rp4643

I broke both Ankles in three places(each) during my landing in Skydive nine. Not sure I'll ever be able to skydive again. Docs tell me too much at risk with even a small bad landing. Looks like I may be cut short from moving on to jump 10. You all have fun and enjoy the Blue Skies.

Thanks for that comment I was starting to think it was only me. I kept hearing a radio is essential for your first few jumps to get the feeling. I think it does help, least that's what my partner I started jumping with told me. I sure as hell wish I had a working radio on my second skydive. Quote

Because that's the way things are? Some DZ's have goggles that have crappy straps, gear that doesn't fit some students well, poor instruction on how to fly if a radio fails, overly busy instructors trying to sneak in an AFF between tandems, and so on. It can be hard for students to know what is just a case of "well, that's the way it is in skydiving sometimes", versus "this place sucks, I should leave!". That being said, you are right that one should at least bring issues up. E.g., If there's a problem reading the alti, is it an old scratched one or did the student not put it on tight enough or are they taking too little time to glance at it? Thats exactly how I felt. it was like here is your bucket of goggles just pick one out a pair. Then I get done with my jump and while I'm walking over Im told everything I did wrong and then the instructor is calling for a tandem student. I mean really. Im left sitting there wondering whats next. Finally im told to see blah blah for the next skydive. Really as a newbie you dont know whats normal and whats not so how do you know? Again, I made a poor decision of not going back to DZ one. On the other hand Drop zone two was highly recommended. Ive spent a total of $1200 not to mention my travel expense ($400) and I'm still on Cat B or AFF2. Seems me passing AFF1 a week prior at DZ1 didn't hold much water at drop zone 2. Live and learn I guess. BTW I have shown my disappointment with DZ2. Quote

Exactly and well stated, Like I said you live and learn and im sure doing that in this sport.Quote

Thanks Catyduck, I agree with you, Im not blaming anyone just myself. Quote

Not much to say about that other then its all about my own responsible being. I'll get there, believe me I will. Btw, I did invest in some goggles and im looking for a altimeter with a large face. The radio, Ive given up with trying to figure that one out, they either work or they dont, so whats the sense? Well I should say they worked great at DZ number one and helped students greatly. So whatever, Lol, see u in the sky. Quote

Agree, no argument from me, but really this is 2013 not 1960. Skydiving has advanced greatly and we cant afford a student a communications device that is reliable. We cant look at a training video? Because why? Really. Ok, then rule one loose the radio totally as it gives some students false dependence, not good and secondly dont say wind tunnel time is needed to be a skydiver. These are tools not required to learn. Sounds like ill be inventing a skydive radio that can be used between skydivers in the air and on the ground. Think of being able to communicate like we do while scuba diving, by talking. Quote

Yep true that , I did so and have used PLF Quote

Radios are simply not necessary. ***Radios are a training aid and it does help someone not experienced in getting better with landings. This is true, but they still aren't necessary. It sounds like you had a bad experience at DZ number 2. Have you tried to calmly and reasonably convey your concerns to the DZO or manager? A well presented criticism can sometimes start the ball rolling on improvements. No I did not. I just chalked it up to experience and learning, Like you said they are not nesessary but they do help.Quote

Had to leave DZ 1 because of logistics... will continue closer to home. Quote

I'm doing my AFF ( I wont mention DZ's) and on my first AFF -1 training skydive I was basically talked down to the landing zone, great experience. Since then I continued my training at another DZ and my Cat A and B jumps the radio wasn't working. I did all the steps necessary to land safely before the jump with good planning. Unfortunately, with the radio not working I landed way short of the DZ and flared much to early ending up with a good butt drag and ankle digs.. The second jump I was told to hang South but later I was told I should of hung North. (No wind Condition) I landed ok that time but on a very slight turn out of my cross wind turn and tweaked an ankle some. These are both highly noted DZ's. Not having working radio's for newbies in my book isn't acceptable. I basically failed and have to redo much after jumping twice at the second DZ. Radios are a training aid and it does help someone not experienced in getting better with landings. I'm just venting out here but opinions are welcomed. I will not return to the second DZ. Also after doing wind tunnel for 10 minutes shouldn't an instructor at least look at the video as it is an added cost to help the student as well as required. Bad goggles and a hard to read altimeter don't help the matter either. I should of stayed at DZ number one.