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I got a chance to talk this over with Dave (Vertifly) today. Without having video to see for sure it sounds like (among other things) I'm flaring a little too fast. Now that I think about it, I think that's what I did the day I tore my ACL too. (2nd jump demoing a canopy I didn't really feel comfortable with.) Now just to stop the nervousness that's causing the quick flare. Thanks for the tip on taking the course. Just my luck that its only offered Mother's Day weekend (Men! ) but I'm taking it anyway! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Don't know, its not working for me either. Try Weather Underground until its back up. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Wow! I'm glad you're doing ok! I was actually in a nasty car accident last year and blacked out multiple times. I took a flight from Philly to Atlanta the next weekend too. Flight down was fine, flight back I was in tears & thought my head was going to explode! I actually lost bits of my memory during all of that too. Was very weird. Got rear-ended just a few months later and now it doesn't seem to take much to knock me out. (though usually just for a second or two) First accident, obvious concussion, the others I've had the field sobriety type tests and have been told that I'm fine. Any ideas how common it is to "seem" fine but not be? BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Very very true. I'm in probably the worst shape I've ever been in right now. Not exactly proud of that. I'm sure that has something to do with my confidence. I just signed up for Scott Miller's Canopy Control course. Its not for another few weeks but I think it will help, can't hurt at least. I feel silly asking for it but maybe having someone on radio for a jump or two telling me when to flare until I get the feel for it again? BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I'm not much help on places to live since I lived on base the whole time I was in DC. (That was nice though ) I do agree with skydiver30960, he pretty much has it all covered. The traffic is insane but they have the Metro and its really nice. I was quite surprised (coming from Philly its no comparison!) All the business people are on the subway instead of sitting in traffic. Its such an expensive area that the military makes you sign a waver because they won't match the higher standard of living if you are stationed there. Otherwise, its a great area. Love the tourist stuff, monuments, etc. Great nightlife, always something going on. If you're making some serious $$$$ then go for it. I know if we didn't have the on base stores we couldn't have afforded to live there. Good luck! Oh and of you do come out here then you have to head up to Cross Keys. Only about 3 hours up I95 and guaranteed worth the trip! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

You'd think I'd be an expert in these by now. From www.neurosurgery.org What is a Concussion? A concussion is an injury to the brain, usually caused by a blow to the head that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. Most people assume that concussions involve a loss of consciousness. Not true. In most cases, the person with a concussion never loses consciousness. The formal medical definition of concussion is: a clinical syndrome characterized by immediate and transient alteration in brain function including alteration of mental status and level of consciousness, resulting from mechanical force or trauma. Concussion means a change in mental status. Those with concussions often cannot remember what happened immediately before or after the injury. They may slur their speech or exhibit confusion. Paramedics and football trainers who suspect a concussion ask injured people what year it is or direct them to count backward from ten in an attempt to detect altered brain function. A concussion can affect memory, judgment, reflexes and muscle coordination. The speech and balance of the injured person may also be impaired. Confusion is a particular hallmark of concussion. The three principal features of confusion are: 1. Inability to maintain a coherent stream of thought 2. A disturbance of vigilance with heightened distractibility 3. Inability to carry out a sequence of goal-directed movements The specific symptoms of a concussion include: headache, vision disturbance, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, memory loss, ringing ears, nausea and difficulty in concentrating. If any of these occur after a blow to the head, a healthcare professional should be consulted. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

