wildman2231

Definately when I was 18 and talked a friend into going skydiving. He pussed out,and we went to a friends to party instead. I want to go back in time and get out of the car and thumb it to the DZ. I could have been having THIS much fun for 20 years! I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Everyone at SGC has been very kind with advice and answering questions. It's easy to get coached jumps. As a new jumper,It's nice to feel a little looked after. With a good chill environment and friendly professional staff,whats' not to like? Blue Skies

Thanks guys! See ya there...if the heat lets up a little. Last weekend was great! It was so nice on my third jump to do nothing but cheese and watch alt. and check out the clouds! And watch a world champion diving below me! It was a little surreal. Hope to see you next weekend,or in 2 weeks...dam bills Ramen noodles ain't so bad...but sun tea beats the hell out of Tang! Was kinda wierd tho....I counted a full 6 seconds before I jumped...and watched her track straight up the line of flight!(although in a hell of a dive) and I was opening alot higher. It was really cool! I turned and did a short track 90* to line of flight and opened between cloud tops at 4500. It was a beautiful day despite the heat... See ya soon, Blue Skies... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Pretty silly really. I've raced cars,motorcycles.bicycles,skateboards,damn near everything with wheels. GUESS WHAT! SEATBELTS WORK! HELMETS WORK! BOOTS,GLOVES,PADS WORK! ROLLBARS WORK! (don't jump with this one) AIRBAGS WORK!..hmmmm. I believe in our right to choose in the good "ol USA. BUT IN AN AIRPLANE your ASS is the last thing I want to cross my mind in an accident. FAR's are right on this one folks. P.S.! YOU CAN LEARN ALOT FROM A DUMMY! Blue Skies..... edited to add:yea on the projectile bit! and have you ever wrecked anything at high speed? You'd wear it in the air with no vehicle, falling 120 or 170mph. But not on takeoff? And PLEASE! dont call me on your cellphone in freefall! It sounds like crap! I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

This is interesting. As a new "experienced" jumper at my dz,I want to work at spot landings. BUT, I have been told that I shouldn't go for the "X", because the guys like to swoop it. I'm usually between those guys and the tandems which exit last. And the tandems are going for the X for their tandem vids. As I usually pull higher, the swoopers on hp canopies are usually long gone, and I'm swivelling my head to keep an eye on tandems behind and or above me. I go wide crosswind or spiral to keep a good seperation. I will be the 1st one to land out a little. No problem. Suppose I get a new rig and want to swoop or go for spot? Is it ok to put a frisbee out there 100yds. away? I HAVE seen canopies to close for my comfort there,(like 8 at a time) all on approach not yards but FEET apart.(1 occasion). I understand race car drivers have that respect, BUT! they are'nt doing donuts in the pits. Having more than 1 spot to spot for could be really be a plus. OR would it possibly create a pattern conflict/hazard? I certainly don't want to be a hazard to other traffic and am aware of canopies around me. BUT! I worry about that guy as I gain experience, thats 200' above me, Is he doing a 180? 270? in front of me?,around me? I'm slow, he's fast...don't assume anyone is following the pattern I believe. I am aware of my ground speed and approach. YEP! I do S turns. Sometimes flat,sometimes I flare a little early or intentionally stall,then release to try to shorten my approach. Would it be ok if I bring my own spot marker? or frisbee? and place it aways away? I'm getting the impression that if I'm a new flier I don't or shouldn't land near the dz,regardless of my ability to do so unless I swoop or tandem? Should I land out in the beans?(been there). I hope not. If its ok with the dz I'll bring a frisbee and try to stay out of the way. Is this common to many DZ's? I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Hi,and welcome to the sport! I did tandem and recommend it. It's a real confidence booster. I envy your tunnel experience. Obviously you have many jumping friends here! My tips....Ramen noodles are much better these days,(more powder thingys to choose from). PBJ's always a classic. And garlic bologna is excellent for "special" occasions. All by candlelight! (because the electric bill was left on your desk on the way to the DZ). OH! The convertible.......It will grow a hardtop,and 2 more doors,(one door primer grey). BUT YOU WILL BE SOOO STOKED! Tell us how you do! P.S. the ramen in the styrofoam cups is better, you can just nuke em.... After you pay the electric bill Blue Skies... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

