chuckakers

I say no, you are not being selfish, and I also think it's wrong to avoid risks because you have a family. My wife (also a jumper) and I raised two kids who spent nearly every weekend of their young years on the drop zone and it was good for them. They matured quicker than their peers, learned things and met people they would never have had the chance to otherwise, and learned that taking calculated risks is something that should be embraced to conquer life. They are both now in their 30's and are very accomplished. I believe being raised in the sport played a big part in that. Skydivers don't take risks, they manage them. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yeah, he was probably just holding it for a friend. Presumably a really, really good friend. http://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/01/prison_inmate_claims_drugs_fou.html Prison inmate claims drugs found in his butt weren't his, court doesn't buy it This is an argument that was doomed to fail. In fact, it took a state Superior Court panel just five pages to reject prison inmate Edwin Greco Wylie-Biggs' claim that the drugs guards found in his anus weren't his. Senior Judge William H. Platt wrote in the state court opinion that Wylie-Biggs became the subject of a strip-search when a corrections officer saw another inmate pass something to him in the state prison at Fayette. When Wylie-Biggs was ordered to bend over and spread his buttocks, the searchers found a small plastic bag sticking out of his rectum. Inside that bag was a blue balloon containing synthetic marijuana. In April, a Fayette County judge sentenced Wylie-Biggs, 36, of Clarion, to an extra 3 to 6 years in prison for possessing contraband. In appealing to the state court, Wylie-Biggs contended that prison officials didn't prove the synthetic marijuana was his. Platt promptly discounted that claim, finding the evidence was sufficient to support the contraband conviction. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Precision used to measure canopies differently allegedly so they could claim the smallest pack volume in the industry. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

It is problematic to get in touch with someone from PdF rigging department about this. They are hard to reach,.. I wouldn't conduct business with a parachute manufacturer that is difficult to contact for assistance. Maybe that's why I've been a loyal Rigging Innovations customer exclusively for 32 years. Given that we're talking about expensive life-saving equipment there is no excuse for anything less than exemplary customer service. Classic DZ.com non-answering waste of time answer! Thanks man!! Says the guy who just posted a non-answer. In case you didn't notice, my first post on this thread was a direct "answer" to the OP's specific subject. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Well known FS organizer and longtime Texas jumper Tom Jenkins has passed away. Tom was a true legend and a major contributor to the sport, particularly in the big-way community. A tough loss for all. From friend Scott Latinis via facebook... "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend and brother TOM JENKINS. After returning to Houston following the highly successful Sequential World Record in Eloy, his health took an unexpected down-turn from which he did not recover. He was surrounded by friends and family over his last several hours." Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

It is problematic to get in touch with someone from PdF rigging department about this. They are hard to reach,.. I wouldn't conduct business with a parachute manufacturer that is difficult to contact for assistance. Maybe that's why I've been a loyal Rigging Innovations customer exclusively for 32 years. Given that we're talking about expensive life-saving equipment there is no excuse for anything less than exemplary customer service. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Personally, I would never replace a component on a rig with something different without consulting the manufacturer. There are too many (potentially deadly) possibilities that folks in the field simply don't know about. It would be easy to get well-meaning, seemingly educated advice that could kill you. When in doubt about anything concerning gear, ask the guy who built it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There is a chance of a collision if a jumper is trailing and trying to catch up. You can do a bit more than 90 maybe on a big way or if you see someone under you, but going back to where you came from is very discouraged and can even get you grounded in a camp. Ive been to about 12 angle camps and have maybe 1000 angle jumps, and breakoffs are talked about a lot in the briefings and debriefings. I dont barrel roll. Thanks for the reply. Great info and something I hadn't thought of. Not sure if I learn something new every day, but I have today. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

More info, please. How long was that thing and how did it mal both canopies? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Because the outside fliers are typically limited to a 90° turn from the leader. Image attached shows what I mean. I've done tracking dives where the outside flyers breakoff well beyond 90 degrees, giving the group a nearly 360 degree breakoff. I admit I do very few tracking jumps so there may be something I don't get. Trackers, is there any reason jumpers on tracking dives shouldn't break off at greater than 90 degree angles assuming proper separation from other groups or disciplines? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Agreed. But not everyone takes their responsibilities "seriously" and do what they are supposed to do. And those people should be given a bowling ball and told not to come back. Seriously, skydiving is a sport in which you can kill your friends. If a jumper can't play the game correctly they need to play a different game, and it is all of our responsibility to police that. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There is nothing of consequence you can see during a barrel that I can't see by looking over both shoulders using direct & peripheral vision - and I have a bad neck from years of flying old, heavy cameras. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I've always felt that not wearing a helmet has just made me more careful about where I put my face. Maybe, but it doesn't make anyone else more careful about where they put their errors. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Nope. There are many, many skydivers who do not use the best equipment possible for any number of tasks. Hell, there are people that jump with no helmet all. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that ANY head protection is better than none. Jumpers also skydive without visual and audible altimeters, jump ratty-ass gear, jump without RSL's and AAD's, and on, and on. So no, I don't think some jumpers would use better gear if it was available. They already don't. One reason might be cost. For example, some of the helmets being produced today cost over 400 bucks and would barely keep your hair in place in the event of a substantial blow to the head. As for the numbers, 20% may be right and it may be wrong, but I can say for sure in my 3 decades of jumping that I have personally seen countless injuries and fatalities that would have been reduced in severity or avoided completely with better protective equipment than the jumper was using. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Potential? Hell, it's totaling right there! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Extra butter on my popcorn, please. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Every year there are fatal accidents that may have been survivable had the jumper had better head protection - often several in a single year. Many (most?) of these are collisions - either in freefall or under canopy - that renders the jumper unconscious or dead from the impact. In many of these cases the jumper may not have been killed or knocked out with better head protection. I personally know 2 jumpers in the past few years who might have been saved with something better than the "vanity" helmets we wear. Our helmets are better than nothing and do offer some protection, but when it comes to real impacts that we could protect against, our helmets suck. I do believe the technology exists to develop a better, truly protective helmet that would be skydiving friendly. The biggest hurdle I believe is scale. The potential market isn't large enough to support the research and development costs. It might be possible if a developer can find multiple markets for the product. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That's actually a great question, but unfortunately it has a lengthy answer. There are so many variables that the best answer is more of a discussion. Might I suggest you take charge on that and ask a leader at your DZ (DZO, Chief instructor, S&TA, old grunt) to hold a seminar on the subject. For new jumpers the answer is most effective when local, real-world examples can be used to teach the fundamentals. I like that you posed the question here. Even better, never be afraid to be the catalyst. Ask around the drop zone. I bet you will find a willing "seasoned" jumper to share some wisdom. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Old school... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtG9TCH2tfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYXF-rS37qM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq69igqD588 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znudBmOlWtY Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I never jump without one. I have one on my rig, but my "go to" is a Jack-the-Ripper in a pocket on my jumpsuit thigh for easy, fast access. I also recommend them to every jumper I work with. If you don't have a hook knife when you need one, you will likely never need one again. Hey Chuck! I used to keep one in the leg pocket of my jumpsuit. And the day I needed it, I was spinning so hard that I couldn't get it out even though I had about four thousand feet. My advice is have one where you can get to it easily. See if you can actually get it out under canopy sometime (checking traffic, etc first). top Great advice, Top. I jump Tonysuits and the pocket they install is a half pocket that exposes the entire Jack handle, using a short lanyard and snap to secure it in the pocket. I can't say getting it out would be easy in a shit-show but it is definitely out there for the taking. For those who don't know, Topdocker is a CReW guru who knows a little something about the need and proper use of hook knives. If y'all have any CReW questions, he's a go-to source. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

To refresh your memory.... H. Minimum opening altitudes Minimum container opening altitudes above the ground for skydivers are: 1. Tandem jumps–4,500 feet AGL [E] 2. All students and A-license holders–3,000 feet AGL [E] 3. B-license holders–2,500 feet AGL [E] 4. C- and D-license holders–2,500 feet AGL (S) (waiverable to no lower than 2,000 feet AGL) BTW, my answer to the poll is "BSR's". Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I never jump without one. I have one on my rig, but my "go to" is a Jack-the-Ripper in a pocket on my jumpsuit thigh for easy, fast access. I also recommend them to every jumper I work with. If you don't have a hook knife when you need one, you will likely never need one again. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm enjoying the snarky replies (that's the best thing about dz.com), but aside from the yuks... No, not all DZ's are filled with experiences like yours. I am an LO at Spaceland Houston and we are very inclusive. There are plenty of other DZ's that are as well, so I suggest you shop around. One thing you might consider is looking inward. There are sometimes jumpers that are shunned for a variety of reasons - the two biggest ones being safety concerns and asshole concerns. I'm not saying that you fit into either category but you might find someone you can confide in and ask what others at the DZ think of you. Sometimes a small attitude adjustment goes a long way in this sport. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

What? No more SFR? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yep, you don't have to turn it on, but if you do, you are breaking the rules. Nope. You are breaking the rules by having it "installed" whether it's turned on or not. Read the regulation. Not all DZs (or countries) mandate AADs, so if you are at a DZ that does not mandate AADs you don't need to have one. Having one that is turned off, effectively is the same as not having one at all. Is it not? And there is no "rule" that says an AAD must be fitted to a reserve. AADs fitted to main parachutes instead of reserves is not unknown.(But that is a separate issue) And AAD requirements are not always hard "rules", mostly they are recommendations. I was referring only to the US regulation. Whether a DZ requires AAD's has no bearing on the requirement to follow FAR's. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX