danornan

Just love it when someone comes into a room, tosses a hand grenade and then walks away, to see the reaction. Might not be a troll, but he sure is acting like one! Dano

Obama, releasing oil is just like his presidency - Image over substance! This makes it easy for even his supporters to see his true color. Dano

Just read the latest incident report and it sounds like Ground Hog Day..... My condolences to all of the friends and family. Without any details, it sounds like the same old thing, another high speed landing incident. Dano

I would also add landing down wind.... Too many have died thinking that into the wind was the only way, regardless how high they were when they turned into the wind. Most of the time, you can land down wind standing up. Occasionally you might slide or do a PLF, BUT, (no pun intended) no one reads about you in the incident reports! Dano

You definitely know your own body. If I'm feeling miserable, the last place I want to be is in the air or at the DZ. Rest and Yukon Jack on the rocks.... I just wouldn't chance a clogged sinus or head cold for just another skydive or hop and pop. The personal injury risk verses 3 minutes in the air, to me just isn't worth it. Dano

I don't understand people jumping /SCUBA / skydiving when sick! You infect all others around you and can possible get yourself in worse shape. Is the airplane on fire? Is someone holding a gun to your head? Come on, it's not the fate of the free world. Give yourself a chance to heal and everyone will be much happier. Dano

Mine just took about 6 weeks! At least I hope it's back.... Planning to jump this weekend. Dano

I know how important chest straps are and routing them correctly is never to be taken lightly. I also know a number of people who have accidentally not cinched them correctly. In previous days, when altimeters were located there, they found out about a mis-routed chest strap when they looked for their altimeter and it was not there. I think that body position on opening and a correctly fitted container are more important. I'm embarrassed to say that I know from first hand experience and a slightly used 20+ year old altimeter is somewhere in the swamp near the Z-Hills DZ. Dano

It seems that millions, no billions believe in a fantasy world. How is this any different? All religion is a fantasy. This is just a different spin.. Dano

Only one answer - Z-Hills! Just because it is my home DZ has nothing to do with my answer.... There are coaches, great people to skydive with most of the time and fun in the evening, if you are into that and a tunnel 1 hour away. Nothing wrong with the other DZs and they will be fun to visit too. Dano

It depends upon what YOU want to do! What type of skydiving are you into? How many jumps? Fun jumps? Team work? Tunnel ? Got to answer a few questions first... Dano

All good, except that most of us who have been in the sport awhile, have a pretty good feel for the problem. I still don't think that it is as complicated as some would like to make it and I have a question that might help to address the cause and that is: How many fatal canopy collisions occurred in the LZ when you were jumping round canopies? My experience with a round is very limited, as I started in the mid 80's, but I'd venture to guess that the number is quite small. I still feel that if landing were more controlled, by the DZO, like what I've heard at some DZ out west, we might all be safer in the LZ. A solution to the problem does not have to be complicated to work. Dano

Welcome to all of the new Tampa Bay skydivers.... Hope to get to meet you'all soon and make a few skydives. You are getting started at a great DZ and have a lot of fun ahead of you. Always be careful and think safety. Landing safely is becoming an important part of the sport and not something to be taken lightly.. It's always better to take a long walk back then to be carried a short distance. Z-Hills is a big LZ. Dano

Had two Spectre's, 170 then 150... Liked um both. Demo'd the Storm and loved it. Much like a Spectre, but one on steroids. Real quick toggle input reaction and much better wind penetration. Dano

Several trips in the past few years, Tampa, Chicago, Ontario, Houston with no problem. I keep container in a small bag by it's self and have never even had it removed. Lead is also in the bag, but I put it thorough separately with no problem. Dano

All good suggestions. My point is to jump with communications and know where you are so that you can assist or direct EMS. I was there and know of the difficulties. It's not necessary to make it complicated. Just have a simple one page map/diagram of the DZ and surrounding area in a jump suit pocket. Landmarks are helpful, cell phone with the necessary numbers. In an emergency, time is of the essence. If I had to leave the injured and look for a phone or manifest. a lot of time would have been wasted. Dano

