dresherr

Thank you all for your input. Since then I have had 10 jumps with throw-out and all have been successful. That one mistake scared me but taught me a lesson I, hopefully, will never forget. I think from now on I will always jump a throw out.

This last Sunday I jumped on a throw out for my fourth time I think. I Pulled at about 4,800 and nothing happened. I was still in freefall. I hesitated for awhile ( Aweful thing to do ) then cutaway and pulled my reserve. After the adrenaline wore off I thought for a sec..... Hey I was jumping a throw out and never threw it out!!!! "That small chute did look different after I pulled," I thought. Stupid Stupid Stupid me. When I landed and everyone at CMS asked me what happened I felt so stupid. I was in total denial that I had done something wrong till I thought about it on the way home. Thanks CMS for not rubbing it in. Darren- It wasn't your pack job, bud. Just dumb ole me. Much props to everyone at Central Michigan for being there and making sure I was alright. Just a quick question too... Has anyone else ever done this? - Richy

Your feelings are exactly like mine were my first 10 jumps or so. I was probably scared all the way to my first solo exit with no jump master. After that I couldn't wait to dive out and try not to tumble the first few seconds. My first couple jumps I was so scared when the door opened and I would always scoot farthest away from the door. I did the tandem progression at Central Michigan Skydiving and thumbs up to those guys. They're the best! Once you get a few more in you'll do good. I'm still nervous when I go but you can only get better with practice. Good luck to yah -Richy

I just turned 18 and jumped. I had to wait 4 years, and now that I have finally jumped I wished I would have learned to pack chutes like everyone told me. I am very quickly becoming broke and need to leave the nest. One way to get where i NEED to go is slow down on the skydiving if that's what it takes but who wants to do that? -Richy

Have any of you guys ever drove a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The power is constant unlike todays cars. Imagine having the torque of first all the way to the top end. Hydrogen cars would only have one gear too by the way. It's just the way they're set up. All of it is pretty neat. They even have Hyd. fuel cell battery thing-a-ma-jigs in hearing aids. That's how small they can be.

Remember Vietnam?

I haven't lived in Colorado for about six years but go to Aspen or Vail. I heard Aspen can't be beat!

That's definitely true! The war on Iraq does have a little to do with oil. But don't you think that the U.N. will step in if Nuclear Weapons come into the picture and biological weapons also!? I agree that this is not just the United States' problem but everyones. Richy D.

I also agree with both of you but I think the Government is trying to win over Iraq because of the threat they pose to the world. Richy D.

Isn't it astonishing that more people would rather do a line than pop a pill if they felt bad??

Just my thoughts but I think since China has Communistic views they might gather all their population and turn them into soldiers whether they like it or not. It would almost be a repeat of WWII. With the only exception that Hitler tried to take over the WHOLE WORLD rather than just defend a fellow friend like China would be doing. But if this did happen and we attacked N. Korea I think China would become very pissed off and may go on a Hitler rampage. They might see it as an opening and/or an advantage to attack all non-communist countries. Safe Flying, Richy D.

The only real reason I wanted to go into the Army was because I heard all this great stuff about the Golden Knights. If I could get into the parachuting business any other way sooner and get more out of it I would. The Army is just a back-up plan. Thanks for all the info guys. I will seriously take it into consideration! Fly Safe

I would stick with the Cypres. Why spend all your money on something to make your life easier. What if you HAVE a short life BECAUSE you invested in the packer not the Cypres. What a waste of money huh. And a waste of a good life. Safe flying to you all.

I am not a cop or anything just a wonderer.

This is similar to the last post, but I just want to know out of all you people out there that currently use drugs, even legal, which of these do you commonly use? (skydivers and non-skydivers alike) Remember be smart and be safe at all times. Hopefully the polls are low but this is just out of curiosity! I mean no harm when asking.

I talked it out with a recruiter and he said the best way to get into skydiving in the military is to first sign up for parachute rigging and go from there. I just wanted to know if he was right and if it would be helpful later on down the road.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to know everyones opinion on how good the Army's Parachute Riggers Program is. I will probably go into that profesion and I just want to know what it is like. Thanks, Richy D.

Hi, I'm Richy D. a newcomer from SoCal. I have not jumped yet but look forward to it. I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to some of the people I may have offended on this site. Like I said: I am a newbie so for that I apologize for saying some stuff that may not fall in the right place. I hope everyone out there flies safe and does not become a statistic.

Sorry about the last comment but what I meant was that we should all do stuff safe but why let statistics overcome you like a fear and get in the way of your goal ahead? Much love and SAFE flying. Note: Please stay safe and don't become one of the stats. Just don't let obstacles get in the way of your goals. But if the obstacles are life threatening then have second thoughts on how you handle them.

The craziest jump I had was when I was on an airplane ready to jump. Fully ready to go; all strapped up and everything. An experienced skydiver came up to me and asked me if I knew what I was doing. I said yes but in reality I had no clue and was scared "poop-less" The count came and went and I jumped flawless! The thrill of freeflight came over me and then I WOKE UP! In "real reality" I have never jumped but look forward to. I just wanted to share one of my dreams. Much love and safe flying to you all even if your dives are at night while you're sleeping!

If there is any possibility that I could learn out of state I would go on a plane asap. Please help! Thanks and fly safe.

Thanks again but all the info on the fatality rates... Well to put it this way... How many of us drive a vehicle? I know I do. I just started out and it's not all that bad. But why do we do it when hundreds of thousands of people die in vehicle accidents each year? I know I would rather die doing something extreme like skydiving than just driving my car to school or something. The fatality rates on skydiving are indeed true but look at the stats on other stuff. There are some funky death rates on some activities out there in the world and if you ask me... skydiving isn't all that bad compared to some jobs. I hope all skydivers don't worry about the death rates so much before they make the leap. Do we all think about dying before driving a car? I hope not. Thanks to all and much love. P.S. Hopefully it does not sound like I am coming at you hard PhreeZone. If it does I apologize. I just wanted to share my opinion on the stats. Safe flying!

Did all this stuff really happen? I heard the record was only around 350!!!! W/B Before I get light headed from thinking about it.

That's pretty good! I have never even took a leap yet and I would never do anything that "smart"!! If it all works out good let me know how it went so we can all try it!

Thanks guys! But one more question: How do I start packing parachutes and such? I live pretty far away from a DZ but I would make the drive! How do I learn to do all the stuff at a DZ so it could help me in the future? Thanks once again for all your help guys!