NovaTTT

Wild necklace, man. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

William Penn www.lgamerica.com "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Talk to the DZO about cross-wind jumpruns. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

+1 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

If you're selling custom rig/reserve/aad at that price, I'll take 10 - better make it 20 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Yes, it is possible. Asking your question of your DZ instructor(s) or S&TA is your best option. S/L might be a better choice than AFF, but that will be for you and your instructor(s) to decide. Are you healthy? Are you fit? A history of CVD, arthritis or osteopathy might be limiting factors. You can always work on slimming down and/or increasing your fitness level, even as you progress through a student program. Your jump school should have student gear that is appropriate for your size (H/C and parachute, including reserve). If not, there are other DZs that will have student gear appropriate to your size. You might have to do some research to find the best DZ for your student progression. It is important to discuss these issues with the DZ staff. After completion of a student progression, there is plenty of gear from which to choose. Those options and choices are better considered then rather than now, but know that the choices are there. Good luck and have fun. Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

$$$$ It makes sense to USPA. What has USPA done for you lately? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

RW accomplishment awards. Falcon/Double Falcon were 4-way awards. The Falcon was for a formation that turned at least four points; the Double was at least eight. Eagle/Double Eagle were 8-way awards. The Eagle was for a formation that turned at least two points; the Double was at least four. Edited for clarity. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

If one attempts to avoid a roadcheck, one should expect to be stopped and investigated. Most roadchecks have chase cars along approach routes to intercept those who attempt to flee, discard contraband, etc. The reasonable appearance that you attempted to avoid a sobriety checkpoint constituted probable cause for a field detention and investigation by the police. That field investigation, however, doesn't include the right or entitlement to search your vehicle, unless contraband or obvious evidence of a crime or criminal activity is plainly visible (ie, drug paraphernalia, burglar's tools, etc.) The field investigation should consist of a basic interview and sobriety tests. If you fail the tests and are arrested for DUI, your vehicle will be searched subsequent to that arrest. I would not consent to a search because I have no reason to - I have nothing to hide but I will not consent due to the implied suspicion of a search. A Miranda stop, or field investigation, is a legitimate detention and as citizens we are duty-bound to comply. But the Constitution provides us with guaranteed freedom from unreasonable searches and seizure, including the seizure of our person, so a Miranda stop cannot go on indefinately. One should always, by the way, when stopped, at least know who made the detention and with which department the officer is employed. And in the end, you probably won't see your SAK again but there's no harm in contacting the Sheriff's department of the county you were in and asking them to look into the incident to get it back. The worst that will happen is you will still not have your SAK. Good luck. (edited to add "due" and change to "SAK") "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Done "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I'm very sorry for your loss. We will pray for your comfort and peaceful eternal rest for your Shannon. God bless you. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

There are some who would disagree. I wonder, however, what is the point of the OP? You said in your original post "Skydiving is my goal, my dream, and something I want to work hard at", and "I was offered to just come to the DZ on weekends anyways and maybe learn manifest, for less than minimum wage. I'm sorry but my time is better put to doing things like yardwork, fixing up my house, spending time with my family and friends, etc" Through this thread, it sounds like you are complaining about not having the money to jump but wanting to do so. It also sounds like you passed up on some opportunities to work and learn and are getting upset that others are pointing this out to you. If your OP is only to find "Has anyone else had to put their dream of skydiving on hold due to finances? " the answer is yes. People have put their skydiving dream (and actual skydiving) on hold for a number of reasons, including finances, work, family, injury, etc. etc. Your question has an obvious answer. If that's the only purpose of your OP, there it is. If the purpose was to get advice on how to manage life, money and skydiving, then read back through the posts and you will see a lot of good information that will help you find balance. The best advice (combined) is to do what many of us did: Get off your ass, go to the DZ and work. Work like you remember the goal-dream you want to reach is obtained through the work. You'll make money and friends, learn about the sport and grow in ways that you don't now see as possible. You may not want to make skydiving your life, or the center of your life, but if you want to reach your goal-dream, you need to make it a big part of your life. In your OP, you said, "I feel like I get pressured to make skydiving my total life, and nothing else but that's not reality for me, maybe for others, but not me. I want to maintain a balance between work, life, and my dream/hobby/sport of skydiving" Your desire to be a skydiver and your perceived need to minimize it's presence in your life appear to be mutually exclusive objectives. If you want to become a proficient skydiver you are going to have to put in the time - and the effort - and the money. Until you reach a point of skill and proficiency that allows you, as a low-currency jumper, to choose and maintain a balance between safe skydiving and the other important parts of your life, you will find that you will dedicate much or most of your leisure time to the sport. There are several ways to interpret the old expression: Shut up and jump. .02 Nova (edited to add highlight emphasis) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

