havoc996

Buy used gear for sure but have it checked out by a rigger first. Options you want on your container like skyhook, RSL, etc are also important. Whether or not you want a 7 or 9 cell canopy and what size reserve is also something you need to ponder. Research, research, research bud, getting personal preference from local jumpers and why they feel that way is invaluable. finding a rig that is sized properly and whether or not it is freefly friendly or not. If some of these terms are lost on you then you really need to take some more time to learn about sport rigs to make sure you end up with one that allows you to do the kinds of things you want to learn or do. RLTW Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

That is the most pathetic and least enthusiastic panic attack I've ever seen. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

For you it's a must have. Wait til you get a license to even think about why its optional. ^^^^This! Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Definitely school first as all have said, then start talking to people at the DZ about gear. My advice would be to buy an altimeter and helmet first and do your research. Definitely try on the helmets you like as they tend to be very different. As for altimeters there are many different brands and kinds so ask around to see what people are using and why. After those I would look at getting a suit so that you have something consistent to jump in. Other things come later and there is plenty of time so don't rush it. Good luck! Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

I always do three handle checks on the plane. 1st is at 1000 when the belts come off. 2nd is done sometime between 1000 and jump run. 3rd is done beginning of jump run when everyone is getting there helmets on etc. About a month ago we were going up in a CASA with the ramp up and the door up (It was a really hot day). I was in the last seat next to the ramp on the right side of the aircraft because we had a lot of tandems on that load. I had done two of my checks and hadn't moved at all. We had turned onto jump run and people were starting to get ready, as I stood up I went for my hacky to do my 3rd check and felt bridal! Told my bud (thanks Jordan) something was wrong and felt him push me against the wall of the plane and yell to get the door closed. Didn't take half a second to realize what was going on. Since we had a lot of TM's on that load and some very veteran camera fliers it was handled perfectly by everyone. (Thanks Mel!) Pin checks and handle checks save lives no matter how many jumps you have. I was always very aware when I had new jumpers or tandems behind me. I always made sure I did a pin check and multiple handle checks during the ride up. I've even turned around when a tandem student was bumping my rig to explain why they needed to be a bit more careful. Never forget the basics, it'll bite you when you do. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

BEER! Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Because what I am going through is ongoing, I will not go into it online. BUT, I will say this... No one likes a quitter. Just power through it. Nothing in life worth having is easy to obtain. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Safe to assume you mean MFF and not static line? If that's the case, getting a copy of the training manual will be tough unless it is out dated. What kind of info are you looking for exactly? I say this because how we train when it comes to things like this tends to be guarded info. The style of training is quite different in the sense that feelings and fun are not part of the training process. I'm not saying it isn't fun just that you are there to learn a task and pass a course. Also when it comes to military application there are a lot of things that are added that aren't in AFF such as gear and equipment (that aren't your parachute). These add on's change how you will fly and land. There is also going to be night iterations and high altitude stuff involving O2 which aren't part of AFF. I'm sure some MFF guys might be able to elaborate more if they care to. but it'd be easier to say it's AFF on steroids. As far as the build up of skills then yes they would be very similar, crawl, walk, jog, run, sprint, light speed. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Not that I am a guru compared to most on here, but I am new like you so I'm posting up. If you have a desire to remain in this sport and not be permanently disabled (After a large amount of PAIN) or dead I'd suggest you not even think about going smaller than a 180. You are talking about dropping around 80 SF of fabric in one jump. I understand the desire to get to the point of the wing loaded cross braced awesomeness that we see everytime we are at the DZ but I promise you there is NO quicker way to get to that skill level. I would assume you could ask anyone with experience at your DZ and they would tell you the same thing. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Bet that was loads of fun around the camera. Welcome bud. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Maybe this will help you figure out what is causing your issue. I agree that the dr was the first and best step to figuring out what is going on. I know that when my canopy opens up I depressurize lightly and then get on with things. https://www.entnet.org/content/ears-and-altitude Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Did you tell the DR you had recently jumped? Been up in a plane? Have you tried pinching your nose and LIGHTLY blowing out of it. Sometimes re pressurizing takes a little help. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

That's a great vid! Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

THIS ^ I learned in the military and I promise you it was not an enjoyable experience but boy did I know everything that they taught me COLD. skydiving is a fun and exciting experience, but AFF can be a very stressful time for some. I don't know to many people who enjoyed their first few AFF jumps. .............................................................................. Agreed! If you enjoyed military jump school, you are either: A a masochist or B god's gift to the Rangers, SEALs or some group of specialized soldiers we are not allowed to talk about in public. Hah! Hah! NOPE! Not even them riggerrob, I would know. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Yes well our pilots often beat us down and I saw more than one person say they'd never do it again. Doesn't mean I don't love and appreciate you guys. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

THIS ^ I learned in the military and I promise you it was not an enjoyable experience but boy did I know everything that they taught me COLD. skydiving is a fun and exciting experience, but AFF can be a very stressful time for some. I don't know to many people who enjoyed their first few AFF jumps. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Hard to say. There are two sides to every story. Perhaps just caught them on a bad day. Or maybe you're a know it all student and they figure they don't have much to teach you since you already know everything. I'd say ask for a different instructor. If the new one is better then great. If they aren't better then maybe it's you. Sorry I don't have a good filter for feelings but that's my thoughts on it. Also don't forget that although fun, you are there to learn and consequences for not taking what you are learning seriously can be fatal or at the very least extremely painful and permanent. Perhaps it would be easier to understand what happened if you explained what happened instead of just saying "my instructor was a jerk" Were they short with you? uninterested, serious, condescending, what? I very rarely have seen crappy or rude instructors last long at a DZ, Not that I am an authority. Please elaborate a bit and maybe we can help you to have a better learning experience. Either way don't let one bad experience turn you away from one of the greatest sports on the planet. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Do yourself a favor and ride down with a jump pilot once, This will never be an issue again after that I promise. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

I know you're new but...and this is only a suggestion.... you and your lady might want to try some head and shoulders shampoo and maybe some lotion. Looking a little "Cave Couple" in that photo. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Might just be me and I AM NOT an instructor but it looks like you are keeping your left arm in a bit so you can see your altimeter. Check altitude and make sure you go back to symmetrical. Everything said so far is good advice. I find that when I am having trouble with something new that talking to myself helps me. relaaaaax and don't beat yourself up. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

I remember most of my landings feeling like this. ish... http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=045_1399039803 Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

Still a newb but something I haven't seen mentioned yet happened at my DZ a few weeks ago. Had a AFF1 jumper cut away her main because the slider was flapping. She wasn't sure it was supposed to do that. I think it's hard sometimes to remember what it's like to be BRAND NEW to this sport. There is so much to take in and you're constantly looking around and asking questions. For many it is one of the only activities where it is fun but at the same time serious. It's easy to take something simple for granted when it is so ingrained in our mind but for the AFF1 jumper there is nothing simple or ingrained yet. When people ask me about skydiving (because it's SOOOOOO dangerous and scary) I typically use a GUN analogy. Can be a lot of fun, but you better follow the rules to the letter or you can easily kill yourself or someone else. Both disciplines rely on repetition and redundancy to assure safety. New people to either discipline make mistakes and when I teach firearms to anyone I always try and remember what it's like to feel apprehension due to lack of knowledge. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

For me it wasn't about the money when I joined or decided not to shop at home depot. It was and still is about the service I got. Take the VA out of this for a moment. The woman behind the register wanted to nitpick and when it came right down to it was enjoying the feeling of power she had over me getting or not getting the 10% discount. In reality that's 3% over what the sales tax is. this was on an $8.00 purchase more or less. I considered getting a manager since I'm sure he would have seen the logic in making the customer happy by loosing the $.50 on the sale. But there was a decent line and it wasn't worth it to me. I will also add that another woman a few people back in the line left her stuff and walked out behind me. She said she couldn't believe the way the woman was acting. Those who know me will tell you I am as calm and understanding as they come. I didn't raise my voice or get a condescending tone with her. I simply tried to explain my position. in the end I set the two cans on the counter and said thank you for your time but I will not be buying these and left. She caused them to lose a customer for life. Now while I didn't sign up and go to war for a discount. I do not expect to be haggling over whether or not I got my VA card for the right reasons. Now not once has there ever been a hassle at a lowes. If you had the choice between two places, to get the same item, and one place was 10% cheaper, I'm fairly certain you would do that. The only reason I piped up is that I had this experience and said nothing. Then a month or so later another vet I know posted a rant on FB about the same thing, then another, and another. Home Depot is losing veteran business pretty quickly over this issue. I am not spending thousands of dollars on a regular basis at lowes but i promise you that the amount I have spent since the incident far exceeds the $.50 that caused them to lose me as a customer. Well that and the customer service. I do see the point you made though which is why I wanted to clarify. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

I got hassled at home depot because my VA card didn't say service connected. It was over 2 cans of expanding foam. I left them there and told the lady at the register (who was really enjoying flexing her authority) I'd never be back. This is not the first I have heard of this and have many friends from my old Battalion who have multiple combat deployments who will never go back either. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.

"If the only or best way to prevent or stop this from happening was to shoot the defendant in the courtroom, then security had already utterly failed before he ever jumped out of his chair." This is 100% true. there are plenty of ways to secure a defendant without his hands being bound. Ankle shackles and a ring on the floor would do. Nobody would see them and the defendant could appear free. when moving then you make sure a guard has hands on. Either way, given the circumstances this agent acted when everyone else probably just gasped and pointed or hid in fear. Trail mix? Oh, you mean M&M's with obstacles.