lauril 0 #101 March 19, 2003 Quote " Are those thingys on the arms and legs of your suit for stability?" LOL I've heard that once from a student too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverjon 0 #102 March 19, 2003 lol, I've heard them ask about the grippers also. And I've heard some skydivers tell them that the grippers were static dischargers. lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genie 0 #103 March 19, 2003 The one that sticks in my mind came after talking to a whuffo on a train and explaining that we do actually have some control in freefall, can track, adjust fall rate yadda yadda - With a hugely disbelieving attitude she said " Well Why do you have a parachute then?" I explained it was kinda useful for slowing down before landing.. Genie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genie 0 #104 March 19, 2003 QuoteNot a question, but did you ever run into these people that always knew someone that does it? I've heard some off the wall shit, like: "My friend did it 10 times and is like an instructor now" Sure okay!*** Nope but the amount of people - taxi drivers in paricular - who *know* someone whos parachute didnt open and they were fine! In one case apparenyly because it was a demo jump and they guy was wearing a gorilla suit - and wait for this - the fur slowed him down enough so he was fine! Riiigghhhttt... Genie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,116 #105 March 19, 2003 I believe that everyone knows someone who had either a cousin or a friend whose "chute didn't open." This is based on years and years of scientific research involving beer and conversations in stores Wendy W. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #106 March 19, 2003 Loud mouthed wannabees abound in military veteran circles. Usually the louder they brag the farther they were from gunfire. True combat veterans have an annoying habit of beating the snot out of braggarts who were never in harm's way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meathorse 0 #107 March 19, 2003 For months my mother thought that the reserve was just a backup ripcord in case the first one broke. She was actually quite relieved when she found out I'd been jumping with 2 canopies. And here's one from half an hour ago. Co-worker said that skydiving sounded fun but he was worried about the risks... he then described the worst case scenario: Him: "So much could go wrong, you know? I just don't want to break and ankle." Me: "Some things are worse than death, didn't know walking with a limp was one of them." Sorta neat though, most people think the sport is more dangerous than it is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #108 March 19, 2003 QuoteSorta neat though, most people think the sport is more dangerous than it is. Please O please tell me that was a troll line. You can underestimate the danger of many, many things but if you underestimate the dangers involved in skydiving just once...well...I'll try and make it for the ash dive.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #109 March 19, 2003 I agree with that statement. Yes, having a planet coming towards you at 120+ mph is dangerous, but it's a safer sport than what 99.9% of whuffos think it is.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBile 0 #110 March 19, 2003 An AFF instructor demonstrates on a table how the main canopy is ejected from the pack. Instructor : "So you pull this handle and.........." (The canopy pops out) Student : Wow. Cool . The Instructor starts to spread the canopy out to continue the demonstration. Student : "You won't be able to use that canopy anymore now will you ?"Gerb I stir feelings in others they themselves don't understand. KA'CHOW ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #111 March 19, 2003 QuoteI agree with that statement. Yes, having a planet coming towards you at 120+ mph is dangerous, but it's a safer sport than what 99.9% of whuffos think it is. And it's more dangerous that a good chunk of the newbies think it is.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #112 March 19, 2003 I'd rather have it that newbies think this sport is really dangerous - they're not going to have any false senses of security then.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #113 March 19, 2003 QuoteI'd rather have it that newbies think this sport is really dangerous - they're not going to have any false senses of security then. Thank you! You got my point, even if you don't realize it! QuoteSorta neat though, most people think the sport is more dangerous than it is. Implies, by a skydiver, that the sport isn't as dangerous as most people think it is. I feel it's just the opposite. The sport is more dangerous that most whuffos and many skydivers think it is.