Hvance

This whole lawsuit will probably become very technically complicated. If the download of the CYPRESS data shows that it DID activate at the proper altitude, then the focus of the delayed opening moves to the container, deployment system, reserve canopy, etc. The suit could end up involving several other equipment manufacturers and dealers. Kevin K. Correct. Airtec can name third-party defendants. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

LR, Help me out here if you would please... what's the nickle run-down on how it is a parent can sue over the loss of an adult child? A child that is still a minor, I can kind-of understand, and a spouse, I can understand, but I don't immedieatly get how it is a parent can sue over the loss of an already adult child? Obviously its possible... just trying to understand a little, thanks. Does anyone know if the DZ, gear mfgr, pilot, etc. (i.e. Sue all in sight) are also being sued in this case, or were named, but dropped? Just currious. Lawsuits can be initiated on behalf of a deceased person. (Their estate.) All wrongful death suits are examples of such. As to who is named, I don't know. But the waivers we all sign include negligence and gross negligence. I don't know how the case law applies, but it will at the very least make suing the DZ, for example, more difficult. The suit is directed toward those who handled the Cypres. I keep mentioning strict products liability, but perhaps I should explain it a bit. Even if there was no negligence, if a product is defective, either in design or manufacture, then the manufacturer/distributor/retailer/etc can all be sued. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Strict products liability. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Or if the parties she is suing/their insurance carriers decide that its cheaper to settle than fight the lawsuit. True. By succeed, I meant in court. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Damn. Someone post how to do that. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Even if your brand new gear breaks apart on the first ever jump, it's on you. Eh, yes and no I think. If I install a brand new Cypres, and have a heart attack on my first jump with it, and it never fires, that's not good. Yes, we are all aware it can happen. But that doesn't mean it's expected. Would it be worthy of a lawsuit? Nope. But that's an extreme example. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Correct. And if Cypres is taken off the market because of lawsuits, then many more skydivers will die, by not having them. Another question: What skydivers are going to step forward and testify against Cypres? Vigil might send some people. I joke of course.. Expert witnesses are all likely to be users of an AAD. It will be interesting to see how the woman proceeds on that point. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Shouldn't matter. In the book I recieved from Vigil it CLEARLY states that the device CAN fail resulting in death, dismemburment et al. Nothing is fool proof period. My Left hand is the MOST reliable method of getting my reserve out(Ive seen me do it). Also, I would like to see the results of Airtec's investigation on this one. How do we know she didn't tur on the device a couple hundred feet lower than the dz? There's nothing (in anything Ive read so far) that states the cutter didn't fire at or around 750'. Until this data is made public Ill be on the fence as to if the aad worked properly. BTW, the AAD is not designed to deploy the reserve. It is only made to CUT the closing loop (which it did in this case). You're right with respect to what the AAD is intended to do. But it does matter if the court determines that the design is inherently defective or that the unit was manufactured improperly. If the defense can show that there is, by the nature of the mechanics, a margin of error and the user was aware, that's one thing. But it is highly relevant with respect to the legal concepts. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

On the legal side, a few thoughts... She can only succeed under strict products liability if she can prove that there was a design/manufacturing defect in the AAD. If she can convince a court of this, she may be able to collect under SPL. There's the defense of "assumption of risk" which effectively voids any claim of tortious behavior. If the jumper was aware of the risks and still acted in a dangerous manner, the defendant is off the hook. It could be complicated in this issue. But if the defense can demonstrate that the jumper was fully aware of the possible risks (through warnings/etc), the defense may apply. Additionally, if the batteries were out of date or service hadn't been performed, the defense would likely apply. Basically, the plaintiff needs to show that either the AAD is designed in an unsafe way, or that this particular one was improperly manufactured. Negligence is probably out of the question here. It will be interesting to see how this case plays out. For what it's worth, I do sympathize with the mother. If she was under the impression that an AAD made death virtually impossible, then I can understand her reaction. Her daughter assumed the risks, but perhaps she didn't. A bit of empathy applies here, even if I disagree with her case. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

242 mph. That's incredible. And it hits a moving target. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That's the article I've been talking about throughout this thread. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

If it's real or fake, she'll be found out. If there's one thing internet users like her should remember, it's not to fuck with 4chan. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

It can work. I'm in college now; just have to organize things carefully. Of course, I paid for everything out of my own pockets and drive myself. My parents aren't too concerned, but it wouldn't stop me if they were. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Damn... This was discussed in another thread, and that video is sobering. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I'm trying to learn the correct body position(s) for tracking.

I think it's more subjective than a simple jump number. I've been told more than a few times that it's detrimental to abandon belly flight too soon. There are jumpers with 200+ jumps that can't work well in RW because they didn't learn basic skills. One jumper made a great point I think. Freeflying is simply the ability to fly with the body in all orientations. Belly flying is the most fundamental element of freeflying and must be developed before advancing to more complicated orientations like the sit. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Didn't you notice that new door they're building into the hanger. Some say it's to split the loft/retail space, but it's really the head thing. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I also think there's something to said for falling under pressure. Even holding all things equal (like canopy control, which is a good point) being able to do things in the tunnel does not equate one to one in the sky, with a skew toward lower jumps. Even if a student could do the loops, rolls, turns, etc. required to finish AFF, what about altitude awareness, heading control, EPs, etc? The very knowledge that you're in actual freefall adds adrenaline which complicates the thought process. Nothing you haven't mentioned before. Just musing. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Good point. Which reminds me, I get my internet orders very quickly and updates/tracking info via email. As someone else said, I think you got an answer. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Recently, several instructors/coaches at my DZ were teaching me the body position for a flat track. Among other things, they said my chin should be in my chest. Well, as I read the article on tracking in the latest Parachutist, the authors specifically say not to put your chin to your chest, but rather to look forward. Can you guys please elaborate on the best methods and the rationales behind them? I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That's scary.. But funny.. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That's messed up in so many ways. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Excellent advice. For my first solo dive off AFF was dedicated to doing nothing more than watching my altimeter and the ground. I've done a few jumps like this and it's really helped. Sure, it may not be cool or exciting... but it's an essential skill to learn. Play a game on the ride up. Look out the window, estimate the altitude, then check your alti to see how close you are. You may not be able to tell the difference between 4,000 and 5,000 feet but you should be able to tell the difference between 4,000 and 9,000. The more you do that the more your visual instincts will improve. That's a good idea. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Very true. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Voted. And not just because you're a skydiver. It's the best pic there.