Baksteen

Thankfully, mine are fully under control - provided I keep taking my meds. However I can vividly remember the last one (feb. 2002) when I idiotically stopped taking them. My thoughts are with you... "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I know how it feels dude, I know how it feels.. What are your 'tirgger(s)' or risk factors? How were you feeling prior to the seizure? Had you eaten? Is this a 'typical' seizure for you, or do you also get others? (I only get grande mals, which might or might not be preceeded by a lighter "blackout"which I never notice/understand the significance of) What medication are you taking and for how long? And knowing fully well that one might get.. complacent after a very long period that nothing's wrong, did you religiously take your meds or perhaps forget the occasional dose? That happened to me only two days ago.. Been kicking myself over that and now am keeping my meds in plain view of my bed, so it's the first thing I see after hitting the off button on the alarm clock. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

clicky Pay attention to definition #1. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

"All of Duckburgh was shocked when seven months after his rather rushed marriage Scrooge McDuck found a new use for his... pre-marital companion. edit: SFW "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

If I haven't got a life, then why'm I so busy? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

So? That makes it allright does it? Sometimes i feel too much attention is given to the rights of the (foster)parents to have children and too little to the rights of the child to have a good quality of life. I know there are lots of conditions foster parents have to meet, but still - some people are unfit to have children, natural or adopted. At least they put the bitch with name and surname in the papers. Good luck with life in prison. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Have them pay for the repack: yes. Any reasonable person would not think twice about paying without being asked. I hope. Same goes for stuff like lost freebag, handles and so on. Charge extra money just because they put an additional jump on the reserve: no. Think of it this way; you're getting the rig back with a repack that's [so many] weeks later overdue than the one you sent it off with. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Actually you should have been thrown off the airport for not buying beer "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

What of the tandem student who lands all wide-eyed and later signs up for a FJC? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

What? No thread yet? Guess it's up to me then... --- :9:0 I participated in a 4-way skillscamp at Texel, solving some major flaws in my basic body position, getting some tasks for the coveted B-licence signed off and having a great time allround. Jasper, Paull and Gary as well as all the staff at PCT, thanks (yet) again! Note to self, the local beer is waaaaaay too tasty.. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Guess that's "cultural differences again.. Over here there's wind restrictions for the first five jumps (6 m/s) and then for the first 200 jumps (9 m/s) irregardless of licence. You'll need a JM until you got your A, but as soon as you're done with your AFF levels or (for SL-students) freefalling, anyone with a B-licence can drop you. I wasn't personally targeting you, by the way, your statement - or rather my interpretation thereof got me started. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

People claiming that either method is superior to the other is a pet peeve of mine. Both methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to one another, and it depends on the student which is most suitable to their needs. A good instructor will be able to explain more clearly. Gotta disagree with you there. Every jump is "for real", mate.. Just that you are "cleared for solo status" got the "Holy A-Licence" or whatever doesn't mean you're done learning... As to gear, with the SL-method you're free to buy your own gear once you've progressed to freefall (here that's at a minimum of six jumps) if you feel like it, right? This has got nothing to do with AFF vs. static line. Also, in a country like the Netherlands, an AFF student MAY progress faster in the same amount of jumps actually MADE but on the other hand, if you start out late in the season (like I did) chances are that the AFF-ers are grounded while it's perfectly jumpable at 3500 so the SL'ers can grind on. (due to high uppers at 12k or an overcast at 6k f'r instance). Just saying..

"That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

You're uncomfortably close to the truth there, Pops... Caption "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

clicky "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Almost any skydiver. Fortunately, most of them aren't any better than I am - and at least it makes for interesting conversations. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Have fun "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I'd like to stress that the usual "I (heart)" is missing for a reason.. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

It's called "hitting the escape button" Seriously, some of the most...interesting dates I went on simply involved meeting up at some place and see where we'd end up (fully knowing as I write this just how wrong that sounds). These include a pub quiz, playing pool, the cabaret, theater, some really weird movie and dinner for two at some small but excellent restaurant in an Amsterdam alley I'm sure I'll never find again. Some of these were even with the same girl.. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

You're feeling drowsy...You're falling into a deep sleep...now sign over all your property and liquid assets to Bill EDIT: Oh, and Poe - it's a demo canopy "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Talking about pet peeves as well as what is turnoff #1 for me: Respective salaries aside, there seems to be a contradiction in your post. I couldn't agree more that it is wrong that you had to pay for everything, but the reverse is also true. A modern woman should not expect a guy to pay everything either. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Er.. what toupet? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Hey - Where'd Johnny go? Now how am I gonna know when to pull? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I too keep the tone carefully neutral a lot of feedback. So if it takes a given student three goes at an AFF level before passing it that may seem a lot of money - but he'd have to do all the excercises compressed in that one level with SL too - who knows how many jumps he'd need before passing that exercise... ten? fifteen? two?

I'm not an instructor and 200 jumps, despite how impressive it sounds really is nothing on the scale of experience, as experienced floks will agree. However, only two years ago I was faced with the same choice of training methods that you are. I found that as far as money (and only money) goes the difference between the two methods is how much cash you need up front. As I ssaw it, the advantage of AFF is that a student can learn a lot in a few jumps. The advantage of static-line is that it's more gradual, and having to repeat an excersice doesn't cost as much money. For me the perceived disadvantage of AFF (prior to even contacting the DZ) was not so much the money as the idea of in the same jump having to experience first freefall AND first canopy flight. Frankly, that prospect scared the hell out of me. So I chose static-line. One step at a time, gradually learning to fly the canopy and working towards the freefall. You on the other hand have already experienced freefall, and perhaps your tandem instructor even let you fly the canopy a bit, so you'll have different categories to base your choice on. Coming back to your question about the money, after the first few jumps it all balances out. AFF is more expensive but the tradeoff is that you learn more in less time (you can learn a lot even from "failed" exercises, as your instructors will indubitably tell you). Static line is a lot cheaper per jump, but your slower progression means you'll have spent the same amount of money - but over a longer time period - before you attain the A-licence. Good luck with your choice, which ultimately only YOU can make, and don't forget to have fun while working toward your licence. I've said it many times, a licence is not the ultimate goal in skydiving - having fun is. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom