Ms.sofaking

I knew that would come back on me! He still has 41 lbs on me "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I agree it is not up to the teacher to make that decision. But, I think it's up to a teacher to recognize a problem, and guide a student to make that decision for themselves. I don't believe overcoming our faults is impossible to achieve. But when those faults are becoming a danger to yourself and others, I don't think skydiving is the proper format for overcoming them. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

So jump after jump, injury after injury if the students desire is strong enough, do you think they should continue to seek better coaching?And hopefully they find that right teacher before they kill themselves or someone else? I could have a strong desire to be a professional football player, at 5'-7" 130 lbs, do you think if I find the right teacher I could do this? Or, is it possible I just wasn't made for it? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I think there are different reasons people don't start out well in the sport. And many great skydivers who struggled at first. The woman I spoke of seemed to panic, at high altitudes(8000-6000ft).She was going down wind towards concrete and froze.What happens when shit hits the fan at 4000ft at 3000ft. I think if you are someone who is panic stricken and frequently deploying unstable, because of it, And often injuring yourself, it is possible you can not be taught, nor should be. I think it's an instructors job to recognize this and to have that talk with the person. I'm too new to start running around pointing fingers at who belongs in the air and who doesn't, it's not my place to say. You could be really bad at golfing and still play for years. If someone is endangering themselves and others how many jumps is that acceptable for? 50? 500? Until they die trying to "get it" I don't think everybody is capable of everything. But, I flew my canopy into a building on my first jump. So who am I to say? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

If there are no metal or physical limitations I would strongly disagree here, with enough self motivation from the student and "The RIGHT" teacher, pretty much anyone CAN learn anything*** I strongly disagree here. Our DZ just had woman with 30ish jumps who was "not getting it" The most motivated I've ever seen.She had broken her ribs from deploying on her back at 6000ft.(which makes me think that was panic) She had a hard pull and ended up under a reserve at 8000ft. We all had been talking. A few weeks ago(breezy day) I knew at 500ft she was in trouble as she did her downwind final.No Flare. I watched her body bounce across the concrete at probably 30mph. I was shocked when she stood up. She didn't know why her landing went bad. Being a new jumper myself I didn't feel I had any business judging her skills. But I felt if something happened to her we would all say "I knew that was going to happen" Another jumper talked to her about why she was jumping and led her down the path of deciding to stop on her own. I think we owed that to her. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I think I'll take your advice on the video. It probably would help. It only took watching myself one time for me to get forward movement. But lucky me. Our wonderful coaches don't charge for that! I love my little DZ!

That sounds great, but slow down. I am from a small cesna DZ. Wow, talking about budgeting coaching dives and extra for video is foreign to me. I don't believe anyone at our DZ charges for that. But many of our coaches are instructors and busy with AFF. No wingsuits at my DZ. I'd love to gain the skills to fly a wingsuit. Thanks for the warning about the bird people. I'll remember this if I ever meet one. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I'm just trying to work on getting lift and maintaining my heading.It seems like I can do one or the other. It's really the only skill I want to get down really well before I move onto other stuff. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I am currently working on improving my crappy track. When I was breaking off to track I felt like I had to frequently come out of my track to check my altimeter. I'm doing solo tracking dives until I get it. It was sugested to me to wear a chest mounted altimeter. This way you can more easily check your altitude while remaining in a track. Although I end still checking my wrist out of habit, this might be helpful to you. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Jarrett, You talk about flying underneath fellow skydivers. And people here say that's different, because a Tandem Passenger doesn't know the risk and has no control. Would you be willing to explain the risk to them in laymen's terms. Give them a choice. Tell them I would like to shoot your video from underneath you. If my parachute were to open unexpectedly you will almost definately be injured or die. Parachutes do sometimes deploy prematurely. You will have no control of the situation. Or I can stay in front of you, so if this were to happen you will be out of harms way. Perhaps you could include a special waiver. I understand that in the event of a premature deployment(which does happen) I will probably be injured or killed, because I choose to have my video shot from underneath me, instead of infront of me where I would be safe in this event. Although it is not the best angle to shoot a tandem video, I would prefer this method, as I am feeling slightly suicidal today. Why not give the passenger a choice? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

To bad that isn't common knowledge "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I don't care if you are sober or not. You crack me up. I'm sorry you left another forum feeling so abused. I do think however, the discussion you are talking about was about a disrespectful comment made after a fatality. And as you know, people need to argue about what is and isn't respectful after someone dies.Common decency isn't a trait everyone possesses. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

That's one of the best posts I've seen. Although I have never known a man to research the consequences of calling a woman a "stupid fucking cunt" before doing so. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

*** Act like a kid be treated as one, act like an young adult man get treated like one. Part of being an adult is being able to admit when your in the wrong.*** Agreed "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Oh what could you possibly know? You've only been jumping more than twice the years he's been alive. I don't think we should be upset with a child for behaving like a child. The adults he jumps with should realize, no matter how many jumps he has, he still has the decision making skills of a child. Who is really at fault here? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I thought maybe if he observed adults discussing youth and how we learned through time we didn't know it all, he might realize no matter how many skydives he has, shooting video belongs in the hands of mature responsible people. That's why I replied to you instead. Just trying a different angle. I understand your frustration. It's hard teaching a child who knows so much more than you. I don't know if he is old enough to understand, that in the years you've been jumping, plus the years you've been alive, might equate some degree of cumulative knowledge. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Come on the issue isn't the quality of the video. My guess is he'll be a hell of a camera man someday. The issue is safety. And the bigger issue is the safety of a passenger, that while they signed a waiver. probably don't have a clue nor a choice of the risk he's adding. I think the risk he's adding comes directly from his signature line. What does he know? He's only 16? If I still possessed the knowledge I had when I was 16 I would know more than you too. He is quite an accomplished skydiver for a 16 year old. But, obviously is a child who is allowed to make decisions regarding tandem passengers lives. The greater concern might be the TM allowing him to do so. I'm glad people's lives weren't put in my hands at 16. And I hope he learns that he still has much to learn, before it kills someone or himself. This is not about skills as a cameraman or skydiver. It's about responsibillty. I have an advantage over him, learning to skydive at 34, while he may be a better skydiver than me, I came in with the knowledge that I don't know it all. I can learn from people such as yourself with more experience and people more experienced at life in general. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I don't understand why all BASE jumpers don't have an e-vest. You don't have to deploy anything. And, you can fly them into walls and they remain "stable" You don't even have to steer them. But it does sound like the option to turn low is there for the non experienced pilot. I can't think of a better system to escape a building except maybe a rope with some knots in it. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I noticed Tom did this. I understand this completely. I think should you ever walk in the shoes of a widow or parent who has lost a child you might change your opinion on this one. I don't know Tom's personal story, or why he seems to have such insight to the needs of family left behind, but he does. I think the letter is a way of truly looking at the impact your death would have on your family. And provides answers to questions your family may need. It is not obessing about death. Do you consider having a will or life insurance obsessing about death? You seem to have changed your philosophy after a death hit close to home. I am sorry for your loss. You might also have a different opinion about the letter if it should happen to your spouse. Losing a spouse is something you cannot begin to fathom until it happens to you. I know I could not have. And although my husband did not leave such a letter, we spoke of the possibillities. I want you all to know, coming from a grief stricken wife left behind, the letter is a good idea. And anyone questioning the letter should make the effort to get the opinions of family who has suffered this loss, as I am not alone. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

This is something I believe after my first jump my instructors changed the way they stressed NO LOW TURNS UNDER 500! Before getting on the plane my instructor and I discussed this. He did say if you are going to hit an obstacle you can make small corrective turns. At 1000 on my down wind I lost radio contact. I went long. Now at roughly 500 feet everyone is screaming "LEFT TURN!!" I turn left.Now under 500 feet on my base leg I am heading straight for a building. The screams get louder"LEFT TURN!! LEFT TURN!!! I pull ever so slightly (about a 1/2 inch) on my left toggle. Nothing. All I know is people die from low turns. I pick my feet up to get over a parked plane and then stick them out and flare as I smash into the building and fall to the concrete below. My husband then told me how to do flat turns and to practice them up high. My next jump I did this enough, that I was comfortable doing this low. I shortly there after got myself in a position(my fault) where I needed this skill at '50 and used it comfortably and sucessfully. I think it should be taught. Instead of just randomly pulling on toggles to see what the canopy does up high. I think flat turns are the first thing a student should be practicing. A student pulls high and has plenty of altitude to work on this. I had flat turns down pretty well in one jump. Whenever I jump a different canopy it is still something I practice on my first jump with it. I think "small corrective turns" needs to be elaborated on. Remember your student typically has never flown a canopy before. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I guess that's the end of that discussion. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I have had very mixed emotions about the list. I have read it from beginning to end. I visit it on occasion. I always pause at #103, take a deep breath and scroll on down to #104. I start to cry and I want to scream at Nick "he is more than a number on a list! He is my husband! #104 is Joe Lathrop, the love of my life!Wonderful Father to 3 children! The kindest, funniest, sexiest, thoughtful, most remarkable, beautiful man that ever walked the earth!#104 is where my life stands still. Where my future ended. It is the shattered remains of all my dreams, my hopes, my happiness, my heart, my world, my everything. NOT a number. And I cry and yell at the world for awhile. Then I dry my tears, and take a step back. I think about "why" the list is there. Joe, knew about the list, and certainly never wanted to be on it. But, if one person reads his story, and learns from it, than it is quite possible, his story may have kept someone off the list. That is what he would have wanted. As a future BASE jumper, the list is very sobering. I believe it should be read by anyone considering BASE. The only suggestion I could add if it were to be changed. Because, everyone feels so different, and it is so personal. The public or media should not be a concern, they don't have to get it, or approve. Maybe if a spouse or close family or friends have strong feelings about their loved one on the list, a photo and or name could be witheld out of respect for them. There may be BASE jumpers themselves who have expressed they are opposed to the list. I think the wishes of the people it is so personal to should be considered. As much as it pains me to see my husband there, I think you do a good job, Nick. And I'm sorry the list keeps you busy. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Nice choice for landing area.So, is BASE for you? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Hey, both you bastards, do you always use a tailgate on every jump? I've not heard of this. And don't you increase the likelyhood of a mal if it doesn't open? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks, I'm not much of a hop and pop jumper.But with my new canopy I plan to start doing some.I won't call for a cut.I happen to have the strength to climb out without a cut, so I won't have to take up another sport.