Scrumpot

Okay, so what was it about your gear here, in the first place that apparently caused the premature? So far, you are also not not actually "reporting" very much either, about this "actual incident". Do enlighten us then, so that others can potentially learn and avoid. Glad for you that your injuries did not turn out to be, clearly much worse than they are. ...C'mon out to Delmarva soon, and I would be happy to personally provide you with that back-rub. Any time! Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Can I clarify "pull higher"? ...Sure, maybe something you may feel is a little higher (if need be to make you feel more "comfortable"), but let's say your alti busts RIGHT OUT THE DOOR, then certainly not right then ...in ANY case. Would you concur? I am not a TM (nor do I want to be ), but the one thing I sure do know is that I most certainly wouldn't want to be dealing with any random (and especially low-time) do-do head flying about underneath me under OPEN CANOPY as I'm screaming towards him in (less than optimally manueverable) drogue-fall! MarkM, I hate to sound like a hard-ass about this, but seriously, ...30-jump wonder exits, gets stable, does his "COA" (remember those? ) ...Notices "OH SHIT" my altimiter's BUSTED (or heck ...flew-off)- - - "end the skydive" (ie: dump right then & there) is WRONG and most certainly CAN be an issue. Not only just for TM's but ANYBODY who may have been in either a group, solo, or otherwise have been following this jumper out! This would only (and UNNECESSARILY IMHO) INCREASE his/her potential for peril/incident. And then not only THEIRS, but OTHERS (as noted potentially behind them) as well. -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Pssst.... Bottom line, I've got news for you... An altimeter breaking, not working, never working, "Disintegrating upon entry into the windstream" -WHATEVER IS NOT A FRIGGIN EMERGENCY SITUATION! DOH! Even for a "30-jump wonder". No one ever said (legitimately) that you have to hold out until the ground looks really, REALLY "BIG"! If, ...and yes even by just 30 lousy jumps, you can't tell the difference between dumping mega-high (like 8, 9, or 10-grand) versus being REASONABLY safer between that and impact, then you probably should rethink about even jumping out of that plane in the 1st place AT ALL. C'mon dude... be real here. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Did you ever stop to think that maybe it is HE (she) who did not "want" YOU? Hmmmm.... You're too "easy". In all seriousness though, based upon everything you've said, including in your follow-ups... maybe this sport quite simply is just NOT for you. It's not for everybody, ...and that's "okay". Good luck and best of wishes to you though, in whatever you choose pursue. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I don't know where you jump, but one thing is clear with this statement/post, ...and that is THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T GET AROUND! I'd say that the preponderance of Sport Jumper/Dropzone payment arrangement systems calls for some form of payment/cash UP FRONT or on account before you jump. ...And get easy "refunds" for what you don't use? What sort of fantasy/la-la land do you live in?? I've got jump tickets, BOUGHT, UNUSED, yet FULLY PAID FOR I assure you (and non-refunded) from SEVERAL dropzones across the country, in-hand to this day. You need to get out (and around) a bit more, methinks there Kelp. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

