ridestrong

Seems to just come naturally... That's one of the reasons why I prefer the Contour because there's no question about turning it on.. As for the snag hazard tho it's probably only slightly better if at all, as a bare mounted camera that is. So far the Drift camera mounts are the worst I've seen of the small format cameras... There is a new camera 'the Epic' which is about 1/4th the size of the Drift and looks like it could have some good mounting possibilities. I saw someone at the dz loose their mini Epic HD camera out the door last week... it was mounted with that dual lock but there wasn't enough surface area for a strong hold. It was his 1st jump with that camera I believe. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

YES!!! *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I'm sure I'm way behind on this one... but there is a part in CoD Black Ops where you get to BASE jump.

It's not about 'right and wrong', that's just the way you see it. I had the cutaway... but other than that I have not had what I would consider a true close call. I imagine every jumper in the sport long enough will experience some 'close calls' regardless of using a camera or not. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

That is great that there are resources out there... I attended a camera course a few months ago along with other informational/safety courses during a tunnel boogie we had here and thought it was great. Obviously you can't force people to attend or seek out this information. But, for those that are against making it mandatory in training or certification, you can't really bitch about the ones that don't get the training available. You just can't have it both ways. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

discussion is not a one way street, but we have hit the low road that goes to a dead end.... This entire thread has been turned into being ALL about me and not the subject matter at hand... it's sad really, but I can't expect any better here at dz.com. I'll discuss this all day with people like DSE, and BillV, but there are to many of you that can't stay on topic. If you just want to insult and scold me send me a PM. If you want to continue discussion give it a try. For those of you that think I'm looking for your approval or justification... your dead wrong. If you could read and comprehend what I've written in this post you'd see that I'm actually looking to make jumping with a camera safer and if anything I'd like to see more education available to those thinking about jumping with a camera. If you want to discuss that, great. If you want to continue with the petty little insults and bs accusations then go down the street to your closest grade school and have a back and forth with someone of a similar mentality. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Lets see BillV has 5500 jumps AFF rating, Tandem rating (Expired) , has jumped a camera, has had an issue already. You have 260 jumps and have already had a camera issue. Of the two.... Which do YOU think knows more about skydiving? Lets not forget that you 'created' a malfunction procedure that no one ever suggested. Why is it so hard to grasp that others have more knowledge/skill/experience that you? I hope you never have a close call, but since you are ignoring everyone who has had one.... You seem to be the type that will only learn from his own experience.... I just hope it does not kill you. Bill definitely has more skydiving knowledge, skill, and experience than I do. As for mental focus and 'forgetting about the camera', I think that is more a psychological issue. You keep saying I ignore everyone... but that is simply not true. Let me ask you something Ron... During an actual skydive how many times do you actually think about your main canopy in free fall, how many times do you think about your reserve handle? Let me ask you another question... if you had a student who could not perform a dive flow because they continuously looked at their altimeter every 2 seconds what would you tell them? *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Yeah bro... that was me bro... did it just for the sick shot bro... go read the entire thread, many wise minds posted there, you might learn something bro. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Why the soft reserve handles? *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

We'll just have to agree to disagree on being able to 'not think about the camera' during the jump. I am well aware of my equipment, and the camera is part of my equipment. But during the jump... I don't THINK about my handles, my RSL, my altimeter, my AAD, etc... UNLESS I need to. (I know some of you will have a hard time trying not to misconstrue that statement ) Getting "the shot" is of no concern to me. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

That probably won't happen. There are PLENTY of jumpers that have absolutely no intentions of ever putting a camera on their heads, its not the same as the water training. You're not going to get a shitty spot and land in a pile of cameras. No, but there are undoubtedly more jumpers that plan to wear cameras than plan on landing in water. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

It's YOU'RE, by the way. So you've mad this adult decision . . . STFU and stop looking for validation online. It's made... BTW genius!! *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Ooh, ooh, I know the answer! This is one of those fill in the blank word games, right? Anyone can look it up... I just opted to leave it out of that post. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I just wrote this email to the Director of Safety and Training at the USPA: Dear Mr. -------, I am writing you to propose developing a USPA regulated 'video safety' course for jumpers that wish to begin jumping with cameras. Any jumper, after passing the course could then obtain a rating. Or perhaps, as water training is required for a 'B' license, similarly video training could be required for a 'C' license. Currently there does not appear to be any required knowledge before jumping with a camera. Where as many are against further regulation, I feel this would be a step in making our sport safer for everyone in the sky with camera flyers. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Joshua Anderson #232118 ----- *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

I don't care about changing the SIM's recommended jump #s for wearing a camera, 200 is fine with me. But, I do feel that it would be reasonable (and probably even safer) to allow jumpers with a 'B' license to start wearing a camera IF they pass a 'video safety' course. Right now 200 is just a magic number and there is no 'required' knowledge needed to start jumping a camera. Fact is, more and more jumpers are wearing cameras regardless of jump numbers and that is not going to change. I don't see any of you anti-camera people doing anything to make it any safer. My proposal would be requiring a 'video safety' course. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

You tell me why law doesn't allow 12-year-old kids to drive... and then I will tell you why that comparison doesn't apply to adults and skydiving. Your right... I have made the adult choice to wear a camera. I understand the potential risks involved in that decision. As an adult I have developed the ability to assess risk and to appropriately respond to expected or unexpected situations that may arise. This thread was designed to ask a general question, "Do you think small format cameras are generally safe or unsafe???" Not about getting any dz.comers approval for me or anyone else to jump one. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

