dayle

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Everything posted by dayle

  1. dayle
    I think PD recommends not taking the canopy to terminal for the first few jumps on a new line set. But other than that, I'd do a couple of high hop & pops to play and feel it out and then go from there. Dayle
  2. dayle
    Hi all, I'm trying to figure out what video camera, still camera and camera helmet I should buy. In terms of the video camera, I think I'll stick with a Sony but I'm not sure what model I should get. With regard to the Still camera, I've hear the Cannon digital rebel rocks but would like other opinions. Lastly, I need to figure out which camera helmet I should get. This is the part I'm having the most trouble with. I want to mount everything on top, no side mounts. So what are your experiences and what would you recommend? Thanks, Dayle
  3. dayle
    Auto Insurance probably won't cover it, it wasn't your auto that was stolen. If you have Property Insurance that should cover it. As to making a claim, you should talk to your agent to see about the ramifications but with Replacement Cost coverage, I'd be running off to order a brand new everything for the cost of my deductible. Hmmm $500 deductible, how much does a new rig, main, reserve, AAD, helmet, gloves, alti, jump suit cost.....................Especially if you are replacing an old rig. Love to trade my old round reserve and Tomcat in a old racer container for a new Javelin with a Katana and a PD reserve. I"d put the claim in in a min. Dayle
  4. dayle
    Hi Nick, sorry to burst your bubble, but that is not true at all. For example, if you leave the keys in your car, car running while you run into the store for smokes and someone jumps in and steals it, it's covered. If you leave your gear in the back seat with the doors unlocked and someone steals it, your property insurance will cover it. (as long as you got a decent policy) Dayle
  5. dayle
    LOLOLOL, you should be able to tell when someone is joking. But I got a real kick out of you telling Bill Cole that he just gave the worst advise ever. Dayle
  6. dayle
    I did AFF right from jump #1, I knew I wanted to skydive and I didn't like the idea of a Tandem at the time. Now however we use Tandem progression at our DZ. One thing you mentioned which we do differently is that after your three tandems, (first one fun, second and third working/learning) your next jump is basically an AFF level III release dive with two instructors. At our DZ, I don't think ANY instructor would take a student up for the first time on their own without having a 2nd instructor to help. Someone else mentioned video. Nothing assists instruction more than video. It's really good for some perspective too. Later on when you have a couple of hundred jumps, you can look back at your first few jumps and laugh at yourself and see how much you've improved. I does make for great memories. Dayle
  7. dayle
    Well, I had a hard opening that compressed my T8 Vertabrae. The exact diagnosis was a 20% wedge compression fracture. This was just a hard opening on believe it or not, a stiletto. Dayle
  8. dayle
    Well you were right about one thing, having someone 20 feet infront of you in freefall while you are under canopy is a Scary, Scary situation. However, I must disagree with most of the answers given here. During anykind of big way, if you go low, you stay around the formation and keep trying to get there too break off. You track away at the same time as you usually would. The reason for this is other's in the formation will be looking for you. If you track away early, nobody knows where you are and it will cause problems for your other jumpers if they are constantly scanning the sky for you. I think the largest problem on this jump was the low jump numbers for everyone and the lack of tracking ability. Starting to track at 4500 and pulling by 3200 doesn't even give you 5 sec to track. It hardly gives you time to turn around and start your track. The good thing is you are still here to learn from the experience. Dayle
  9. dayle
    If you get your A you'll have a great time in the states. In the states, with a USPA A you can jump with others, no restriction on number of people unlike here in Canada where you can only do 2 way's max (with B license holders & permission of a coach or instructor) Most DZ's in the states will let you do what you want, however let your fellow jumpers know your experience level and go have some fun. Just be sure that you remember how to track!!! Dayle
  10. dayle
    Skydiving isn't the only place where this pops up. Before I started skydiving, I used to downhill ski a fair bit. guess what, there isn't much "colour" on the slopes either. I don't know what the exact reason is, could be socio/economic, but I'm not sure. Dayle Dayle
  11. dayle
    I did my first jump the summer of my 18th birthday. It was a static line jump from 4K. I did another 4 jumps over the next 2 years and stopped do to money and time issues. ( I also could never simulate pulling on the s/l course, I always was checking my chute first ) 10 years later a friend asked if I would go do a jump with him, I said sure, called up a couple of DZ's and found out about the AFF program. I was 28 and haven't looked back since. Dayle
  12. dayle
    I had a 20% wedge compression of my T8 from a hard opening. I had one the top canadian orthopedic surgeons go over my x rays. He told me there is nothing to do but rest until it heals. One difference is that he told me spinal injuries do not heal at the same rate as normal bones. He said to avoid putting any strain on my back for 18-20 weeks. he then asked if I smoked, I said yes and he said 20-24 weeks as smoking affects bone density and healing. He also said it would be up to a year before I felt completely better again, (it took a year and a half) I waited about 18 weeks before jumping again and I am now fine. Hope this helps. Dayle
