MotherGoose

Thank you and sorry if I came across as pushy. I'm just a curious newb that wants to learn how to stay alive in this sport. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Well . . . the last fatality report was May 27th. But there have been some since. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I try to stay current on fatalities in the sport but i'm finding it difficult. DZ.COM is not updating for some reason, does anyone know why ?? Also, is there another reliable online source that's updated regularly?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Awesome . . . I just went on the niagara website, this is great news. It doesn't specify when they will be operational, but I assume it will be soon. I wonder how much rental time will be available for jumpers, because Niagara is a huge tourist center and there's no doubt that they will want to cater to them primarily. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

But would there be enough interest in a wind tunnel in Ontario to sustain it financially and still make the entrepreneur some profit?? I know people say they'd use it, but when it comes down to it, would the place actually make money, or fold up within a year ??? Tunnels are expensive to use no?? Something like 600USD per hour ?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

There's plenty of hot Tandem Mistresses out there, you'll never want to jump solo !!! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

That sucks . . . my DZ is not like that. Well not to a point. Experienced jumpers are always going to want to jump with other experienced jumpers because, after all, they pay for a jump, they want to get the most out of it. I hear what you are saying loud and clear, and it really is a major contributor to the lack of new jumpers who stay with it long enough to get proficient to jump with others and start having some real fun. On the other hand, there's always bandit jumps (not that I would know anything about that personally) You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Wuffos often think jumping out of an airplane is stupid shit. I agree with you diablo, we can't knock something because we don't approve of it or think its dangerous. That would only make us Wuffo's . . . but lets be serious here people . . .45 jumps?? This girl barely knows how to fly solo never mind being attached to someone for deployment. This whole thread is absurd . . . I can't believe we're even talking about this. Where the hell is the DZ safety rep. throughout all of this planning ?? Oh let me guess, he's the one asking here to do it ?? Ever heard of learning to crawl before you run a 100m dash ?? I think it applies here . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

That's unfortunate Kelp . . . I believe in paying your dues in this sport. If I spend the first few years of skydiving by packing different types of parachutes and learning about each of them, I think it will only help me to become a better jumper. For the record, I've been involved in the sport for 2 years now, but I only started my first jump course last July. I get my jumps in at a comfortable pace, no complaints here. Skydiving is not all about being in the air, that's only half of it. My ground time at the DZ is equally as important to me. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Nick . . . I respect what you are saying 100%, but there is a small misunderstanding. I work at my DZ as a packer, not an instructor or coach. I apologize for not clarifying that. I fully understand what you are saying because I had the opportunity to take the JM course by now if I really wanted to. I chose to wait until at least next year. I don't feel comfortable dumping S/L students out of a plane while I'm still wet behind the ears myself. Your point falls right in line with this whole thread. There are tons of experienced skydivers out there that could be helping newbies out and contributing to an increase in the number of skydivers, but they are unappreciated and underpaid for their time so they go into the areas where there is less stress or easier money. I don't plan on contributing to that at all. It's another one of the benefits of spending a lot of time at the DZ . You get to hear what pisses off all of the experienced skydivers and you learn to avoid it because you know that one day, it will be you who will be pissed off. "IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED . . . SKYDIVING IS NOT FOR YOU . . . " You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I smell a rat . . . I think you've all been taken for a ride . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Thanks for your synopsis . . . but like I said before, you get what you put in . . . that's it. You want to jump once a month, good for you. You want to jump 10 times a week because you can afford it, good for you. DO WHAT YOU WANT. I don't understand where you draw this connection with jumping too much making it seem like work ??? I do work at my dropzone and it doesn't even feel like work. I put in 12 hour days almost every Saturday and Sunday, and it still feels like a weekend to me and time off from my day job. I love being at the dropzone and being there more often has really paid off for me. To each their own . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

VERY . . . VERY well put . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Well Ron, after 3500 jumps, I can see your point, but I stick by my original comment, FOR NEW SKYDIVERS, hanging out at the DZ will make you a much better jumper. I realize some people can't commit themselves as much as others. All I'm saying is that the people spending more time at the DZ will progress faster, on average and get more attention from coaches and staff. (on average) You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

There's no doubt, that to excel in this sport, you can't do it part time. You can jump once every couple of weeks and take your time through the progression, but that sure as hell won't make you a skydiver. This sport can easily consume your whole life . . . and rightfully it should . . . this ain't soccer kids . . . every time you go . . . you CAN die . . . never stop learning. Most DZ's are a "keg" of knowledge . . . learn to tap into it. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Yah . . . by the time I get good enough, there should be a 1000-way record in the making . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

That's not even an ass-kissing . . . I'm completely serious. It worked for me. I mean, these people see new faces come and go every weekend by the dozens. The percentage of people who actually are serious about sticking to the sport is so low (hence the chat thread), that instructors are wary of spending too much energy on some dumbass who will quit after 5 jumps. (theres plenty of them out there) If you go to them, ask questions, and YES . . . buy beer, you show the instructor that you are not a 5 jump wonder and they will respond . . . unless you've come across "SKY-GOD", but that's a whole other thread . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I've heard several students and novices grumble about lack of interested coaches to help get them to a level where they an jump with others for fun. Dropzones can be a lot like high school. The cool kids stick together and the newbs are left on the outside. I find all of the staff where I jump to be willing and helpful, but then the circumstances aren't always right to get a coach like busy tandem/solo course days or lack of aircraft days . . . If its not one thing its another. I recommend all students and novices spend some ground time on the DZ, get to know the instructors, buy them a freakin' beer, listen to the stories at the bonfire and really get involved in the DZ. So many Newbs just show up at the dropzone unannounced at like 6pm on a Sunday and then get mad and storm off when they've sat there for 3 hours and couldn't get in a plane because of no instructors or slots. You have to take the initiative at a dropzone if you want to progress. Instructors/coaches are not wandering around looking for coach jumps. You need to go to them and give them plenty of notice. You'll get your jumps in, just try committing yourself to the sport a little more. IT PAYS OFF, TRUST ME. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers . . . I respect everyone's needs to feel comfortable about jumping. When I got my "A", and stopped using student/rental gear, I started using a friends spare rig with no AAD. At first it screwed with my head, but after 3 or 4 jumps, I can't say that I'm bothered about not having one. This opinion may change in the near future when I get into situations with more "traffic" in freefall. There's no doubt that the pros out-weigh the cons with AAD's. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

. . . or will it . . . hmmm . . . the debate continues . . . ZZZZZzzzzzzzz You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Now that's funny . . . I've only seen 2 students at STI that were black. But most recently, we've been getting a lot of East Indians coming out for tandems. This has been a white male dominated sport for a long time, but the tides seem to be changing. I just hope more women stick through their student progressions to get their Solo CoP's. The bonfire is always a sausage fest . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Pretend or not, you sure make it look good . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I've read various horror stories about checking your rig and letting the handlers abuse it. I would definitely take it with me as carry-on and BIGWAY's idea is an excellent one to avoid excess fees. I'm sure you already thought of this, but if you are flying with your rig . . . make sure your AAD is turned off !! There's been a couple of mishaps like that as well . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

We are on the same page here, but the point I am aiming at is this . . . if someone gets hopped up on coke or drunk and goes for a jump and the jump kills them, does that make skydiving dangerous ?? That's an extreme example, but its what I mean when I say skydivers make skydiving dangerous. Of course skydivers have advanced the sport, and yes there have been actual "accidents". But what about the fatalities caused by poor judgement or bad decisions? Those, the sport could do without. Kinda like drinking and driving. Alcohol doesn't make driving dangerous, until you mix the two. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I remember reading that when it first came out . . . its an excellent article and comparison of the dangers of driving vs. skydiving. Anyhow, if you want to live forever . . . buy a bubble or something . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.