And maybe the penalty for discovering the hard way that you are affected by the camera when you're inexperienced is great enough to have it be a strong recommendation not to wear one when you're inexperienced. How many 12-year-olds can drive safely? How many drunk people drive home without getting into wrecks? Wendy P. Those are absurd comparisons.. and no I don't believe that cameras posses the ability of mind control. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Nice picture. And NO snag points either that is perfect. Wow!! you can control some camera functions while in the air with a wrist remote, that sounds great. That other person in the pic has a GoPro on.. I'm amazed that they can focus on holding that hula-hoop at the same time. Fixed it for ya... *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

There seem to be some people that CHOOSE to think about the camera more so than others. As I'm sure there are others that can 'turn it on and forget it'. I still only have about 20 jumps with a camera but I can say that with 100% certainty that I have never once been on a jump and thought, 'I gotta turn my head more this way or that way to get that shot' or anything of the sort. When I get out of the plane the only thing I'm thinking about is the dive plan, fall rate, taking docks, etc... (must be mad skillz right ) For those that plan on becoming jump videographers the camera, angles, light, etc.. are some things you may need to be thinking more about. But for the others that are just doing fun jumps with their buddies there is no NEED to be thinking about those things. If you are one of those people that can't stay focused on the main task at hand because you have a camera on your head, then maybe you shouldn't jump one. But that does not go for everyone. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Underwear- until they get holes. Jeans- forever, or until they get holes t-shirts- until they get holes dress shirts- until they get a stain shoes- until they get holes So pretty much until the get holes... with the exception of dress shirts. Why is it that I can wear my t-shirts hundreds of times and they never get stained, but all my dress shirts get stained within 10 uses. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

You missed the point, just as you've conveniently missed it for the last 266 jumps. At some point, conveniently missing the point will likely catch up to you. The skiiing video shows a guy messing with a camera and losing track of his highly hazardous surroundings. In other words, the camera is a distraction. There are similar incidents in several sports activities. Skydiving is not "special." Distractions are distractions regardless of what box you put them in WRONG--- Watch it again... He wasn't "messing" with the camera at all, and it had NOTHING to do with his accident. Camera was already on and both hands were on his poles. He clipped into his skies and immediately began to slide backwards, and because he was right on the edge he didn't have time to better position him self. Nothing to do with the camera... *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Oh... thanks for clarifying. I already skydive as much as time and weather permits. When I'm not skydiving I like to talk about skydiving, watch videos of skydiving, post about skydiving.... Thank goodness for these kickass forums, right...

Before you can comment on the long run, you need to be in it for the long run to start with. Even better, be in it long enough to see others start off and make it for the 'long run' so you can draw your conclusions for both your own experience, and what you observe from others. The 'fly your body' comments are notoriously from those of an average sized body. If you have ever worked with, trained, filmed, or mentored a jumper who was either above or below average, you realize that 'fly your body' is extremely short sighted, and not the path to success. There's a reason that camera guys and AFF Is say 'dress for success', and not 'fly your body'. Dave, believe it or not I went through my own experience learning to sit fly... Thankfully I learned quickly that I would be better off with a closer fitting suit. This guy will likely soon be learning to sit fly as well. I gave him my own recent personal account. Feel free to give him your personal account of learning to sit fly as well. I made a general comment that any half intelligent person can adjust or pertain to themselves... I don't feel the need to address every extreme factor in every post, that's what people like you are here for. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Get ready to be offended again. What are you, stupid? The amount of fabric the guy will need is based on the ratio of his height to weight, not the current trends in freeflying. Sure, the top VRW teams all wear the same, slim fitting suits. So do all the top RW teams, and what do all of those top athletes have in common, they're all althletes, and in top physical shape. If any one of those guys was to pack on 15 or 20lbs, their slim fitting suit would be hing up in favor of a more baggy option (or the guys would wear weights). The point is that what this guy should wear is anyones guess without knowing his size, and the size of the people he jumps with. If he makes 90% of his jumps with his 100lb girlfriend, and he's a more averave sized male, your 'honest opinion' that less baggy is better would be wrong. All of that aside, he should also be looking to balance the drag between his upper and lower body. If his pants are extra baggy, and he wears a T-shirt, it's going to make learning to fly head-up tough, or vice-versa for a tighter pair of pants. I'm not offended... I jump with people of all sizes. I jump with 90 lb girls and 200 lb guys.... I, along with most everyone else I jump with can adjust fall rate to match others, even when wearing the same FF suit on every jump. Ultimately the OP will become a better FF'r if he learns to fly his body and not his suit... Wearing baggy clothes can become a 'crutch' that might slow down his progress in the long run. More often than not, people that 'aren't in the jump' aren't there because their too slow. If infact he is a 200lb guy that ONLY jumps with his 90lb girlfriend then yeah... get a baggy suit. *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----

Actually that's exactly part of the reason I started this thread... I too am tired of anytime a 'GoPro' is seen or mentioned in a post the entire thread is transformed into re-discussing small format cameras. and I didn't post it in P&V because no one reads that shit... *I am not afraid of dying... I am afraid of missing life.* ----Disclaimer: I don't know shit about skydiving.----