sammielu

Ultimately it's a money question. Do you want to pay $6k for all new stuff and then wait months for it to arrive? A compromise: used container sent to manufacturer for a custom fit harness. It will save you a ton over a new container. I did it with my Vector, it was 4 weeks and $550 on top of a $2800 complete rig (AAD separate) that will last me as long as I want to jump and takes me through all the different disciplines I fly. If you want to do that your first stop is your rigger to learn which manufacturers are the best to work with in this scenario (I had great service from UPT for my Vector 3 and know Sun Path (Javelin) and Velocity Sports Equipment (Infinity) also excel at customer service and would be good for making changes like that - some other manufacturers not so much, this is where your riggers info comes in), and to determine an appropriate yoke measurement to look for in such a used rig. You're looking for average canopy sizes, so used gear is definitely an option for you and can be faster than waiting for new stuff to be made. Cost savings for me translated to 500 jumps my first year, so it was worth it to me personally (my goal is to jump and keep jumping as much and for as long as possible).

^^^Yes. And stop looking at your canopy. When you pull, stare at a spot on the horizon straight in front of you and push your legs down. Don't look away from that spot until fully open, stare it down.

Why do you want to downsize this time and would that apply in the future? High performance landings can be performed at any wingloading on any canopy, it absolutely and only depends on the skill of the pilot.

Good on you for checking the PC with your rigger. You've probably eliminated that one possible culprit. Now on to the rest we've listed in this thread: Get someone else to pack for you. Get video of your opening to look at body position and what happens to the container. Read the manual for your container to be sure you pack it correctly. Have your kill line checked. Check your line lengths. Have a rigger watch you pack. How about: pack and jump another rig and see how openings are.

You say you watched for clearance and then started to count... that may be the culprit here. The purpose of counting IS to get you clearance. If you watched them get clear and THEN started to count you did take to long. The other option to get clearance is a ruler 1000' long (or guessing, which is unreliable, even whend using the 45 degree rule to help guess). Sounds like you need a refresher. Take cold beer to an instructor at the end of their day and ask for a review of exit separation, why it's important, and how to get that information at your dz. You can get groundspeed and/or the exit separation information in different places at different dz's, sometimes it's posted, sometimes they tell you in the plane, etc. Find it. They might not have exact information before the first load of the day, but will have a plan afterwards. Also, consider that there are other factors for TI'S to yell. Maybe they were counting and you were late, maybe their passenger was sitting on their balls, who knows.

Sounds like the doctors said it's ok as long as you wear a brace so wear the brace and do everything you can to prevent high impacts in freefall (chose who you jump with, watch out for other groups on the plane who might slide into your airspace, don't trust anyone, etc to be safe) and under canopy. You can always go jump off something 2-3' high (a porch, back of a truck, etc) and see how that feels. Questions like that are easier for doctors to understand than the unknown world of skydiving. And consider the consequences if something unforseen happens and you do reinjure. Can you handle the medical, financial, and mobility consequences if you or another jumper makes mistake?

I recently received the best skydiving advice I've gotten in a long time and I'll pass it on yo you: Skydiving requires a balance of thinking and doing, and right now you've got a whole bunch of thinking about packing and zero doing. Packing takes practice, tons of practice. Take your class, practice a bunch, you'll be fine. With all things, as a new jumper, be really careful who you listen too. Everyone wants to help the new jumper, especially to share their "tricks" - but not everyone knows what they're talking about. Plus if you are constantly trying to change your packjobs by incorporating this "trick" or that shortcut, you're taking away the repetition that is required to be a proficient packer. Tips snd tricks should come from your instructors or riggers, period. If you want to know why someone would do the "reverse S fold" and what to watch out for when doing so, that's a rigger questiin, not a friendly helpful jumper who hear it from someone else who swears it's easier. To say it another way: Take the class. Learn to pack that way until you're proficient - then consider making changes only if you understand what you are changing and the risks. FYI it IS easier to pack: -used canopies (700+ jumps used, not 25 or 200 jumps) -canopies properly fitted for the container, or possibly one size down It IS harder to pack: -canopies into a container where the reserve as big as possibe for the container size and the main is as big as possible too. -brand new canopies. Save yourself some headaches, pay your packer for the first 10 packjobs ($10 is fair for the first 5 IMO, those garbage bag slippery brand new shiny things are terrible!) and strongly consider getting the first 25 packed for you. It is super common for new jumpers to buy all brand new everything, with the biggest possible canopies to shove into their container, and they're new at packing so they have every way to make packing difficult all at the same time. They end up sweaty, tired, and embarrassed from just packing, so they jump even less than the slow packjobs require... people burn out that way all the time. Don't let that be you. I highly highly recommend mentally adding $200 to the cost of a new canopy vs a used one to cover packjobs. If that alone doesn't justify buying a used one, the effort to pack them should (because that effort could go into jumps).

Skydiving is really complicated and confusing to learn all at once. For newcomers to the sport, instructors break it down into manageable pieces of information that you add on through training jumps, then later licensed jumps, and build knowledge from there. Problems can happen and be resolved in less than a second so there is no time for confusion. The same applies to people new to looking for skydiving information on the Internet - trying to take it all in at once leads to confusion. The correct answer for licensed jumpers is: it depends (on the jumper, the gear, the malfunction, and the specific scenario). The correct answer to you is: listen to your instructors. If you don't yet have instructors because you haven't done any jump training, then start training (go to a first jump course).

^^^This! Or: buy a well-used canopy that easier for you to pack. I jumped rental Triathalons that were so not slippery they were almost sticky for 180ish jumps after getting licensed. Easy way to learn! Since then, I only buy canopies with 800+ jumps on them - saves me money (just do the math before buying to account for new line sets) plus I can pack easier! That's the ultimate way to be lazy and cheap :)

How much pressure does it take to break rubber bands? I'm not a rigger but I think it's 12lb??? How much pressure can your nexk take without injury? I'm not a fan of the chin mounts. I'd rather lose a camera that is stickied to the top of my head or use the cutaway on my G3 or camera helmet.

Change "coach" to instructor. As an instructor, I really don't want newbies to take advice from 100-jump wonder coaches. How about including the concept of "change only one thing at a time" - and only once you are comfortable/automatic about your current gear. Regarding a new altimeter I recommend jumping the type you're used to alongside the new one you bought until you can read the new one without needing any mental time to translate it. That helmet stuff is a hornets nest. Skydive helmets are built for minimal protection but are lightweight and appropriate for skydive wind speeds. The article suggests researching non-skydive helmets for safety features, however those helmets and all thst safety stuff does not apply to skydive helmets. Other than a few half-shell type helmets (i.e. a Benny) only skydive helmets should be used on skydives. Also add that different helmets require additional/different steps (opening a visor after canopy opening, getting a helmet cutaway and practicing using it, considering helmet/goggle combinations, considering camera (and again helmet cutaway) options for the future. Your suggested order to purchase gear is good, but that should be expanded regarding rig components, i.e. first identify safe canopy sizes, get measured by a rigger or dealer, then look for gear in the following order with or without an AAD: Container Container + Reserve Container + Reserve + Main Then add AAD Definitely discuss basic canopy differences and size appropriate considerations for mains AND reserves (that next jump could be on that reserve!). What about including the basics of buying a used container and having the harness resized? Advice regarding talking to their local rigger and following their advice for what brands and ages of gear they prefer (and those that that individual rigger won't pack or wouldn't recommend for a container resize, etc). List of complete components included with a container? Mars M2 AADs are the cheapest ones on the market year over year and are the only current AAD that doesn't require paying a rigger to uninstall, ship to the manufacturer for batteries or maintenance, wait, ship it back, then reinstall at some point during the AADs service life. That is something that consumers deserve to know about to consider what works for them. Why not point to dz.com for a million threads on used gear, comparing components, etc. Where should jumpers even look to buy new or used gear? Where/methods to avoid getting scammed on used gear? How about some resources from manufacturers for info, how to choose a canopy, etc? Overall, this article is very generic with a wacky tangent about non-skydive helmets. It leaves the reader with the idea that they should buy used or new... and that's all. If this is a place to start, provide some next steps.

Listen to your instructors. Always. They know you, your judgement, your perception of your abilities, and see your jumps snd landings. They say 230, so go 230. Or listen to some random people on the internet... your choice. You dont give a single reason for you to downsize aside from money (equipment availability comes down to money)... a landing injury costs more than getting yourself a 230sf canopy that is more readily available that what you have, plus you can't jump when you're hurt. Go 230.

My only cutaway was jump #44. Seeing how I handled it gave me a ton of confidence - that I share with my tandem customers now. I KNOW that I will handle a skydiving emergency with a level head, follow my procedures, and will probaby have the best landing (and closing customer service, if applicable), until I put my gear in the loft. Then I will lose my shit, cry, and freak out for about 15 min. Then I'll go jump again. Knowing you will save your own life when applicable is a really good feeling. That experience was part of why my parents support me jumping, and jumping for a living.

Freefall skydives last 60 seconds max. With wind noise, etc, I don't know of people having luck using Bluetooth for freefall (plus 60 seconds isn't much time to process what someone is saying and change what you are doing). Under canopy it's quiet and there's much more time for coaching and communication. I haven't used your model in particular (I use Sena radios that we got for free as hand-me downs from sponsored teams) - but using Bluetooth radios is very common there (among canopy pilots, Canopy Relative Work jumpers and competition teams).

IMO it's less risky to have all groups opening at the same time (vs 25 seconds later). Sure there are more obstacles in the sky and there is a possible mathematical higher chance that we will hit each other - but canopy collisions happen when we're all heading to the same place for landing, not due to chance. Everyone open at the same time and altitude gives us more time to see each other, more time to establish vertical separation and to stay out of each other's way. Staggering opening times with the example of FF out first with huge separation between groups means I'm less likely to see the other canopies and more likely to be surprised or in their way.

Containers all have specific sized canopies they can hold and you can look up those numbers from either manufacturer. The "10%" of the Curve means the container sized for a 170 canopy might take up less space on your back than a 170 container from another manufacturer - NOT that a Curv container sized for a 170 is actually (secretly) sized for a 180-190. It is difficult to cram the max size main into any container - easier with canopies that are low pack volume, or 7 cells, or non brand new slippery canopies. This problem is bigger when you put the biggest possible reserve in the container as well. For specific canopies in a specific rig, talk to your manufacturer or rigger (who will talk to the manufacturer).

Yes, sometimes, when I remember that I jump because I love it and it feeds my soul with joy. No when I let the work part get me down. I started 5 years ago and pushed hard - I had 1000 jumps when I finally hit my 3 year mark and could get my TI rating. I was a Static Line instructor full time for a year and then a full time TI for a year, and now I'm trying to have 2 part time jobs (so I only have to do Tandems in the summer) so I have more time to fun jump and organize. Also I tend to get pissed and discouraged when other people aren't smart (i.e. please don't downsize if your landings suck, please please please). Yes when I just go jump, smile, repeat. I'm conservative, get coaching as often as possible, and have maintained my personal standards for currency (hanging harness practice every month, lots of visualization, taking every opportunity I can to teach/coach others because it's a refresher for me as well). I've doubled the minimum jump requirements for every rating and every downsize (4 total downsizes from my student 200 to my current 150) and keep a summer (super current! 10sf smaller!) canopy separate from my winter (not as current, more travel to other dz's) canopy. CRW can be as safe as you want it to be - just like with the rest of skydiving, most malfunctions/mistakes/injuries/fatalities are human related not gear related. Keep your head on straight and you'll be fine! PS. Thanks for this thread. I needed it.

It'll be interesting to see if you get responses from people with experience with both rigs. It is really rare for jumpers to buy 2 new rigs from different manufacturers, especially at that canopy size. Usually people get something used, eventually might get something new, and sometimes if they work in the sport order 2-3 duplicate new rigs (so switching back and forth feels and functions the same). You're likely to hear that one is "the best" because it's the only one that someone has ever jumped... and no further information. Those are both great manufacturers, the top 2 in my opinion and my riggers opinion. Also both are sexy rigs, so you've got all your bases covered.

Come to your AFF course ready to learn. Be rested and hydrated, bring lunch/snacks, etc so your body is ready. (Don't do what I did and drink too much coffee! )

^ yes. More of those. Full face helmet with internal gopro mount and as much peripheral vision as you can give me, and a cutaway system.

Yes you're normal. Keep at it. Asking questions is good (be careful who you ask though, instructors and riggers first), just remember that if you keep learning new ways to pack and changing the process, you're slowing down your learning. Just keep jumping and practicing.

Have an experienced rigger (one who is good at repairs and sewing, not just repacks) look at anything wierd you want to wear while jumping. Usually the only way to keep clothing in place is to sew it - and a rigger will know more about what that takes than any other seamstress. I recommend jumping the shoes alone to practice landing skills before going full costume - change only one thing at a time - if that's your clothes, cool, just be smart about it and get an in person gear (and costume!) check before you go.

I change batteries approx once per year on all 4 of my altimeters. I'm not familiar with a Stella altimeter.

If the picture is shaky, your camera is bouncing around in freefall - likely a loose helmet, mount thst has some play/motion in it, not so good freefall skills, or a combination. I'm no help with video editing though.

Sounds like it's time for you to get a flysight.