goose491

You just remember being flustered in freefall during AFF. Now you are worried that you will not perform so well. Remember it's perfectly normal to be nervous but don't let it get the best of you. You've climbed out of a plane and jumped all by yourself a handful of times now. You're moving on to freefall with some instructors... You've already freefallen with them... this time you will have more level a head. You should KNOW this rather then just HOPE this Visualise what you are going to do in freefall. Picture it in your mind over and over again... you, doing your thing, and doing it right. That will help tremendously. Don't fret it, remember this is all for fun and you'll do just fine. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

I said no and it's because I'm lazy I Clean 'em every repack cycle but I don't lube 'em. Just wipe 'em down. I'll pull 'em out a couple weeks later to see if they've collected significant dirt as this would be an indication that the hard-housing itself might need a rubdown but so far I have never had a problem. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

I wonder if it wouldn't be a bad idea to poll this forum asking riggers about what they have found during repacks that would have been nice to catch earlier? I'd like to see if there is a big difference between the answers of American riggers vs. riggers from places with a 180 day cycle. What do you guys think? How could it be worded to obtain what we are looking for? We use a 180 cycle here in Canada. Seasonal jumping though so a lot of us have closet gear for up to half a year. I have been told that the most wear you put on the canopy is during the packjob. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Just thought I'd add that you should never rely on knowing where the clouds are on the way up for determining where you are on the way down. They can change enough during the short ride to altitude to present a nasty surprise. Not saying that's what you suggest Happy, just thought I'd add for clarification. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

I always thought that song was about being pregnant. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Congrats Goeff! And welcome to the sky I just love seeing this sort of enthusiasm. I'm glad you had fun. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

No, that is not at all what I am saying. See my most recent post to BillBooth. Gear IS safer these days. With all the progress made in each discipline, skydiving itself IS safer these days. I do belive more people are skydiving then ever before because of it. But I think a jumper just off student status is a lot more likely to misunderstand things today as they are just as responsible for themselves as ever before, but have so much more to consider. I think of when I bought my gear. I didn't know a whole lot. I did my homework and I'm happy with the way it turned out. I do not doubt, for a second however, that it is easy for some to become confused about why they should consider products such as AADs and RSL's. I do not doubt for a second that there are a good number of jumpers out there who read the add and believed that they would no longer need to pull for themselves. Just as I know for fact that there are jumpers who have cutaway and waited for their RSLs to do the trick or their AADs to fire. The original poster was concerned about the ad why? Is it because he himself became confused and thought the EPs are to be modified? I don't think so. He is concerned as he knows there are some out there who would take it to mean just that. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

No worries! Trust me I'm not hard to confuse. And just for the record, though my posts may come off as such to some, I am not against these advents in safety gear. I just wish they could come along at no cost. I truly believe that todays jumper, just off student status, feels less responsibility for him/herself then ever before. I am the first person to roll his eyes at fine print disclaimers which are there solely to protect the manufacturer from either cunning attacks, or just plain stupidity and misunderstanding. I just wish there was a way for us to have these safety devices, without increasing the complacency of newer jumpers. Just off student status is a strange place to be these days. So much to consider, so many innovations every day... and the same level of autonomy. Some post that an add should not take precedence over the manual a student has read but do not pause to consider that the ad is obviously for gear which was created AFTER the manual. Is it impossible to think that this Brand New Gadget does indeed change the way we skydive? Agreed the 100ft cutaway was done with BASE gear but do all jumpers just off student status know the difference? Do they know what questions to ask? Or do they just see the video displaying the use of a new piece of skydiving equipment and think they can chop at 100ft now? Are they retarded or just naiive? Does it matter? It's a bit of a catch 22 I suppose. Saving lives, at the cost of having others rely on you to do the same. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Fixed it for you bro. Well here's the thing okay... "survive" is a good word, however, you don't have to die to quit skydiving. Some leave when they realise it's just not for them. I am willing to bet the chances are much slimmer today that someone make that mature decision, then before AAD, RSLs, videos where people cutaway at 100ft and make it or ads which tell you you need only pull one handle in an emergency situation. More people decide to take the course over simply a tandem ride because they see the sport as "Safe". They then finish the course because hey, falling is easy... You'll note I used quotation marks each time I used the word "excel". Agreed, but not as indirectly as you think. People chose to continue skydiving today who would never even consider it if such devices were not available. That's a direct contribution to the sport, of jumpers who are very much dependant on these devices. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

I guess I might have misinterpreted this then: -Bill Booth ...Particularily part 2... with the skyhook the reserve is coming as soon as the main risers leave. That is -as per the advertisement- immediately after the cutaway is pulled. You seem to have clearly indicated that between cutaway and reserve deployment, you have time to get stable. You do not wish to be holding or even looking at the reserve handle as you want to make sure you are stable enough to deploy you reserve. The quote reads, at least to me, as though you have the time to determine "which way is up" between cutaway and reserve deployment whereas the advert for the skyhook would indicate otherwise. My Bad My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Not really, you've paraphrased what I was saying in your own post. Simply, I am refering to gear dependent and comfortably misinformed jumpers as "retarded", and I am using the word "excel" in reference to progression through whichever course they may have entered to obtain a licence to skydive on their own. I think I'm just less pollitically correct about it. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

1)It does do one thing for the retarded to help them "excel", and that's keep them feeling safe enough to continue jumping, when perhaps, they should be doing other things with their time. That was all I said; you yourself agreed at the time. Even with mention of a disclaimer, we have statements being made to the tune of "Then, they'll just find some other way to kill themselves." This sport is not for everyone... but it certainly is becoming (deceivingly) so. 2)I certainly haven't said otherwise 3)You are paraphrasing my post in this number 3 of yours. This is just what I'm saying! You won't hear me complain that someone was saved from death, that's just morbid. Just that gear like this, along with it's marketing, suggest that the things we do are childs play. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Sorry, I don't get your point. That could be because you're taking one sentence from a post comprising many others. Or it could be that there are two points in the post and you are confused by the simplicity of the first point. "Bill Booth does not jump a Skyhook". That's all. A point. It has nothing to do with whether or not the skyhook saves. Together, the collection of other sentences will detail my second point. It is my belief that although the Skyhook saves lives, it does so at the cost of the complacency, and the allowance of some would-be burnouts/bowlers to continue in this sport with the concept that they are making way. Furthermore, you may argue against this all you wish, but the bottom line is that the advert for the device in question states that their product will truncate their EPs and leave them smiling in their harness. Anyone disputing this, well they use as their primary argument that you'd have to be retarded to think a piece of safety gear will take precedence over you and your own personal abilities to keep you alive. I say this statement is absolutely correct, but that doesn't mean it don't happen. So, derived for you are my points. 1)Bill Booth has his reasons for not jumping a Skyhook. 2)Devices like the skyhook allow retarded people to "excel" in a sport which just isn't for them. That just about cole's-notes it for you don't it? My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Just what is your problem Kevin? What is with your attitude? Your definately looking for support here... but you do not tell the whole tale and get all defensive when asked to? Well then bro, you got your answer. Didn't have to wait long.. it was in post number 2! Now, you realise you have posted a question in a DISCUSSION forum which means you may get what you are looking for out of it, but others may feel the need to DISCUSS. If you don't want to share the details, then don't... but don't be rude about it man. I'd like to know more details too as I beleive you have some personal agenda as well. It's not the end of the world if you don't tell me though, so don't go losin' it. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

no it didn't yes it did this isn't debate, this is just contradiction no it isn't I don't know if you are Insinuating that I wasn't thinking... or if you are hinting that I was arguing for the sake of arguing. Either way, this thread did get me thinking. ...thinking there are quite a few more experienced jumpers than I would have anticipated who believe leaving a dive early is a good idea. And I wasn't being sarcastic when I called you a gent.

Oh I certainly hope so My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Silly Jen, skydivers can smell 100th jump. You cannot hide. lol Meh, it was mainly Leslie and B-rad that brought forth the nasty pies but not anymore. It's not that Bad, Burnaby does nice whipped cream pies. When I did my 100th, it was this time of year. Tara got me in the face with some of her B-day cake too! ... it's being thrown in the pond that can get nasty at Burnaby. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Basically they'd take a trip to the grocery store and then purchase whatever nasty items they could find. I guess it was decided a long time ago at Skydive Toronto Inc, that if you put it in one of those flimsy tin pie plates... it's "pie". lol. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

That's your online picture baby

You are so pretty Sarah.

Well, pronounced articulation as you speak/shout will help people "hear" you yes. And hand signals are almost a given in an emergency situation. But I would not ommit acutally using my voice... never. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Another point is, he doesn't jump one himself. -Bill Booth Hmmm. Nomatter how many lives saved, I also advocate that a product such as this is designed and marketed to take a sport which is "not for everyone"... and open it's doors to the retarded. The ad was funny, I "got it". I would not have made this type of stink about it but now that the point is raised, I don't think it's difficult for a brand new jumper to have been misled. New gear!!... newer then the SIM he/she read. What other references do they have to the skyhook? Oh, video of a couple people cutting away at 100ft! That's terrific footage for a new jumper to watch. Think people. You may think the concern is silly... you are not learning to skydive today, when just about anyone with a bit of $$$ can get in the air. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Some things to consider in almost any emergency situation: -Stay Calm, don't panic. -Think about what's happening. What is your best course of action? -Take charge if you able to do so. It is important that somebody do so, don't just wait around. If you are there, and have completed the above-two... you are the one. Don't make reservations about barking out orders to someone with more experience then you. -Understand that if you cannot do so, remain clam and get out of the way. (Always paying attention however, situation might change and/or you may be needed.) -Use Positive Commands when communicating to others. (i.e. "Hold On!" as opposed to "Don't let Go!") -Use names and make eye contact with people when delegating duties (i.e. "John! Tell the pilot we've got a jumper hung up!" as opposed to "Somebody tell the pilot!") My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

But there's no reason for everyone to be at the back of the plane. I imagine too many chefs is the last thing you want in just this sort of kitchen. Also, unless this is the first jumper out, the planes loading is already lessened a bit by departed jumpers. I actually already have a small flow-chart of action I would go through with a hang up situation such as this one (a non-canopy-typed hangup) IF I was the very next jumper. (meaning I'm right there in front of this guy.) Surely there will be others with quite a bit more experience then me on the load, but if I'm right there, I am prepared to take charge like this as I have already decided I would rather have the idea in mind, then risk freezing there. Anyway, the reason I mention that I have a preset course of action is that it includes chosing a small number of jumpers who are also near by, calling them out BY NAME to stay and help me, calling out to a jumper BY NAME to get word to the pilot that there's a jumper hung up and to throttle back if possible, then ordering all other jumpers either to the front of the plane or to GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT! -"To the front of the plane" if it does not look like a deployment is imminent, and -"Get out get out get!" out if it does. Again, given that some of the jumpers may have already left, all others at the front or out of the plane, a reduce airspeed can help out significantly at little risk of a stall. I do agree however that flying a full load with a crowd of disorganized jumpers at the rear is not the best time to throttle back. NOW, all that being said, I would send the request for reduced airspeed up to the pilot just the same. He/She knows the bird much better then I and they'll do their best. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

Ah Toys! Gadgets and toys! We certainly are a culture that enjoys our stuff eh? Good show. Sounds like you've a good head on your shoulders, keep at it and have a blast. Nick My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!