heftee

It was such a blast last year! All the organized fun jumps that Brett and Shayne put together - awesome! The SCR ceremony - I get to pour this year!! Jim - you better watch it! This is THE boogie to go to. So much going on, such great prizes, and the crowd just can't be beat! Hope to see you all there! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

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I saw this post on incidents and was hoping some riggers (or anyone) could add their $0.02 please. Thank you. RE: a canopy cell that blew out - someone speculated that perhaps the fabric color might have had anything to do with it. In Reply To ------------------------------------------------------------ I wonder if it might be the color (red) that seems to fade quickly on all kinds of things. I wonder if it might have weakened the fabric in the red areas fading faster than the other colors. It might be totally irrelevant but something I would be curious about if any riggers know if colors matter. ----------------------------------------------------------- Don't know if that was the cause here, but test have shown that certain colors of nylon, typically the lighter ones, do degrade faster. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I saw this post on incidents and was hoping some riggers could add their $0.02 please. thank you In Reply To ------------------------------------------------------------ I wonder if it might be the color (red) that seems to fade quickly on all kinds of things. I wonder if it might have weakened the fabric in the red areas fading faster than the other colors. It might be totally irrelevant but something I would be curious about if any riggers know if colors matter. ----------------------------------------------------------- Don't know if that was the cause here, but test have shown that certain colors of nylon, typically the lighter ones, do degrade faster. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I have always thought that there is something wrong with me if I'm not a little nervous. I am very current, I jump every single weekend, sometimes 15+ jumps in a weekend, but every single first jump of the weekend, right about the time I'm putting my chest strap on, I get the butterflies. We are nervous because we're doing something dangerous, yes, but have faith in your gear, in your pilot, in the plane, in the other jumpers, in the instructors, in the staff that everything and everyone is being as safe as possible. Every once in a while, on the ride to altitude I still think "I can stop this now, I can say I'm a skydiver, quit now and be okay." Then I jump and can't wait to get back up again. A little bit of nervousness keeps you more aware and safe. If it's debilitating, though, others' suggestions on here are great - get to know the gear and how it works, talk to the instructors, go hang out and watch some loads. It should ease the fear some. Good Luck! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

When you say you've meet the person in question, WHICH person are you referring to? There are many people involved with this boogie - the DZ, its staff members, volunteers, organizers, helpers, family. Any one of these people could have given you a bad opinion but perhaps that should not reflect on the spirit of the boogie itself. I do hope you'll give it another chance this year in Houston and allow a possible change of opinion. Please consider it. Take care! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Not from a TM perspective, but from a jumper who brings out many friends/family/others to do tandems - I personally am very glad that our TMs do stick to the rules on this. As a matter of fact, this past weekend, my jump #298 was my first tandem - a recurrency for an instructor who had been out of town for the World Record and vacation. He has over 14,000 jumps and still does the recurrency with an up jumper. Me, bringing out 20 tandems next weekend, feels really good to know this. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

We had one this weekend. We got the 2 minute call, we got door call, the camera guy of the first group is checking the spot and getting ready for climb-out when the pilot calls back that there is air traffic and we're going to do a go around. We all sit down and wait. Get another two minute call, and Robin (AKA Zone Rat here on DZ.com) takes a harder look at his camera guy, points at him and says "your chest strap is mis routed!" - he fixes it, gives him a huge hug, and out we all go. I got on the ground, gave Robin a hug and a "great catch!" and went to the other person to check on him - a bit frazzled of course and very thankful. Great job, Robin! Robin and I were on a team last year, and our whole team made a habit of checking this on every single person on our load - I think this habit really helped in this situation. We should constantly be eyeballing everyone around us - you never know when you'll find something. Thank God for that go around too! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Something that I've found myself thinking more about is the jewlery I wear (or now - not wear). We've heard stories about people getting their rings caught on the bar by the door. I've been told that the closing pin necklaces could get caught up in the three ring system. These two have made me consider all my jewlery and just jump without it. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

With all of these comments on the name (love it by the way) and the landing, why has no one said anything about his hard pull and FOUR attempts (is that right, did you really try 4 times on a level 5)? Why not the 2 attempts and straight to emergency procedures? Did you really try that many times or was that there a dramatic license? ...just worried about starting bad habits. did you check your altitude between pull attempts? ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