What kind of shape are you in? A bit plumper than usual. Have you been religiously following a flexibility and strengthening plan? Finished rehab in the fall and haven’t kept up on my own. Single Mom of twins, I’m lucky to find time to jump, no gym time for me. How highly loaded is your canopy and how fast is it? With the added weight from this winter I’m at 1.1:1, normally right at 1:1. Is upsizing for a while an option? I started back using a 190, then 170 now my 150. I was doing ok until just the last few jumps. Unfortunately no larger canopy to go back up to now. (BF sold his Spectre 170 and I’m not going anywhere near his Vengeance 170) Brace is the $1600 DonJoy. Good one but I think it was holding the outer layer of clothes which doesn’t help much when wearing 3 layers. A torn ACL is a common Skiing, Basketball & Soccer injury. If I played any of those sports no one would even try to say that I should stop because of the injury. I was in rehab with someone who had multiple surgeries on each knee and she had no intention to stop skiing. I have always been pretty active and the ACL had been torn little by little over the years. I’ve managed to keep jumping through pregnancy, having kids, etc so I don’t see myself stopping any time soon. (I’m 28) Not jumping for good is not an option. I am looking for things I can do to regain confidence and start standing up landings again. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I'm a pretty conservative canopy pilot and I do always wear my brace to jump. I could use to get to know my gear better but I think my problem is more a confidence thing. I was fine until just a few jumps ago. I've had plenty of injuries outside of skydiving too so you're not the only one. Thanks for the input! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I saw a post warning people to be careful as it’s the beginning of the season and many of us are not so current and have gained a few pounds. What about all of that and having had an injury last season too?! I had knee surgery (ACL) last July that kept me grounded all Summer. I just “had” to get up before winter so I made a few jumps beginning of Nov and partially tore the new ACL. I have jumped since then but only a few times. Cold weather here in PA/NJ makes for a good excuse. Now that its getting nice I really want to start jumping again but I’m not sure what to do! My landings before the surgery were fine but since the surgery they have all been PLFs except the 2nd one when I tore the ACL again. Needless to say, I’m scared of hurting my knee further. I know I’m favoring that knee but how do I stop doing it? My fear of getting hurt is actually getting me hurt! My last jump this past weekend was a rather nasty landing and the last thing I remember before hitting the ground was thinking “watch the knee!” I wear a knee brace but I was wearing it when I tore the ACL the 2nd time so I know that won’t totally prevent more injury. I don’t need to be lectured about what I “should” have done up to this point, that’s in the past, I could really use some ideas on getting back in the air safely. Oh, I’m fine in the plane & freefall…its just from about 500 ft that I start getting nervous and worrying about the landing. I was always pretty relaxed and confident in myself before and now I’m just not. Anyone have a similar experience or have any advice? It’s been cold and raining all week and its going to be a beautiful 72 this weekend but I’m NOT jumping until I get this straight! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I'm the brutally honest type. Maybe that comes from growing up with older sisters who don't think twice about telling you that you look like crap?? I'm going to be brutally honest so I see no reason why someone wouldn't be that way to me. My best friend is just that because I know she will always tell me honestly if I look stupid or am making a mistake, etc. My bf is used to me being the same way. I actually wish he would start speaking up more. Then again with his Mom & older sister maybe he was raised to keep his mouth shut?! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Tore my ACL last June, had replacement surgery in July & started jumping again end of October. Of course I wasn't careful enough and partially tore the NEW ACL right away. I'm much more careful about my landings now. I asked around about healing times too but just remember that we all heal differently. Older/younger, smoker or not, how physically fit you are, etc...it all effects how quickly you heal. That and make sure you do your physical therapy! The people who start PT before even having surgery seem to heal faster. Good Luck! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Hey, one of the guys at CrossKeys has a few Pro-Tecs he's custom painted and they look really good too! He's posted pics before but I'm just being lazy about finding them right now. Doesn't look like he's on right now so just PM Blahr (aka Chris) if you don't find a purple one. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

B- Oddly enough, I only know because its on my dog tags. They wouldn't let me donate...low iron. Only time I ever had enough iron was when I was pregnant and well...they kinda don't like to take it then either. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

