tetra316

Be aware that more dz's are now mandating AADs.

What if trying to "save a life" utilizing these methods actually costs a life? This is a good example of well intentioned advice from [edited for political correctness]. I expect instructors to use their judgment, not follow rules to cover their ass. The same is expected from students. Use your training and your judgement. Take responsibility. Don't use the instructor on the radio to cover your ass in the event of a mistake. If you can't handle the responsibility, don't jump. This is skydiving not bowling. You could die. How's that for blunt

I replaced the velcro wrist strap on my altimeter with elastic. It is sown shut so I just slip my hand through the loop to put it on. Works like a charm. I decided I didn't want the velcro picking at my new spandex sleeves jumpsuit

Oregon is a no fault state in regards to blame if hit from behind in a motor vehicle incident. I'm not talking about insurance coverage, just blame. If you are hit from behind then it is automatically the other person's fault. Insurance on the other hand...depends if they have it.

I'm probably not as young as you think but I'm not that old either. I learned with a mix of old and new school trends. But with no radios. Just have some different opinions than some it seems. I posted this in effort to get some other opinions. I'm not saying radios should not be used at all. I do think they are good tool IF used correctly. But too many seem to be using them incorrectly, at least from what I've witnessed at more than one dz.

So was it a side by side then? Oregon had a no fault law, if you get hit from behind, it's his fault.

You really haven't been around much, have you. Get out and around more and you'll see what I mean. I have seen some exert total control and dictate every move. Also read some earlier posts. Others have experienced this first hand.

I do admit they are a pretty good idea but I can't help think it takes away some of the learning process. I'm not advocating no ground to air instructions at all, just questioning the total control some seem to exert over students under canopy without letting them learn and yes, make some mistakes. At a bare minimum arrows on the ground or paddles to provide some guidance are great tools. But dictating every move of a student under canopy is not. What happens when they are taken off the radio? They don't know how to fly their canopy without instructions and make stupid mistakes that should have been made in the first couple jumps off AFF when there were perhaps fewer canopies in the air. In these cases I think radios delay the learning process rather than supplement it.

And this is why I think radios can be a bad idea. It sounds like you want no responsibility but would rather have someone telling you what to do every step of the way. If that's the case skydiving is not for you! You and you alone are responsible for you actions or in-actions. That is why the first jump course plus additional ground training is several hours long. If you don't feel ready to make a jump after that without a radio, you need more training. What if the radio had malfunctioned the first jump?

Well, that`s exactly what I was talking about, Suck it up and save money, buy something and then jump whatever he wants. And you jump to conclusion that he gets "free" jumps. There is no such thing as free lunch. He will work it out one way or another. Been there, done that. I did my first 300+ jumps in similar arrangement, when I finally bought my first chute and started jumping what I really wanted, I got kicked out of my DZ. This part of the world has it`s own quirks that most of you people from the "west" don`t understand. Imagine that somebody says to you that you are going to do only, and only, CRW jumps (no pun intended). I bet you would get tired of it pretty fast... But we hijacked the thread... He is going to have hard time finding canopy and adequate coach. Transitional canopies in 190 sqft range and CP coaching here are almost non-existant. If he doesn't like it then he can always quit jumping

Tough luck, I don't think so He is getting free jumps with all the gear provided. If he wants to jump something else, suck it up and buy what he wants. We all did. Free jumps in the US is unheard of like you are explaining.

Also wasn't the fatality on the RDS due to the guy taking too long in messing with the system along with other errors. The fatality on the velco system was due to the velco not releasing a cutaway canopy. Please correct me if I'm wrong on the RDS. Has there been any rigging issues that directly led to the inability to cutaway resulting in a fatality?

You do know there was at least one fatality due to a canopy that would not release from a velcro keeper on the rig, right? Why chance it? There is also a fatality contributed to a RDS. So why chance it? Because we all choose to accept varying degrees of risk for certain rewards. I don't do either so I'm more biased to that end.

You do know there was at least one fatality due to a canopy that would not release from a velcro keeper on the rig, right? Why chance it?

Yes, that can present a whole new set of problems, including the need to train the jumper in the use of the tert. which is worn up front and requires a different body position for deployment. Now he must perform a cutaway and reserve pull and still be prepared to use a totally unfamiliar reserve system. Not true. I have several intentional cut aways with a three canopies without a belly set. A local jumper had a manufacturer make a harness system with a three ring attachment system that you can cutaway. We wore that under out normal rig. Exited with the third canopy in a paper bag and deployed on exit. Just hold onto it for a few to clear the tail. So, do you think that would be a better arrangement than the "normal" tertiary system for a low-timer to use for cutaway training purposes? All the handles in the correct places, etc.? I dunno.....just asking.

For carry on purposes I highly suggest looking at regular back packs or daypacks/hiking backpacks that just fit youf rig. They will be smaller in dimensions and more comfortable lugging around the airport. I use an old eagle creek backpacking pack I have. works perfect and is smaller than any other gear bag.

Yes, that can present a whole new set of problems, including the need to train the jumper in the use of the tert. which is worn up front and requires a different body position for deployment. Now he must perform a cutaway and reserve pull and still be prepared to use a totally unfamiliar reserve system. Not true. I have several intentional cut aways with a three canopies without a belly set. A local jumper had a manufacturer make a harness system with a three ring attachment system that you can cutaway. We wore that under out normal rig. Exited with the third canopy in a paper bag and deployed on exit. Just hold onto it for a few to clear the tail.

So basically on a reserve that was packed properly it makes no difference. But on a reserve that was packed with a closing loop too long, the change negates this?

What is the price? Will you have to buy a new battery in that time?

Does anyone have a picture of him?

what is the status of VFR and skydiving operations ? I know of at least one dz in Luxembourg that is closed as well.

Lutz? Did he have a radio?

The Canadian incident in that thread and the dicussion of exactly what words to use or not to use when giving a student radio instructions under canopy is interesting. I rather think the whole idea of using radios to begin with takes away the responsibility from the student and intead places it on the radio operator. The exact opposite of what should be happening. When I went through my training, we were drilled on the landing pattern, initiation altitudes for downwind, base and final and when to flare. We were also drilled on recognizing mals and the whole is it there, square and steerable factor. We had no radios. Granted we did have someone in the landing area with paddles but those generally were only used for the last 200 or so feet and to tell the student exactly when to flare. Why does everyone seem to think radios are a necessity today? Why can't students be trained enough to accept responsibility for themselves? I especially think this would be an advantage in any incident in that the blame can be laid no where else except on the student. Train them correctly and completely and if they choose to accept the risk and jump it's their responsibility. We all know, and in the case of students they should definitely be told, that sometimes shit happens and you die. But we still jump. What are your thoughts? Why are radios better then training and letting the students take responsibility? Does the military use radios for training jumps?

I know of this Oleg: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31211528&id=1377411247#!/profile.php?v=wall&id=100000547751489

It's more teoretical question, not decision :). 2 solutions for now: 1. Standart chest strap + extender 2. Looong chest strap, not very practical for every day jumps. Why do you think a long chest strap is not practical? I actually had Infinity put an extra long chest strap on my rig. At the time (4 ish years ago?) they said that was the longest chest strap they had installed. I just fold it over twice more than normal and there is no any extra 'bulk' that makes any difference. fyi-I just like the longer straps as I like to loosen it under canopy, makes it more comfortable for me. And no I don't swoop.