All of the above. Kinda funny thing though, I usually feel a little jitters at around 10k. Then take some deep breaths and I'm all smiles from the door on from 14k. I tend to find I'm in a state of concentration at pull time for alt. and stability. Then the silly grin comes back after opening. Been cheez'in like that since my 1st Tandem last fall! I'm a newb so I usually exit later in the load,makes it a little easier to see everyone else's whereabouts since I pull a little higher too. So I really enjoy the canopy time and less traffic to set up my entry which seems to help my accuracy. Ummmm...nothing I don't condsider "Favorite" I guess. Whats not to love? I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Amen. DSE,AMEN

Wingsuit jumpers can indeed fall at a rate high enough to gain enough forward speed to actually climb. Albeit passing through a given altitude the amount of climb being very very little, can actually swoop through a given altitude. Ask 1 who has done and or seen it. That and controlled direction constitutes "true flight". Same as for a glider. A parafoil with the right wing loading and no motor, can stay aloft indefinatly in the right cliff rise or thermal if all conditions are right. Controlling direction of "fall" also constitututes true "flight". There is a vid on skydive movies where jumpers actually climbed past point of launch because of lift generated by cliff updraft on base canopies. I'm pretty sure those base jumpers would consider that "flying" all science aside. I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

So sorry. Just starting this sport at the tender age of 42. I feel the consequences of my labors every day. I sincerely hope you continue to share your experience in any way that you can. I can also respect that anything less than a complete "cutaway" could be even more unbearable physically or mentally. I hope the best for you,family and friends. Maybe a little silicone or titanium? I have met a couple of "bionic people that jump"! so to speak. Hope you find a doc that could help you continue. Best wishes and blue skies... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Sorry I wasn't more specific. 18 to 22 was at 12k. ground was like 11 to 15 and variable. Guess it would be wise to add these figures to my log from now on,instead of just looking at the board at the DZ. Wind speeds are always posted for ground,3,6,9 and 1200'feet,respectively. Hmmm, Thanks,something I should log from now on!

I have a question here I hope you guys can help me with after reading this post. I have been told to never reach for the risers until the canopy is open. I was also told not to look up for the deployment until I feel resistance from the canopy as it is deploying. The reason being that line twists could trap your hands in case of a mal or twisting risers locking your head back. In either case resulting in injury or worse, hands tied up and not being able to deal with Ep's. Any comments greatly appreciated. Thanks guys. Blues... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

As I am learning,I agree with you and pops. In a RW group of 4 (for example) 180* and track off. The 2nd group should take into account that 4 people will be tracking at thier break altitude,on any given heading, and allow proper seperation time on exit. Also I believe that group 1 should have stuck to thier dive plan. I'm so new at having this drilled to me. I hope I never loose heading awareness even if doing a 4-way. And hope I don't feel "rushed" to exit. I like that where I jump,I only get smiles when I count or ask experienced divers,OK now? Being this new to the sport I hope I'm never so distracted by RW that I'm just another point in the star(as I'm just learning)to not be heading aware. I certainly have been in past student jumps. Also Have seen open canopies on previuos jumps directly below me,after opening.Although with alot of vertical seperation.(Hence importance of pulling on altitude) Especially after my unstable pull last week The pilot told us jump run heading prior to that jump,(not always necessarily directly into the wind) I'm familiar with the area, And the Jumpmaster coordinated exits by groups and pull altitudes. I hope I'm not wrong to think this is not standard practice at other DZ's. I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

I'm an avid bowhunter, and I did actually get 2 squirrels with 1 arrow....and had a witness. Exellent gravy with potatoes. I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Why do they call it AAD if it's for people with ADD? I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

LOL, Yea man! That sounds way wicked! Thanks for sharing! There's no such thing as to much information,thank you guys. Practically everyone is my mentor in this sport to me. The learning curve here is dam near vertical and I can't seem to get enough. Thanks again...Blues... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Let me clarify this for you. I WAS advised that I probably should not jump. MY poor decision. I WAS aware of everything that I did. The 18 to 20 mph winds were at 9k and up. 11 to 15 with small gusts at ground level. I WAS given exemplary instruction. And I WAS the one that made MY mistake. I posted for others to learn from it. Hopefully not like I did. I'm sure no else ever landed out in the 1000 acres of soybeans before,and 2 football fields from the target. THE POINT WAS that it was drilled into me to be stable at pull. The mistake was at pull time. I made the DZ fine and havn't not had a stand up landing yet. Walking downstairs isnt as soft as that Rig sets me down. I expect to get flamed here,but was posting for educative purposes,and to relate my experiences. By the way, I liked the posts about the dumbest things jumpers have ever done. Care to share your's? Also a rookie is a rookie for a FULL YEAR Be nice,Thanks, Blues... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Yea, I had pretty much zero penetration,but did use forward risers to get a little, my ground speed was right at zero or minus 1 or 2 mph. Next time I will sit it out and take the opportunity to learn packing. P.S. I collect swords and will never run for office. And if I see strange women lying near ponds, I'll be landing out on purpose! Blue skies... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Yes, I actually did wait and watch a load from the ground,all experienced jumpers with canopys with better penetration. And the wind died down, so up I went again. And in hindsight at 1000' per 4 seconds,I could have used 500' safely. And had good separation and eye contact with the closest jumper (my experienced observer). Thats the hardest part you see? I know exactly what I did Funny thing is it happened in about 1.5 seconds but in my mind it replays in slooow motion I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Thanks guys, An experienced jumper did follow me out to observe my jump and saw it happen. He was very polite and helpful, as well as wide eyed I also shared the experience with an instructor or two. One emphasized stable deployment,the other said as I was very altitude aware I could have corrected and my biggest mistake was rushing the deployment,which resulted in the nasty flip. Anyhow, I'm really lucky not to have broken my arm or dislocated my shoulder. Some advice I have also taken is to lay belly on floor,feet on couch, balancing a tennis ball on the small of my back and reaching for it. if you don't stay straight it rolls off. I will certainly be doing prcp's at home and in the air! Blue skies! I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

N/A

Well, did jumps 12 and 13 last Sunday. My first 2 off of student status. Winds were 11 to18 with gusts to around20-22. Jump 12 went fine with a half series and a ground speed of -2 jumping a wings ss 245. landed out a couple hundred yrds. I'm thinking, good exp. flying and landing backwards basically. Then I go up for jump 13. All goes well except for the 360* track :/. Then as I go to pull I get really dumb. I arch my spine to the right pulling my hip towards my hand as I reach to pull. Like I said,really dumb! I start to slowly roll to the right and hurriedly snatch the pilot chute and release it. It immediatly flies left behind me as I roll to the right pulling the bridle under the container and faster than I can say OH S**T I'm head down watching the lines run out down the back of my left leg. Immediatly the riser catches under the edge of my left armpit as I extend my arm to try to avoid getting it tangled. As the chute opens there is a loud Snap, and I do a back flip through the risers. Whew! I wiggle my fingers and everything works but my left shoulder is REALLY sore. I landed in the dz ok, but I'm really pissed at myself for going unstable right at deployment. I'm posting this here because I'm really lucky that I wasn't seriously hurt and learned a valuable lesson. It was MY FAULT! I was deploying at 4500'. I should have arched a little harder and kept my back straight. I had plenty of time to correct but didn't. Sooo,the second entry in my new logbook says I will be stable at pull 17 times, because I ran out of room. Bet I'm a stable pullin mofo from now on! My shoulder is a splendid purple! Be safe, Blue skies... I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Don't sweat it,unless she wants the house! Then sell it to pay for more jumping! No, really, sorry to hear things didn't work out. My GF bailed when I was at about my lvl6. She was that turned off by my jumping. To bad,she still calls and we're still friends but I dont see me ever giving up my new love(skydiving) or a reconconciliation. Besides,There's plenty of pretty women around the DZ. " It's not the days in your life that count, It's the life in your days that do"--Abraham Lincoln. *** Blue skies my friend I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

My appologies again...after some more explanation, from friends here and elsewhere, and then rereading your 1st response...so sorry. But as someone new to the sport, I hope you could see my distress...I just kinda felt "blew off" because of my lack of knowledge... Blue skies always....*** Edited to say ...lvls 10 and 11 tomorrow! I'm sooo way green I'm fine...crazy people don't know they're crazy...No,Really!

Thanks for the explanation. that makes alot of sense. I understand what you are saying..