing. All of that wingloading, 270 hook,long swoops and other blah, blah, blah advice doesn't mean crap once you find yourself at 2,000ft a long way from a DZ. You need to be able to land your new parachute in an apple orchard, city street, backyard, baseball diamond or other such areas. All are places I have landed, like most long time jumpers, at many different DZ's. GPS ALWAYS insures a good spot. Good Luck.

I did a demo with Bobby V. in Hermosillo Mexico about 10 years ago. I saw him in Eloy about 8 years ago, he used to walk up from Marana, and sleep on the lawn in front of the Bent prop. What a character!

Just help Baker repo cars...

In response to many questions I have recieved. Check this sampling out. Thanks to Nick Kant for putting this together. There are a few slots remaining. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnkFeYDj3A

I was driving to the DZ today and almost crashed! KROQ in Los Angeles interviewed Travis this morning on the "Kevin and Bean Show". He said the scene in "Point Break" inspired him and the FAA said they would look the other way for this stunt. He went to Puerto Rico to pull it off, telling the pilot they were doing a Mr. Bill jump. It was a good interview, he is very well spoken, He never did mention his pals by name that jumped with him though, however gave them high praise. He also didn't mention how they saved him on deployment. The DJ's pumped his Thrillbillies show. I'm still here at Perris, and so far 100 tattooed wanna be's haven't shown up yet for "one last speed star of the summer, bra!"

There are two groups of smokejumpers, BLM and USFS. One uses rounds the other ram airs.

February 23-March 3, 2008 San Pedro town, Ambergris Caye, Belize Perris Valley's super otter to 13,000ft over the world's second largest barrier reef! Free "One Barrel" rum! Nightly parties! Jump over and into, and then SCUBA the Blue Hole! www.skydivebelize.com Beachfront hotels! Walk to the plane and boat back from the landing area!

Dave, Sounds fun. I'll see you there! I'll e-mail Ray and Chris in OZ and Irish Tony. You bring the Aspirin! Rich

tdog, I respect your opinion on the matter. However, we keep crashing jump planes at an alarming rate and folks keep killing themselves under perfectly good canopies. And how many jumpers have harmed our sport by doing bandit jumps into areas they shouldn't have? Or how about our PRO rated jumpers that auger in with thousands of spectators watching? The FAA has way more reasons to shut down skydiving if they wanted to, other than a chuteless jump. The other side of the coin is the number of young "Videoits" at home watching a stunt like that. They think it's SO cool and decide to come out to a DZ and make a leap. It's like the scene in "Point Break" where Johnny jumps without a chute after Bodie...do you know how many young guys came out to the DZ and wanted to do AFF after that???? And they ALL wanted to jump alone on their first jump. DZ's had a record year after that flick came out! So in the grand scheme of things I think our sport has more problems in other areas, and a little PR is a good thing. Just my opinion. p.s. Bill, you have a big set of brass ones, eh!

There are many things an untrained person can do to help a trained person at an emergency scene. Here is a list of a few things to do to help. I am posting this because a few years ago two jumpers with zero medical training helped save their teamate's life by following directions and staying CALM! Most times when someone fraps there is only one or two people with first aid training at the DZ (Murphy's law). To get a badly injured person out of the situation and in to an ambulance takes coordination. so remember, if you want to help... 1. STAY CALM 2. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS 3. Don't say you are trained if you are NOT A few other things to think of. A Basic First Aid class will give you training to be very effective at the DZ, an EMT certification even better. The most effective thing to do is coordinate with the local Fire/EMS provider and impliment a response system. DZ operators need to use the skills of their jumpers. Most DZ's have EMT's, Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, etc. that jump there. If any of you have any questions or need help with your DZ emergency plan please pm me.

During an EMT course a few years back we had a well known trauma doctor give a lecture on the subject of falls. During many studies over many years he concluded that an 11ft. fall is enough to kill the most fit person. Not standing at foot level 11', rather head level at 11', and hitting head first. I've seen enough fraps on my job and at the DZ to believe him. Pull your strings and PLF...

Wishful thinking on my part...tired of seeing my friends die...

We mooned Bungee as he took off from Perris to fly home. It was after the turkey twenty ways about 15 years ago.. His low wing collided with a high wing on approach to land. Here was a world class skydiver that couldn't get his rig out of the gear bag and on in time. The crash killed all involved...

The caravan that crashed had a hard shell two piece door that fit while the jump door was installed. I flew in that same plane to Belize in 2005 with Geoff Farrington and Dave Kaiser at the helm. It had 2 bench seats for the 4 passengers. My rig was under my seat but I doubt we could have gotten out in an emergency situation that was rapidly deteriorating... I don't know what configuration they were flying it in but I would imagine the hard shell was on for the weather. This just sucks...

We used the same Caravan in 2005 for Belize. There were two bench seats installed for the four passengers on that ferry flight. regardless of part 91 or 135, we have got to stop crashing jump planes. How we do that I'm not sure...

Thanks guys. I should have posted not just military but any old rounds would do. A friend of mine came to the rescue with a couple of old civilian canopies. Hell, even a few old ram airs would do. They just need a way to drop supplies for rescue missions out at sea and in the jungle. The military in Belize supports skydiving in an incredible way. I'm just trying to repay a favor or three!

I just returned from Belize after doing a demo jump for their Independence Day. The Belize Defense Force flies one Islander/Defender model that we jump from thru out the year. The commander has an old round they had donated to them by Andy Butchko, an old time Texas jumper still skydiving and living in Belize. I was wondering if any of you had some old gear to donate for doing some cargo drops. They don't have a helicopter and would like a way to get supplies to remote areas. I know a lot of you that lurk this section have stuff sitting in the corner of the loft/garage that would work. PM me if you can help. Thanks! Rich Grimm www.skydivebelize.com

I was just in Belize and jumped out of the Belize Defense Force plane for a demo. The guys have an old round they drop cargo with. The commander would like some old rounds and containers to use. If any of you riggers have some junk in the corner of the loft you would like to donate please let me know. Thanks!

About 10 years ago the late Robin Wilcox used to jump with his dog Pud. Pud seemed OK with it, but a lot of people gave him crap for taking the pooch jumping. He treated that dog great.

Jump numbers are very deceptive when it comes to canopy skills. Some people have one thousand jumps...some people have ONE jump a thousand times. If you are looking to downsize or purchase an initial canopy, speak with your instructors and coaches that you have jumped with. Also discuss it with jumpers you have been on loads with that have good judgement. Also realize your own abilities. Enjoy, there is nothing quite like that first jump on a shiny, slippery new canopy!

Gosh darn it, Airtwardo! I tuned in to tonights episode to see Batman pull off the Riddler's mask in Commissioner Gordon's office to solve a decades old mystery! Who knew Batman would run off to chase the Joker and Penguin before the last Colgate commercial...