MotherGoose

I believe you are merely fishing for personal experiences and actual individual examples, since we are all aware that there is no clear cut universal answer to any of these questions. So . . . personally . . . - my family thinks its "interesting" but would prefer that I found a less dangerous hobby. - for the longest time I would have told you that skydiving is a relationship-killer, but recently things have changed for the better for me so the jury is still out on this one. Ask me again when my girlfriend has endured a whole summer where I spend every weekend at the dz. (they usually don't last that long) - at first, I got very distracted from my career and I found myself daydreaming a lot at work. But eventually, you settle down a bit and start focusing on the mundane again. (if your job survives that long) - there have been multiple threads on dz.com regarding skydiver longevity in the sport. I agree that there are certain points where we lose jumpers, and I believe I am coming up to one of those soon (approx. 200 jumps) There will be times in your skydiving career that you feel like quitting for various personal reasons or external pressures. It will be up to you to LEAVE or TAKE A BREAK, or just ENDURE. Overall, family, friends and coworkers are all pretty amazed at first and fake interest in your Monday morning story sessions in the beginning. But, eventually, they all start "avoiding" you on those days when you have that look in your eye like you want to talk about your last jump, or show a pic/vid of the weekend. They just don't understand. They never will. Don't kid yourself. Jumpers and non-jumpers are very different beasts. You develop a DR. JUMPER and Mr.Hyde lifestyle. When you are around jumpers, you are one way, then around whuffo's you wear a different mask . . . or something like that . . . Hope my personal experience helped . . . I haven't posted in a while, I was going through DZ.com withdrawal . . . EDITED TO ADD : you will become an amateur meteorologist and that annoys the hell out of the whuffo's . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

This is the only "formal" definition I found : Wikipedia . . . Swooping is the discipline of making a high performance landing. "Swoop", an extremely exciting, but dangerous skill which entails a fast speed approach towards the ground, and then levelling off a couple of feet above the ground to cover as much distance as possible (as much as 600 feet), in a fast horizontal swoop. A modern parachute or canopy "wing" can glide substantial distances. Elliptical canopies go faster and farther, and some small, highly loaded canopies glide faster than a man can run, which can make them very challenging to land. A highly experienced skydiver using a very small canopy can achieve over 60 mph horizontal speeds in landing. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Excellent advice and great info Bill, thank you. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I have a question regarding this topic . . . If you are doing some relatively small RW (2-10 way) and you lose a jumper who dropped low on the formation, does everyone not go to the low man ?? I thought its easier for all the jumpers to recognize that one jumper is low and get to that person and build the formation again, since it is MUCH easier to drop than it is to rise. At least thats what I've learned about smaller fun jump RW ..... You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

So, the opening weekend has come and gone, and the DVD release party was a hoot !! Thanks so much to all who attended, I hope you enjoy your FREE limited edition copy of Furious Angels, complete with complimentary motion picture soundtrack CD. I love saying that, it makes it sound more professional. Now, there may be 1 or 2 spare limited edition copies available from opening night, so if you are interested, we would love to send it to you . . . anywhere for the guaranteed low price of $0 dollars PLUS shipping and handling. As was originally discussed, no remuneration is required for the DVD itself, but you'll have to fork over the shipping costs. We just want the exposure, and ABOVE ALL the FEEDBACK . . . Please PM me or email me for a copy. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen, its been a hell of a ride. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Puppy . . . you dog . . . you're not supposed to give that away. This project is strictly for the good of skydiving as a sport. Eule . . . I'm using the same version of Firefox, it has nothing to do with it. Like Brettski said, its a Macromedia Flash Player from Adobe, just make sure you have the most up to date version, and you should be fine. I've been meaning to put a lower res version on skydivingmovies.com but this week has been brutal. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Being a packer, you should relate to this article even more so. I don't believe anyone is flaming you here, and I think you have come to the realization that Jan is 100% bang on with the production line comment. We all know full well when the mat gets busy, and impatient jumpers are getting a call for the next load, the pressure is on and the packers, while still "packing" safely, may not do the prescribed amount of safety checks that could discover something as miniscule as a loose grommet. I don't care about the age of the article, I find it to be very applicable to this very day. I love your money people, but if you want to feel 100% safe about your gear . . . PACK IT YOURSELF. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I'll have you know that there is nothing angering, ruinous or damaging about this video, if I'm taking the word inflammatory in the context that you had intended. This video could very well save lives. Humans are a unique creature, we seem to learn best from our mistakes. The ones where shit goes wrong but no one dies, well those are probably the best kind of mistakes to get through to people like myself who admittedly would have never thought twice about Hypoxia until I saw that video. Don't REGRET that jump . . . teach others the valuable lesson you learned from it, and USE the video as a learning tool for God's sake !! Everyone planning a High Altitude jump should watch YOUR VIDEO and thank you for it to boot . . . cheers . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Congrats . . . this will only improve business for Aerodyne. I've been considering a rig from Aerodyne, and this definitely gets you brownie points. I've heard nothing but good things about Skyhook and I've seen the test footage, its pretty amazing. One little bit of info has escaped me though, and I did not want to start a whole new thread . . . Does the Free Bag generally stay connected to the "cutaway" main or do they end up separating once they are loose? Sorry if this hijacks the thread, I hope there is an easy response. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Been busy, the big day is on Saturday . . . To everyone : do you have a good year end video from your dropzone?? Recent or from previous years ?? Something that you are proud of and feel that it has got some quality jump footage ?? I would be very interested in seeing the work of other DZ's for a year end compilation. Whether it be a web link to YOUTUBE/SKYDIVINGMOVIES or even a DVD that I could purchase from you, I would really like to see whats out there, please let me know. Thanks . . . . Im gonna get shitfaced this weekend . . . and I dont care who knows it Edited to add : DVD cover art . . . see attached You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I hope the DZ you jumped at has some forgiveable "OUTS" !! I counted well over 1 minute and 40 seconds of exit separation on the same jump run from the time the first group left until the girl in red exits. WTF?? I must say this . . . THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting this video. From the first day I decided to become a skydiver, I've been anticipating a nice high altitude jump to get a feel for a nice LONG freefall. And as noobs, we hear about the use of oxygen for the higher jumps and it all sounds very exciting and fun really. Never once, until seeing this thread, did I have any respect for the dangers of hypoxia. I always knew that it could happen, but the "it'll happen to the other guy" mentality took over. This thread, and especially, THAT VIDEO are incredibly important wake-up calls to someone like me. So thank you again. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Im glad you appreciate the effort involved. We really worked our asses off sifting through hours and hours of footage and trimming down tons of GREAT video to keep it within reason (35 min.). Its really important that there was 3 of us who dedicated our spare time to this and worked as a TEAM. Brettski - We are using the new Adobe Video Bundle, worth a whopping $2500.00 !! We're not screwing around with some cheap software here . The software is so amazing, but half of our time was spent figuring out the millions of options that you have. I look forward to starting another project. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Great flying, but can't forget to compliment the camera work. Keeping the target in the middle of the frame is so important in skydiving. Good job !! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