OUCH!!! I also tore my ACL last Summer, had a new one put in and then tore it! I've been doing the ever so graceful butt slide landings but now you've got me rethinking that. After 2 car accidents and the ACL surgery last year I can tell you that physical therapy is a great start but try to get to a massage therapist too! All of those muscles in your back/butt/legs/etc will be very pissed at you for that landing and you'll feel it! I did the PT and it helped, I go to a chiropractor and that helps but the deep tissue massage is making all the difference in the world now! Oh, most insurance companies cover massages now too! I haven't paid for a single one and I go every week! Good luck & feel better soon! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Hi! Welcome to the wonderful world of skydiving...and TWINS! I'm actually a single Mom of twin boys so I have a little experience here. You may as well prepare yourself for every reaction because you'll likely get them all! I've gotten everything from "Well, I guess that's the end of skydiving for you." and "What kind of parent puts themselves at risk like that on purpose?" to "You must really love jumping to find a way to keep doing it." and "You're kids are definitely going to be skydivers because they see how much you love it and they will too." I actually "quit" jumping the day I found out I was pregnant. I figured that it was way too risky and just wasn't something a Mom should be doing. I still went to the DZ every weekend while pregnant. I pretty much stopped after they were born & really was just plain too busy to think much about it for the first year. (Single Mom, remember?) When they were about 1 yr thoughts of skydiving started eating at me and I wished I could do it again. I had the constant guilt of thinking, what if anything happened to me, my kids have no one. Yet I felt like I was missing a really big part of me. I guess I just didn't realize how much skydiving meant to me until I wasn't anywhere near it. I started jumping again when my kids were about 1.5 yrs. I still don't jump as often as I'd like but it keeps me near enough to the sport and the people that it at least works for me, for now. I still feel the nerves and guilt and I'm fairly conservative about my canopy flying and maybe a bit more paranoid about safety than some others. I do feel bad about leaving my kids on a nice day to go jump but I also bring them to the DZ as much as possible because they just love it there. You give your kids extra kisses and tighter hugs before you walk out the door but its also your time to clear your mind and relax. Even as a parent you still have to have something for YOU. I'll just ramble on forever when it comes to skydiving and my kids so if you want to chat or have any questions, feel free to PM me. Oh, CONGRATULATIONS x2!! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Ok...apparently dressing the kids for bed and trying to keep up on posts doesn't go well together. I was thinking the new job & apt were both down the shore and I didn't realize how far Skydive Jersey Shore was. Oh well. I still think the apt sounds good. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I can't believe I'm actually doing this but...I have to agree with Jim. Just get the place. It sounds great and you can't beat the location (other than being closer to CK ). I know what you mean with the hour commute though, I'm working on that one myself. I saw a place today...5 minutes from work, not much closer to the DZ but closer to 95 at least, good price but kinda small. Of course I also have to fit two kids in there. Oh yeah, its a condo too so at least you're only renting not buying! It sounds like maybe you're just a bit nervous about commiting to your first place. It obviously has all the good stuff. Unless its under 400 square feet or something you should have enough room for you and your gear. Go for it! (Me & the kids need a place to stay when we head down the shore this Summer! ) BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

So are you really asking about this apartment or just bragging that you got it?! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Wow Alyson...you poor thing! How could they possibly expect you to endure living in those conditions?! I would just die if I had to live in a place with a washer/dryer, fireplace and fitness center! Haha!! Its only you, how small could the place be? (seriously, what's the square footage?) How about this...You can take my kids and I'll live there! So far all the places I've lived in have been pretty nice. Whether I expected them to be or not. Go for it girl! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

