Ruffles

When I was 17, I did static line. I did 3 jumps and each one scared the shit out of me more than the last. I didn't like the idea of being so low to the ground in general and maybe having to deal with a mal (our SL was at 3000-3500 ft AGL. Suffice to say, it scared me so bad I quit jumping for 12 years until I discovered there was AFF. AFF was scary too, but nowhere near the absolute panic I felt during SL. Thats my experience, and I'm sure everyone's is different, but if it wasn't for AFF, I wouldn't be jumping right now. BTW- I still hate hop-n-pops to this day because of my SL experience.

Pull at 4, hard at 2500, but it's unlikely that I'm going to be looking at my altimeter again if I look up at 3700 and see a nasty-ass canopy or bag-lock, so 2500 is kind of a mute point for me sans line twists.

Yeah same thing happened to me. Took like 2 weeks before I got my hearing back. I can't explain the physiology of it, but something about inner fluid getting displaced due to pressure increase during freefall. I won't do that again.

Okay, low-timer here, but I can provide relevant and credible advice on this particular topic because I jump a Sil-210 and I am newbie like yourself. My exit weight is like 230 which puts me at about 1.1:1.. The first time I jumped it, I thought my hair was on fire. I transitioned from a PD-210. Sil-210 is plenty fast at 1.1. I wouldn't want to try at 1.25, even after 80 some-odd jumps on it. I haven't had any problems landing it and it hasn't scared me yet, but at 1.25 it probably would. Given the last 50 posts in the "incidents" forum, I shouldn't need to convince you that a 230 would be FAR better choice. For some more detailed words of wisdom from an expert, PM BillVon. He's a huge Silhouette fan and he jumps them regularly. Silhouette is a awesome canopy to learn on, but the 230 is really the only choice for you my friend.

Throw in some low-timer two cents for the high timers out there I see fighting so hard to make things right. I and many others like me hear you loud and clear. However, the thing that is making all of you blood pressures sky rocket is that you cannot accept the lead a horse to water concept. The personality types that are attracted to this sport are inherently arrogant and independant (like myself). SOMETIMES this personality demographic leads to deafness. You can put the info out there, but like the thread's basis, the morons will not hear. You can scream, preach, rant, TYPE IN BOLD, write great books and show videos, but they will never get it. Case in point: a guy that I did AFF about the same time with is now jumping a stilleto at 1.45 and swooping like a skygod. People talked to him, counseled him, he ate shit once that I have seen, and he's still thinking about downsizing. There is no point, it is hopeless. You guys do the best you can, I and many others appreciate it and we're proabably still breathing because of it, but this pointless cyclical agruing that goes on sometimes in these forums is just increasing your risk of heart disease. Its terrible to watch, but evolution will inevitably have its way. Its not your fault, you did all you could. This goes with the sport, unless you want the FAA to regulate it and give psychological profile tests as a rating requirement.

Been reading the incidents posts and there seems to be a rash of "canopy collapsed" reports. I understand the physics of the canopy collapse (I think): turbulence or wind shear causes air to escape from the cells instead of filling them, one side collapses, canopy spins, etc. My question is, are the cross-braced and very small (

Sorry Slug, I clicked on the wrong reply. It was in reply to the reply of the reply of the guy who originally started this flaming thread. I can no longer "edit post" unfortunately, but I hereby post this formal retraction: My rant was not in response to Slug in anyway, shape, or form, and any connection between Slug's post and my post is purely coincidental.

What was this originally about again? Somebody you know smokes pot and packs reserves (not necessarily in that order) and this pisses you off. You wanted feedback on what we thought, we don't all agree with you. Solution: Don't have them pack your reserve again, and accept that everyone has different perspectives that are no worse or better than your own...End of thread. I don't appreciate being called "stupid" because I don't see the world through your indoctrinated eyes. .

I wasn't referring to the coaches, I was talking about the people at the front desk that I talked to on the phone. I totally trust the coaches. More good tips, thanks, but does the helmet have to be full-face or will a bonehead do?

As long as it isn't during or immediately before the repack, s'all good. I'd be more concerned about him accidentally dropping the cherry into my rig or spilling bong water on it than I would about his packing acumen. 4:19 .

How would you feel if you knew your rigger drank beer? Would you let him pack your rig?

Yeah, that sounds good. I think we're gonna stick with our 1 hr/30 mins each plan ($400 a piece) and go from there. I understand that some people have referred to tunnel training as the "crack house" as it's rather addictive. Fortunately I don't live too far from Perris; sounds like I may be making more than one trip up there. I have a coach cming with us from my DZ (a little cheaper). Thanks for the advice gang..

OK, so the are talking in terms of 15 minute blocks, but that isn't 15 consecutive minutes necessarily? You really get that beat after 2 minutes in there, huh? It doesn't look that energy-consuming, but I'll take your word for it. I was thinking a 30 minute block for each of us; too much, too little?

My buddy and I are going to book some coached tunnel time at Perris soon. We each have just shy of 100 jumps and we're into the RW thing. I am dubious of the answers I get regarding "how much time is adequate to book", when asking people that profit from such things, so I figured I put it out to you guys. For two low-timers, whats a good amount of time for our first attempt at tunnel training? I'd like to take some noticeably improved skills back to my DZ, but I have to pay for my internet porn subscriptions and my mortgage as well...

That makes me feel more confident. I thought it was in the neighborhood of 25-35 lbs! I was just reading the story on the English girl with the PC in tow mal (I understand it was uncocked) and it got me thinking. Thanks guys. .

I am a rookie packer and sometimes my bag volumes vary a little bit from packjob to pack job, thereby making my closing loop a little more or less tight. Two questions: Whats a good method for evaluating if the loop is too tight and does anyone know how many (approximately) pounds of pressure a PC puts on the pin when it pulls it out?

Hey Night- I know what you mean when you talk about line tension, but what do you mean by line order? Are you refering to the stows, the flaking? I wanna make sure to pay attention to this the next time I pack, if it has gotten you through 1350 jumps without a chop. Thx

When I bought my rig (Silhouette 210), it had no kill line. I bought a new container, and with it, a regular kill-line. I totally noticed a huge difference in speed (way faster). My loading is 1.1 to 1; if you're anywhere near there, I can't imagine you won't notice a major difference too. Just don't forget to cock the damn thing when you pack (I noticed it seems to function better when its cocked).:) .

Thats interesting because my Protrack won't beep my second level alert if I have already deployed. Can you tell me how to get it to beep at the second warning even if I'm already under canopy? That would be cool for low speed mals and such, but I have no clue how to program the thing to do this. Thx

I'm no instructor, however, I'm positive they mean from your feet to ground... Secondly, my friend (poor bastard) just bought a Falcon, and that thing has no friggin' flare at all. He hadn't eaten shit yet, until he tried landing that thing. I saw him leave a 3 foot trench with his feet in the taxiway. Thats kinda what you get when you jump smaller F111 I guess. The problem you have on the Falcon may be somewhat due to the canopy. $.02 .

"DOWN to 16 weeks"!!!@!!!????? Good Christ, what was it before? 4 months for a rig is ridiculous. .

I have some black and blues on my inner thighs that appeared twice when I didn't roll my nose. Objectively speaking, the appearance of these little pain trophies and their absence when I roll the nose indicates it does make a difference, however so slight. I may give the dead chicken thing a try.... /

Anyone out there have or know where I can find a video of an actual line dump. I know what it is in theory, but I've never seen it what it looks like. Thx .

I had to do 5 twice.... and my A license hop-n-pop twice, if that makes you feel better. I started my 180 turns on level five and it turned into about 25 360's before my instrucotr stopped me. That was fun... I almost quit that day. Glad I didn't.

Yeah SkyCat, I tried that tie thing once and it left me singing falsetto, as it tended to shift the brunt force directly onto my boys. Good advice for girls though probably. I had those same bruises you speak of after every AFF jump until I got my own rig. It has padded leg straps that are custom fit and I haven't had any brusing/pain on opening since. I know that doesn't help you now, but know that it will go away when you get youre own stuff. Til then, ice and lots of beer afterwards. .