I suggest a cell phone with the local DZ's manefest number and a good map/diagram of the surrounding area with landmarks highlited. I was the first one on the scene of an accident last week and because I had my cell phone with me, I was able to call manefest. We landed out of the normal LZ and I did not know exactly where we were in relations to the DZ nor was a able to know the best way for EMS to get to us. This is a suggestion to skydivers who are new to a DZ and maybe for organizers of big ways for all participants to emphasize.. Don't wait for another remote accident. Dano

Well, watch the gliders at Z-Hills... They manage to land in the pattern, the correct way and are not prone to unexpected behavior. If a glider can enter the pattern, so can a parachute. Dano

All this play with words.... Bottom line is that religious fanatics killed 12 people because someone somewhere burned "their" book. Words cannot describe the idiotic actions fired up by religion. Dano

Part of the problem is the plan, (how to land and the direction) making it simple to understand and then following it to the letter. Too many times I’ve been in the boarding area and someone says “first one down sets the landing direction.” This in its self creates a problem when two different people think that they will be the one to set the direction. (Could this have been the situation in Perris this past weekend?) Or Someone says, “Landing direction is to the North.” And then here is what happens. As the first one down lands to the north, the winds change, and “everyone” knows, because it is “common” sense, to make a mid-air correction. Now some follow the instructions and some make a change. To me, if a DZ has a predetermined pattern that is strictly enforced, making up a “right now rule” in the boarding area is not necessary. Everyone will know that the pattern starts below 500 feet and you enter it where ever you happen to be and land accordingly. You might have to, land downwind or cross wind if you decide to “get into the pattern” or else you land out of it, anyway that you determine is safe. But you are not in the pattern traffic where a direction of travel is expected and predictable. We will still have problems with one canopy overtaking another, but at least, you won’t have to worry about someone hooking it in or coming at you from the wrong direction. In the past few years, I have watched several canopy wraps and last year, was almost taken out by someone coming at me, below 200 feet while I was getting ready to flair. We need as much PERDICTABILITY in the LZ (landing Zone) area as possible and in my opinion, creating a pattern, and sticking to it, regardless of your own “common – at – time- common- sense” will go a long way in reducing these collisions on landing. Changing an agreed upon rule on the fly or at the last minute is unexpected by everyone and creates confusion. The rule must be simple, POSTED in the boarding area, easily understood, and followed by all without exception. IT MUST BE ENFORSED! Dano

I'm sure this will generate some ... um ... lively discussion here, but to make sure USPA hears your thoughts, comment on the link above as well. If #8 is ENFORCED and followed by all, including the sky gods, the number of deaths will drop. Don't swoop in the pattern. Be predictable. Airplanes MUST follow a pattern. Why can't skydivers? Dano

Sorry :-( and thanks for the correction, It should have been L & B for Larsen & Brusgaard. I have considered a visual, but an audible would be less cumbersome. What I have seems to work well except as the batter gets weaker, the volume drops. My hearing is not the best and I wear a Z-1 helmet, so a visual might be in my future. Thanks all for the input. Dano

I am looking for the LOUDEST audible Altimeter that is available. I have an L & M Solo 2 audible altimeter and for the most part I am pleased with not only how easy it is to use, but the really great customer service I have received in the past on the companies products. It just seems that the Solo 2 is only loud when the batteries are very fresh. As they age, over a period of several month, the audio drops. Anyone else with this problem? Any solution other than to replace the batteries more often? Any recommendations for the LOUDEST audible altimeter? I generally use earplugs and that has not seemed to be a problem. Dano

Previous posters have told you how to do it - I am hoping that you have discussed the safety aspect of this jump with others who have just a little more experience than you. There are things that can go wrong because of your rigging and it's a good idea to know these before you jump. Dano

As Bill said ----- I'd be a whole lot more worried about the ICE in your soft drink than the lemon (scotch probably kills most of the germs when mixed with ice) or the shopping cart. Just stop touching your face and wash your hands more that once a day... Dano