So, let me break this down/get all this straight: As others have already said, it happens all the time ...get used to it! Certainly nothing you BLAME the DZ for, can you? Would you prefer rather that they took you up in conditions that were UNSAFE? However, because you drove 2+ hours and now had to sit & wait, you set yourself up to be cheesed-off. Who's (attitude) problem is that? Do you think that the DZ enjoys any more or less than you NOT jumping/actively operating/accomodating you? After all, for many of them, this is their livelihoods! ...I say GOOD ON THEM for having the fortitude and the RESTRAINT to NOT taking you up in either marginal or questionable conditions (clouds? ...wind??). There are dropzones out there actually that WILL. Maybe you would be more happy there? ...Think about it though. In real terms and actuality, I think NOT. They gave you full disclosure here. At the time of request, I'm sure they probably also meant it ...to DO THE BEST THEY COULD there too. However, remember now, you have just waited the entire day, I'm sure that you were (probably) not the ONLY students (and/or tandems) there ...and when things did finally "break", it probably did become a mad scramble to accomodate as much as they could. They would not have necessarily noted any names at the time of request for only 2 of you, because in ideal conditions they would not have needed to. Come time closer to when you would jump, ...again if conditions (BEYOND THEIR CONTROL) were better, I'm sure they then would have asked, and just as they said ...even then NO PROMISES, but I'm sure they would have tried to accomodate you! That's pretty standard. But depending on how you made your booking/paid your deposit(s), that probably should have been disclosed/known by you at that time too. ...Was it? Again, it sounds like you ALL (including the DZ itself ...who was picking on just YOU?) were subject to some less than ideal conditions, granted. But also it seems as if the DZ did do its best to get you all accomodated! I know it's natural to want to "do your entire group together" on the same load, and get exactly the same instructors some of you had before, etc. etc. ...but sometimes those requests just can not be accomodated, and those expectations on your part are just not well ...to be blunt REASONABLE. Did you have sufficient pre-jump (orientation) time to actually plan any "learning objectives" with your TM? Did you set this up with the DZ in advance as anything more than just "another tandem ride"? I suspect here that instead, NO ...Because YOU all decided you were going to hang out to the last possible even dire possibility of even getting your jump in on THAT DAY, that the very 1st time and only time this even came up/was mentioned was probably AS you were meeting your TM/gearing up/meeting the plane. Again, please ...I don't mean to sound so uncaring ...I too wish your experience REGARDLESS OF REASONS/reasoning was a much more pleasant and enjoyable one, but I do just want to also try to get you to also THINK/consider the other positions on this too... and that is, under these CONDITIONS maybe there just wasn't sufficient time (if you were going to/JUST HAD TO get your jump in TODAY) to go over a body floght/body position, then canopy opening and control/flight sequence with you SAFELY? Did you consider that? After all, they did offer you the rainchecks too as an option. It is YOU who held out, against what it seems to be both advise (and odds) instead for THIS option. Sounds to me here (again) like they actually did a pretty darn GOOD job, under clearly not the best of conditions, overcoming both weather obstacles and logistics adversities to actually accomdodate you all ...and you still are "complaining"! YOU are the one that "stuck it out" even though you were given options. Of course you were tired. Bored though? Who's fault was that? Seriously. Glad you at least feel better now that you've gotten your rant off your chest. Maybe though, (just MAYBE) some of YOUR expectations, and how you set YOURSELF up here though, were just a tad bit unreasonable (and IMPOSSIBLE to be fulfilled in the 1st place by ANY DZ under the conditions/circumstances) too? All the above being said (and most of it just for "effect" trust me there ) the DZ and the DZO still should CARE about your experience/satisfaction. If you give them a call and REASONABLY discuss this with them, you should at least get an empathetic and considerate response. If you don't, then maybe you do just need to take your business to another dropzone that will ALSO give you that much too. Have you given them that opportunity, or is your position/feelings on the matter intractable? Hey, and in all seriousness, ...I do hope that my (albeit "hard line" or "tough love") post does actually for you too, in some way HELP! Blues Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Disclaimer: I am no doctor, and any qualified medical advice SHOULD be taken to/from qualified medical professionals. However, that said, you ask: Yes. In fact all 5 of my lower lumbar (L1-L5). I don't know/wouldn't necessarily say it is "common advice". I suppose it depends upon both the severity, and the alignment/location of the compression(s). A less than 5% compression with no mis-alignment will PROBABLY cause no concern, and in many cases can even go entirely unnoticed by many who would not even realize they suffered the injury. That said, a back injury is NEVER anything to be fooled with, and jumping can ALWAYS WAIT! What sort of follow-up do you have set for your daughter for this? Also, if you have any concerns further at all, see another doctor, if not even a qualified specialist (such as an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon) for a second opinion. In my case I was very fortunate to not require surgery (my max compression on L1 was 15%), but I was out of the sport for a good 9 weeks, and probably "pushed it" even at that. Be sure your daughter heals/has healed FULLY before she returns. And get it verified (follow-up visit/X-rayed). Being anxious to get back in the short-term would not be worth the potentially long term complications of not being SURE/absolutely safe about that. Hope my anecdotal input is of at least some help/insight. Feel free to PM me if you'd value any further personal experience/details. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

If it is truly THAT BAD, as you have portrayed here, then you (or SOMEONE) needs to ASSURE it does NOT! Do not sit idly by, and "allow" this to happen to someone else. You did well. You survived. The "next one" might not, and if then ...how would you feel then. You've shown the fortitude (stones) to post about this publically, so don't SQUANDER that! ...Again if all you say herein is true, now show the stones to also follow through. Seems as if you have enough mates even just on here who have responded in kind to (who should also) back you up. Good job in your (so far) handling of a potentially nasty situation! Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I could vouch Sparky, for at least a part of that statement! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I knew that someone would catch on to that. Thank you Ron, I LOVE you too! HA! Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Every now & then after breaking off from a formation & tracking, if I find myself right directly over some familiar landmark (like the packing hangar or what-have-you) the thought will enter my mind briefly that if I get absolutely nothing out, I will SMACK right in, RIGHT THERE.... X. Hasn't happened yet though, knock wood! Every now & then I'll think the strangest things at different intervals sometimes too. Like what if I were wearing women's underwear today, just for some sort of sick joke, and I pounded myself in? Hmmm.... But I digress... No worries, your fleeting thoughts, unless you ever find yourself either freezing due to them, or fixating on them to the point you can't function, are otherwise perfectly normal. ...Relatively. Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Thank you RL, for posting that. There is also another article out there somewhere (I can't seem to find it right now ) from back in Keith's passenger/commercial days receiving commendation for saving a crippled Dash-8 and it's contingent of passengers, as a right-seater taking the controls over for the capt during a severe emergency landing scenario. If there's any way to also find that and link it here, it just goes to show that even the absolute BEST of us, can have a mishap. I do not know any of the particulars to this specific incident, but did think this was worth posting none-the-less. There are not many people I would personally and unequivocally trust my life to in pivotal situations without question, ...but Keith May is one of them! BSBD Juliet Whiskey... We've been waiting a LONG time for your return, and we do hope that you will be able to return with us soon, to the skies! -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Okay now, here we go getting off on one of those tangents that Gentle Tiger feared. But I just could not resist! Please be very Careful/Cautious/Wary of this! ...unless you happen to know the golf course, and/or particular hole/layout/topography very well. What could LOOK like very nice "runways" and swoop-ponds at "alt" ...Only once you have committed and then left yourself no options (ie you are actually upon them) could in fact turn out to be ANYTHING BUT! Please, whenever landing "out" ...Unless pre-planned and pre-"scoped" ...land SAFE first and leave these thoughts/non-sense out of the equation. -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Please clarify this for me. ...When do you think that this is? After every "successful" main deployment? Only "SOME"? ...And Why? I'd like to know what your thought process is on this statement before we delve into it and consider it a little more. I'm surprised that nobody else has yet remarked on this statement. Maybe it is me who just misunderstands what it is though you are meaning? So if you could please clarify for me on that, before I say any more, I'd appreciate it! ...Are you saying that once your main deploys, you are then pulling the quick release, and disconnecting your RSL? -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Yes. ...Don't put yourself in that relative exposure to be there, under THAT reserve as such, IN THE FIRST PLACE! Like I've already seen SEVERAL of these nice people try to HELP you (advise you, TELL you ...whatever you want to call it). But if you apparently already have all the answers and the "comebacks" for yourself, then why do you continue to ASK? As someone else ALSO has already said, just "carry on" then. Unfortunately it seems, and as YOU have even yourself pointed out (if not simply just reinforced/illustrated here)... your attitude is typical. Some of us just desparately wish it wasn't. But I won't "debate" you. Your mind is quite clearly already closed. Hope you survive. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Unfortunately though Dave, I have absolutely no doubt that most assuredly, someday he WILL. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Or "Toggle", as I assume you are referring to the "break fire" line. Thanks Phree, for the perspective. -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

HA! ...Word. Welcome to the club! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Hey Greenies... UNLOCK THE RHINO MASOCHISTIC (he started it himself) BASHING THREAD!! This is BONFIRE after all!! ...and I was just STARTING to finally find a way to have some "fun" in here. ...Drats!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I LOVE YOU Wendy!

Well, Exxxxxcuuuuuussssseeee MEeeeeee! Like I said, and I "qualified" it. Not much new under the sun I know. There's always somebody posting SOMETHING up that we've all seen before somewhere it seems. So what are you, the "DUPLICATE PICTURE POSTED HERE PATROL"? Who cares. Lighten up. Sorry if I "pissed on your cheerios" with this. ---LOL!!! Yeayyy!!! ...I've FINALLY gotten the opportunity to say THAT to someone else!! I LOVE IT!!

And no... NOT appropriate (necessarily) for either the S&T or General Skydiving forums. So, posted here. This pic was sent to me recently by a friend. It's the 1st ...ahem... "pre-second" time I've ever seen it. If this has been "circulated" before, then my apologies. However, I just could not resist. It's gonna be a CRAPPY weekend AGAIN out east. Blues, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Nearing Derek? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

P.S. ....Who was that guy in the yellow jumpsuit anyway? Mel Stiller?? Someone else tkae another look at that & tell me he doesn't look like ol' Mel Stiller ...LOL!! Man, am I dating myself now though or what, eh? For MOST of you out there..... Yes, that would be BEN Stiller's dad. Of Stiller and Meara (sp?) fame. SHIT, I just looked at it even AGAIN and I can't help but to see that. Man ...just cracks me up!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Actually, I think we're pretty much just posting back-n-forth nearly SIMULTANEOUSLY "at" each other! By the time I clear my reply screen, either somebody else has already "gotten to you", or you've replied with the answer. ...My bad. That's the problem with thinking these things are a linear "conversation" sometimes. Most times actually, they're NOT. ...Again, my bad. ...And it does look like you're "getting it" (albeit with a little extra "prodding" needed ), so maybe I just need to back away from the keyboard for a bit, and give my tired aging bones a rest. Hey, you've actually been one of the good ones! Trust me on that. I've kinda secretly been waiting for the quasi-threatening or "get off my back" PM's to start, but I do have to hand it to you... you've been a "good sport".