AFF 4 is where you go from 2 JMs to 1. I would recommend 2 each day. It allows you to work on things from the first one but then doesn't overwhelm you with more than you need at the beginning. I remember when I first started, I was so tired after 2 and couldn't believe my eyes watching people do so many more - I just couldn't understand how they could do that many. Now adays, I can do 8 or 10 a day and be begging for more. I still see others doing 15-18 a day and wonder how they do it - maybe I'll be there one day. As far as the nerves, you are right, the second one is much less nerve wrecking. But, even now, each first jump of the weekend, I have butterflies in my stomach. I think it's a good thing - keeps me cautious. Best of luck - enjoy the ride! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I've been trying to find this article for a long time and don't see it on their back issues. It shows Feb and April but not March - any help? ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

At our DZ, S movements on final is frowned upon - you could easily get in someone's way also making a pattern or those swoopers who are cutting inside your pattern (appropriately). ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Hi everyone. I'm thinking about a new container. My student rig had the leg straps that you have to step into and tighten up, but the used gear I bought a year ago has the snaps. At first I hated the snaps (because it was different), but now I love them. Saves me from having to do the balancing act and all that. So, my question, what are the pros/cons with the snaps before I buy a new container? do they sell new models with those or are they old school? thanks! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

One of those 'what if' scenarios I was thinking up: What if you had a premature at a high altitude and you weren't the last person to exit the plane - what is the safest thing to do under canopy? Ride it out slowly looking for others, spiral it down and get out of the way, other? Just curious should I ever get in this situation - what is best for the other jumpers? Thanks ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I was taught on the one hand per handle method. However, on my cutaway (jump # 70) - the line twists were so severe that the risers were twisted up behind my head - pinning my head down, that when I used one hand, I got nothing - so I had to use both hands. Then, I started practicing like that - use the one hand method, do a proper cut and pull. However, I also practice the one hand method, can't cut, use two hands, pull. I have since had another mal where, again, two hands were needed due to the severity of the twists...or maybe I'm a wimp, I don't know, but I had my head pinned down where my helmet left a nice mark in my upper chest - but I just couldn't cut with the one hand. So, I practice both senarios all the time. I intend to use one hand per handle, but I know what to do if I can't. I'm not saying learn both methods - I'm saying be prepared. Since we were taught the one hand per handle method, the only way I knew about the two hand method was from the BreakAway video I watched. I'm sure I would have figured it out, but seeing that helped. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

NO way Anton- hoping never to do it again! Just wanted to make sure that if I do, it works properly. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

No problem - thanks for all the information. I did have a rigger do it, and he did use the proper cutters and melt the ends and he did stagger the lengths as well. He took good care of me. By the way - I had someone else do this - NOT the person who hooked up my new risers and just left the cables as they were and was going to let me jump it like that. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I had a rigger cut it and burn the ends to smooth it out again. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I don't ever get much response in the rigging section, so I'm posting this here to see what you all have to say: I recently had shorter risers put on my rig. When doing my gear inspection prior to gearing up and jumping, I noticed that the yellow cable to the cutaway system was looped outside my harness. It was too long with the new risers. So, with the end stuck in the little pocket along the risers, the excess just sort of bunched up and created a loop sticking out instead of being nice and flush. I got this fixed prior to jumping. (cut 2.5 inches off) My question - if I hadn't gotten it fixed and had to cut away, would this have caused a problem? My concern was that it might have become a kink or something and hindered my cut away. Please let me know as I am glad I caught this and very concerned that it was left like this, but I'm wondered what the worst case senerio is with this situation. Your input is appreciated. Thanks ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Ok, my mistake - I was told that we were not allowed to jump with other jumpers (except coaches and instructors) until afer we got a license. That could be just DZ rules and not USPA. Thanks for correcting me!

I recently had shorter risers put on my rig. When doing my gear inspection prior to gearing up and jumping, I noticed that the yellow cable to the cutaway system was looped outside my harness. It was too long with the new risers. So, with the end stuck in the little pocket along the risers, the excess just sort of bunched up and created a loop sticking out instead of being nice and flush. I got this fixed prior to jumping. My question - if I hadn't gotten it fixed and had to cut away, would this have caused a problem? My concern was that it might have become a kink or something and hindered my cut away. Please let me know as I am glad I caught this and very concerned that it was left like this, but I'm wondered what the worst case senerio is with this situation. Your input is appreciated. Thanks

Sorry if stating this downplays the great decision making, but isn't it true that you're not supposed to jump with other jumpers until AFTER you get your A license...not to 'work on your A'? ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

QuoteGood ones, Robin

I did get shorter risers, but that didn't do it. Next, I'm going with Bill's suggestion on slinks. After that, I'm not sure what to do as I can't afford a new harness at this point. I'll keep trying. Thanks! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)