We've already been discussing this issue to some length. At this point, the movie is small potatoes, but if we were to partake in another project of this or greater magnitude, we'll definitely have to look into licensing and legitimate distribution. If any DZ out there wants to ship us a crate of all their footage, we can put together a year end video and have it legally produced for distribution. Not sure what all the costs would be like, but its definitely possible. Thanks for the insight. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Peter, so eloquently put, I don't think James, Marc or I could have encapsulated the video any better. It really truly is nothing but a video hommage to what really counts in skydiving to all of us who are there at the DZ every weekend, dedicating all of our spare time to this great sport. Its not about the fuel costs, the tandem takeover, the delayed loads, or whatever else we complain about all the time . . . its about friends, coming together to make a DZ great. I'm gonna go have a cry now . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

BUYING ?? I thought the word "FREE" stood out in a paragraph like nun in a whorehouse? j/k . . . yah, this is a fun project for now. We're really using it as a promotional tool for our dropzone, and trust me its working amazing so far. Its a little bit of Advertising-101. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

ZEEMAX - there are always licensing stipulations involved in these things. This movie is completely not-for-profit and we only plan to distribute "A FEW" copies to some "FRIENDS". Scoop - The embedded player is a flash player, if you would like more information on using such a player, please contact Editor James Fraboni, known on here as MUFFY. He is the mastermind behind the website. As for the lack of footage in the trailer, well thats the whole idea. We can't let you see too much . . . Jumpkid - YES that was a DASH-8. A few months back our DZ was asked to participate in test-jumping some tandems, static-lines and fun jumpers out of that big bird. We've been cleared to include some footage from that day now that the cat is out of the bag and Skydiving magazine did a full page feature article on us in this months issue. (Some of the pics featured are mine, its a proud moment - thanks to Rob Price) To the rest of you, when the DVD launches, we will do our best to send out as many copies as we can. If you drop me or James a line, we'll see if its feasible to send you a copy but you'll probably have to pay the shipping. THanks again for the interest people, it makes all the hard work worthwhile. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Thanks people, that made my day! The music is composed by a gentleman named Rob Dougan, his album is called Furious Angels as well (yes we stole the title, we couldnt resist). If you Google him you'll find his stuff. He's best known for his work in the musical score for "The Matrix" trilogy. As far as our movie goes, we've used a couple Dougan tunes in the freefall sequence and it could not be better, I highly recommend this guys music for skydiving movies. Im so glad you all enjoyed the trailer, when the DVD is released i will let you all know how to get a copy, we're trying to keep it totally free but that may not be entirely possible . . . we'll have to see . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Hi all . . . wondered if anyone out there provides a service to make professional skydiving videos from hours and hours of raw footage. There's this little project some friends and I put together called Dirty Low Pull Productions, but we're just screwing around at this point. Have a look and let me know what you think . . . http://www.dirtylowpull.com We've produced a 35 minute action packed DVD from a collaboration of footage at our DZ from 2006. The end result is pretty good and we had a blast doing it. If anyone is interested in a full length feature DVD, you can contact me and we'll see what we can do. If you are local you can get one for free easily at our opening weekend at S.T.I. on February 17th. The site comes complete with a blog and message board also, but its still in its infancy. Also, when viewing the movie trailer, its best to pause it and let it buffer a bit before pressing play again. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I knew it was too good to be true. The pic showing the guy inside the ball seems scarier to me though. Just the thought of being trapped inside creeps me out. I know you said it breaks easy, but still. I think I'll keep my next goal at pontoon jumping. The ball jump will just have to wait. (LONG TIME) You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Not gonna lie to you . . . I'm at work and I'm kinda chillin. I think I would probably not venture to do something like this, but I'd love to be on the load and watch first hand as the carnage unfolds !!! You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

*BUMP* Its Hump-Day . . . I'm bored, found this in the "way-backs" . . . thought it was cool . . . any one tried this since ? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Well, now its the wednesday blues . . . . by the way, nice quote. But it should be : "Make something idiot proof, and the world makes a better idiot." .... is it Friday yet ?? You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

Im no expert but, arent winters in South Africa pretty "balmy" ?? As for us Northern folks, we can relate pretty well to your comment. That first jump back after a couple of weeks or more off, the adrenaline kick is ridiculous. Almost have trouble packing after the first jump because of the shakes. LOVE IT. You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.

I second that . . . its Monday, I'm at the office and all I can think about is skydiving. Monday blues suck . . . You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed.