SecondRound

So far, Crickets

I have used my EMT training at least once a season. I was an EMT before I started jumping. Having the knowledge to stabilize an injury and when to call an ambulance can do a lot to improve an outcome.

Thanks for the input. I am posting an ISO in the classifieds. I am pretty average sized so that may work against me. I want something that will take my 176 and with a reserve that won't make me work to land or repack.

Any suggestions about fitting a 176 Lightning? It looks to me like CRW fit is a lot different than free-fly fit. I am a rigger and I plan to pack in a tail-pocket.

Brian, You videos are incredible! The only reason I didn't buy your incredible package offer was the fact that I already have all of them. Please continue your efforts to keep us all safe.

Fairly new at the sport and had the chance to travel. What you have said is true and valuable. After a few forays to new places the BS detector gets tuned and you learn who to trust for a real no-shitter info dump.

Don't forget the firebolt which has 4 brake lines and only sets 2 of them. The combination of set and unset brakes gives a very pleasant opening.

Coming up on 100 jumps. Paid for all. When I get a coach rating I will continue to pay for my jumps. I have the good fortune to be a a Drop Zone where I have benefited from the experience of those around me at no cost to me and I figure that I have a lot of pay forward ahead of me.

Six DZs in Four states in 2.5 years, plus four Tunnels

My beer rig was used and worked out fairly well. Looking to add a second rig for short calls and to set one up for serious FS and possibly bigway jumps. Got my first suit made to measure after buying used and was surprised at the difference. I am hoping to see a similar improvement in fit with a made to measure harness and container.

Looking at buying a complete rig. What has been your experience, is it a better bargain to buy a package from a dealer or to shop for individual pieces and put together a rig that way? There may be no one right answer, but I want to hear your input based on your experience. Thanks.

Your point about paying attention to the local expert is well taken. In this case the local advice exactly matches the recommendation of the Canopy Piloting professional who taught my canopy flight courses in both model of canopy and recommended size. I am definitely going to find a PD demo opportunity and see for myself. I appreciate all the input I have been given.

Thinking about a Pulse for my next Canopy. I am a FS Skydiver and it is highly recommended by my local experts. At the same time I hear and read strong opinions about how poorly it flares. Why the sharp divide as to how the Pulse lands?

The cost per minute in a tunnel is so high that having a coach pays off in my opinion. My 5 hours of tunnel are about evenly divided between coached and non-coached and in retrospect I doubt if I will ever go without a coach again. As a beginner, it is good to have a coach to catch and correct mistakes before they become bad habits. I only have 5 hours and this is only my experience and opinion, enjoy your tunnel time.

The Brian Germaine video listed in the books and video listings was helpful for me. It has some helpful tips on taming a slippery canopy and the production makes it very watchable

Found the DZ to be too busy to have much of a personality. They have a lot of aircraft and great facilities, but there is not much sense of welcome and the staff sometimes comes off like the Skygods of earlier times. It is probably a great place if you are a student or the member of a high profile team. Not so great if you are a fun jumper looking to make a few jumps. I will probably not return since there are other choices, but I would not hesitate to participate in an organized camp or activity.

Came to the DZ to jump, but that did not work and I ended up at the tunnel. Every member of the staff made me feel welcome. I was able to schedule a coached session which turned out to exceeded my expectations in every way. My coach did a great job of gauging my skill level then proceeded to coach me to definite progress using great technique and a lot of positive reinforcement. I had a great time and will be back.

This was my first made to measure suit. I have three other suits that I refer to as my Goldilocks suit - too short, too long, too tight. Got measured by my local dealer got got a perfect fit. The suit arrived promptly and after trying it out in the tunnel, I can't wait to try it out in the sky. The Majik style booties give a noticeable amount of power and control. Just a great FS suit overall.

No bets, The strictness of enforcement varies from airline to airline.

Last Spring I was in your situation and I chose DeLand for the very reasons Skymama gives. It was a great trip with a lot of learning and fun.

Mine was 266 but the draft ended before I was in line.

+1

At kind of a crossroad myself. 1 jump on my last reserve repack. A shitty jump on my last jump, and the feeling that I will never be one of the "cool kids". I have a rig with one year left on the AAD and a chute whose wingloading is at a beginner level. Trying to feel positive over a winter layoff is getting harder and I don't want to give up the sky, but there is less joy than before. Getting started and getting an A license was great, but now what?

I went to DeLand last spring for some coaching and 2 flight-1 courses. Best thing I did was to get current with Rob over at Skydive U then get some coach jumps after my course. The professionalism and organization at the DZ more than compensate for its size. I had 60 jumps at the time, mostly at a Cessna DZ and I improved as a lot over the course of the 6 days.

Neither of the above. I received very generous help and teaching in my journey to my A license and I want to be in a position to pay forward what I have received by being able to jump with novices and hopefully helping them progress.