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #114 March 19, 2003 QuoteImplies, by a skydiver, that the sport isn't as dangerous as most people think it is. I feel it's just the opposite. The sport is more dangerous that most whuffos and many skydivers think it is. Not sure about that. Most of the whuffos I've talked to about it are completely in awe that you can make more than a few jumps. They assume you'd be dead after a couple. Newbies may be different. If they thought it was that dangerous they probably wouldn't try it. But they're not a fair representation of whuffodum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #115 March 19, 2003 Everybody I speak to about it thinks it's fucking crazy to even consider it, and are really surprised to hear I have "only" 125 jumps. At a recent job interview, they asked what I did at weekends, and when I told them their instant response was "wow !! you don't look crazy" ____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #116 March 19, 2003 It's all in the representation. I'm sure I've scared away more than I've brought to this sport. How? By being honest. A good friend of mine repeated over and over how he wanted to jump, since I had soooo much fun doing it. I sat him down and had a good, long talk. I basically told him the ins and outs of the sport, and made sure I stressed to him the fact that you can do everything right and still die. He countered that with the AAD arguement (he lurks here, and reads alot on the sport). I prctically had to beat it into his skull that having an automatic opener on your reserve at best might save your life (if it works at all) and at worst (when it works) might allow your family to have an open casket funeral. When he finally understood that there was no way he could be sure it was safe, he decided that watching me from the ground was plenty good for him. How many people are that bluntly honest with newbies, students, whuffos, ect? Not many that I've seen. Sure, the DZO's put the blurb about dying in the training and on the waiver, but how many take the time to make sure the student/whuffo fully understands?It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #117 March 19, 2003 Good point. When I first started I tried talking everyone I know into doing it. After seeing first hand some of the unfortunate results, when someone tells me they want to make a jump, the first thing I do is explain all the ways they can die or be maimed. The last thing I want is to have been the person to talk someone into jumping that had never considered it, and then have them hurt themselves or worse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lukepinion 0 #118 March 19, 2003 I think that most people realize the risks they are taking before they make their first jump. I know I did....Hell that was part of the fun of it! Luke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tosca 0 #119 March 19, 2003 QuoteSorta neat though, most people think the sport is more dangerous than it is. QuoteImplies, by a skydiver, that the sport isn't as dangerous as most people think it is. I feel it's just the opposite. The sport is more dangerous that most whuffos and many skydivers think it is. I think it can be both- even at the same time! Sometimes non-skydivers I have talked to think skydiving is dangerous in ways that it is pretty safe, and on the other hand can´t see some of the biggest risks. Therefore it can be a challenge to answer some whuffo questions about safety without giving the curious person totally wrong picture of the sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pojo 0 #120 March 19, 2003 I think that most people realize the risks they are taking before they make their first jump. in my case that was second jump first one was fine i didn't understand damn thing pojo In heaven all the interesting people are missing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meathorse 0 #121 March 19, 2003 QuoteQuote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorta neat though, most people think the sport is more dangerous than it is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please O please tell me that was a troll line. Oops. Horrible wording on my part. Lemme try again. I just thought it was interesting to see that someone underestimated the danger rather than overestimating, which is what every whuffo I've ever met does. Hope that clears it up a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuffDiver 0 #122 March 19, 2003 I also tried talking some people into coming for a jump. Once they were in the plane I just hoped that everything went alright so I wouldn't be responsible for talking them into this(even if the final decision is their own). __________________________________________________ Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out alive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #123 March 19, 2003 Yep, that's better. You have moved it over to the perceptions of others, instead of it looking like you think it isn't that dangerous. Yep, lots better.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #124 March 19, 2003 Don't get me wrong, I still tell people the only way to explain what it's like to skydive is to do it, but I make sure they know exactly what they are getting into. Also, once on the plane, I keep my mouth shut. This is not the place to have a newbie freak out.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHem 0 #125 March 19, 2003 Friend of mine heard this one...he was talking to a whuffo about skydiving, and the guy looks at him and says "So, let me get this straight..you made a sport out of an emergency procedure?"...>> "Here's how you cure cancer: make it more cool for a kid to grow up to be a scientist than it is for him or her to be an athlete or a Pop Star. That's how you cure cancer." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