No. If you're referring to "first among equals", this concept is perhaps most strongly demonstrated in early societies where a leader was chosen from among a group of equals. The leader did not become more than or better than, only the voice of, as it were. The early Christian church also followed this policy. The pope was chosen leader as a first among equals, and there were two equal popes - one in Constantinople and one in Rome. The Schism can be rightly considered due to, in large part, the self-perceived grandeur of one of those popes, but that is a different topic on which I will abstain. In America the ancient custom was brought to the continent and practiced by the earliest settlers, whom we today call "native Americans". There are myriad other demonstrations of this policy, but I use these examples because I believe they clearly illustrate the point. I hope my example is sufficient. Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

There is the valid and time-tested axiom First Among Equals. In this case, as in all exigent or emergency situations, the women (and children) should and ought to be saved first. .02 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

It's hard to tell in that photo, but her chest strap end appears to be floating unstowed. That doesn't seem to be an issue to me as much as is that her cutaway pillow appears to be the same colour as her harness. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I've found that the wiggle room or floppiness of the hackey or tube handle is the same and is easily dismissed through packing technique. It is my experience that an assertive pull and throw of the PC always gives good PC inflation and deployment. My preference for the hackey is based on the feel of the grab; I find it fits into my hand with a natural feel and I have never had a problem with the grab, which I have had with both tubes and pud/pud-style handles. Maybe it's just my hackey which is not that big - slightly larger than a golf ball. I agree that equipment should be examined, developed, improved, etc., but I believe that technique and skill has a greater effect on deployment than minor equipment differences. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Lazy or weak throws are not a function of the handle. Most handles, I've noticed, are hackeys, so that might have something to do with it. I don't see a connection between hackey and knot. What am I missing? The best way to avoid PC issues, in my opinion, is to jump a pullout and have a strong throw. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

My only skydiving dream has recurred a few times over the years. I jump solo and none of my handles will extract. As I get to around 100 feet I realize that I can fly as if I had a good canopy so I swoop and tiptoe land and wonder why I don't do this all the time. In my dream it feels perfectly normal that I can fly without an actual parachute overhead. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I'd like to know where you got this information. I'd also like to know how you pack your PC if you have experienced a wrap of the bridle with the handle. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Clicky Fixed that for you. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Carry your cellphone and some cash. Enjoy the jump. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Yes, it's a mistake to not turn on your AAD - but it's a small mistake. Jumping without an AAD is OK, if one so chooses. Jumping with it turned off is OK, if unadvisable. It's not Russian Roulette; it's skydiving. At your experience level you need the AAD. Nonetheless, as skydivers we should rely on ourselves, our skills and out training. The Cypres is proven reliable - but it's only a back up device and shouldn't be relied upon. So don't beat yourself up about not having your AAD turned on. Remember it in future. Work out a pre-jump routine and use it for every jump. Get a pin check before you jump. Learn how to give a proper pin check and give one if asked. Look out for others and they will look out for you. Frequently practice your EPs, visualize scenarios and keep yourself prepared to deal with issues, nuisance occurrences and malfuntions and you will almost certainly be OK. The AAD is a good thing, something we hope to and expect will work if we are unable to pull our reserve. But the lifesaving device in skydiving is comprised of the awareness, thought processes, the training, the experience: The jumper. Flame on. Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

It's better to have it in place when the chips are down, so it's where you expect to find it. I recommend using the finger strap. Also, you should wear it on your left hand (reserve-side), not your right hand (main-side). (edited to add parenthetic stuff) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Fixed that. Incorect. Group policies typically do not exclude them. And I thought it was a reference to individual policies - the extreme sports clause of mine which doubled the premiums. (edited to add bit about premiums) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Sunset load last night. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73