  13. dayle
    Well I voted no, which still seems weird to me. I smoked a pack a day for 17 years. But now, I'm 7 weeks without a smoke and counting! Dayle
  14. dayle
    It's true that you have the right to confront your accuser, however remember that is later on in a court room, not at the side of the road. Dayle
  15. dayle
    Well, I may not have the number of jumps that you have, but I have to disagree with you. After re-reading my post however, I guess I have to clarify. The Tandem doesn't actually go up, however depending on the student and the instructor, not all Tandems fall straight down. Some have a slight turn going on, some have fall rate changes due to the body position of the student or instructor that make it different then simply docking on another skydiver. What I had in mind was a particular tandem that I was going to dock on was "buffeting". I hadn't seen that before. As I was approaching it seemed like they were moving up and down about a foot or so. It was no big deal as it was easy to compensate for, however for a junior jumper, it might not be quite as easy, hence my post. Dayle
  16. dayle
    Sometimes doctors will err on the side of caution, I injured my back a couple of years ago (compressed vertabrae) and one of my doctors said I shouldn't jump again. So much for his opinion!! Take what wuffo doctors say with a grain of salt, however look at it this way, if the meds say don't operate machinery, I wouldn't be skydiving. If they effect your judgement or co-ordination, don't skydive. If your feel that the drugs have no effect on you on the ground and you want to try a skydive, do a hop-and pop first, see if the altitude change bothers you. I had a head cold for a couple of weeks so i just did hop & pops from 3.5K. Dayle Needless to say, I
  17. dayle
    I wouldn't even think of joining a Tandem until I at least had 200-300 jumps. I know the "requirement" is 500 jumps however that guideline can be "bent". The key is being really comfortable and in control in the air. Tandems do weird things in the sky, such as moving around side to side and up and down. You have to be able to match this, and keep your eye on the video guy etc. If you want to do it before you have 500 jumps, you should have superior flying skills on your belly. Also you'll want to do some jumping with your Tandem masters (regular jumps) so they can see your level of experience and so they would feel comfortable flying with you. Remember, it's their ass if anything happens. Dayle
  18. dayle
    Thanks for the replies and the help. The skydiving weather site is fantastic and I've bookmarked it for future use!! I'm really glad I checked before booking my flight for this weekend, doesn't look promising. However, now I can look for a couple of good days and just go jump on a plane. Dayle
  19. dayle
    Does anyone have a web site that will track the weather at Z hills? I'm going to be coming down sometime in the next two weeks but would like to check out the weather so I can pick the best time to come down. Thanks Dayle
  20. dayle
    I will agree with you that a 97 is a really small canopy, I was just using it as an example, however, jump numbers alone don't mean alot. Experience is really what counts. When I had 50 jumps, I started flying a Stilletto as my main canopy, it was loaded at about 1.1 - 1.2. I bought my canopy from PD through a dealer. My instructor was fine with me flying it, so was my DZO. They just told me to be carefull until I got used to it. 450 jumps later, I'm fine. I know in this instance I may be the exception to the rule about people injuring themselves, but I dont' think you should go soley by jump numbers.
  21. dayle
    I think it would depend on the person, for example, if you are selling a say, 97 Stiletto and the person you are selling it to is around 100 lbs, I don't think it would be a problem. If however the 100 jump wonder is a guy who weighs around 150-160, I would definitely reconsider. Dayle
  22. dayle
    I used ski goggles once...... Unless you keep your face directly into the relative wind, they will come off at freefall speeds. It was January 1st, I was jumping from the Cessna, stuck my head out to check the spot and the googles were pulled away from my face. I exited, pulled them back on and kept face down, no more problems. It was -20 C. which is why I decided to try them, but IMHO you'd be better off with just a regular pair of googles. Dayle
  23. dayle
    Like everyone else, relaxing in the air is key, however did you get video on your jump? I found that having video is the best teacher, (besides a good instructor). Your instructor can tell you what the problem is, but actually seeing it for yourself really helps. Just keep at it, listen to your instructors and have fun! Dayle
  24. dayle
    The bottom line is you pay for the pack job, not the opening or the result of the opening. If I have a problem with an opening, I tell my packer, but I do not blame them for any ofthe results.
  25. dayle
    You don't want to fake your address or lie in any way on the application. Even if you pay into it for years, the insurer can and will go back to the original application and if you lied about anything they will deny the claim. Move to N.Y., even if it's for 3 mths and the policy would be valid. To anyone else, it's better to get your coverag prior to starting to jump. You can then honestly say you've never skydived before on the application. Good luck, I got my coverage before I started jumping and it's not an issue for me. Dayle