Ditto! You pretty much took the words right out of my mouth. I tore my ACL last Summer and have been in 2 car accidents in the past year so I'm becoming familiar with taking pain meds to get through the day. Mostly I take the bare minimum to ease pain without feeling drugged. I have not and will not EVER jump after taking any of my stronger meds. Aleve and Advil are a daily thing now though. Oh and I stopped reading posts from "certain" individuals (ie. your link) because they seem to be on here just for some attention. (Can you say Drama Queen?!) Dancing on the line of being a troll but since they apparently do jump people put up with it? BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I use Ebay a LOT...probably a bit more than I should. I'm both a buyer and a seller so I've been screwed both ways...lucky me! You can look up his personal info that he used when he registered with Ebay by clicking on the link in the Winning Bidder email you got. Do that first! CALL him! The "family emergency" may be valid but keep calling till you get him. Both Ebay and Paypal want you to try to contact each other and work things out yourselves before they have to step in so get moving! If you can't get in touch with this guy in the next couple of days, file your complaints with both Ebay and Paypal. You have limited time to do both, 30 days and you're getting close. Since he is no longer a registered user I don't think you can even leave negative feedback for him. Whatever you decide to do, do it NOW! The sooner you start bugging all of these people and the more you do it, the better your chances of getting your $ back. Don't just send emails either...they aren't very good at answering. Use Ebay's Live Help Paypal Complaints Oh and he is not being sued, the seller he bought from is. Also, the tracking # he provided for his buyer is not "in the system". My rule...don't buy from anyone with less than 98% positive feedback. Feel free to PM or email me! GOOD LUCK!! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

My family just deals with it. They look at the photos that I shove in their faces but that's about it. My sister even brought my niece and nephew over the night before my first jump so they could say "Good Bye" in case they never saw me again! I begged my parents to come out for my graduation jump as a student and they actually came (grumbling the whole way). Of course just my luck that it was at least 95 degrees with very little wind that day and no shade anywhere. On the same load as my big jump my ex had a cutaway (not a mal, just wanted to cut away!) and he drug me out looking for his canopy...leaving my parents stuck at the DZ by themselves in boiling heat for well over an hour! Needless to say, my Dad will NEVER be back. I'm working on my Mom though. I bought her a gift certificate for a helicoptor ride at CrossKeys but I think she's trying to wimp out on me. Oh, my 3 year old sons gladly go to the DZ. Actually they beg to go, especially on week days! To get out of school! Hmm...a 3 yr old can be taught to flat pack...right? BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I think what a few people are trying to get at here is that you should be opening higher when jumping a new canopy, period. Since you don’t have many jumps to begin with then why push it to the line with how low you can open? I think this is very good advice. As far as the snivel goes…Did you look into the characteristics of a Spectre before you jumped it? Did you ask anyone for tips on packing a Spectre before jumping it? Or about how the openings & landings are? Even if you did, you still didn’t give yourself much time in the air to try out turns & practice flares. You asked if you should have cut it away…Do you think you should have? Have you decided where you’ll cut away if you don’t have a good canopy over your head? Were you open before or after that point? I’m not trying to sound mean, just giving you a few things to think about. I have people at my DZ (and on here) who grill me with these kind of questions and it really makes me think. Hope it does the same for you. I started jumping a Spectre at about 20 jumps and I just downsized to another Spectre. I have about 10 jumps on it but I still open a bit higher (4000K) to give myself a little more time to really get a feel for the canopy. Better to be higher with more time than to be low and figure things out a bit too late. I knew before my first jump on a Spectre to expect it to take about 800 ft to open so although it still seemed like forever, I wasn’t too worried. I also spoke with other people who jumped them and asked what they liked and didn’t like, etc. Oh, my wingloading was actually a little less than yours at first too…I was on a 200+! My advice…regardless of what you do to shorten the snivel…Open Higher! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I don't own a gun. Not saying that I never will though. First time I ever fired a gun was in the military. So I don't have a problem with them. I have 3 yr old boys at home and I will eventually educate them about guns. Like someone else said, they can either learn from me, from TV or other kids. I'd rather have my guys already know about them then to be the kid wondering "What does this do?" I live just outside of a big city and a little too close to the things that keep cops busy. I will have one in my home and will most likely get a permit to carry, I have no problems using it if I need to. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!

I had the NetSky virus sent to me at work today. I just forwarded it to an IT guy for him to play with. He thought it was kinda funny that I would be the first one (of quite a few people today) to get sent a virus called NetSKY! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website!