freakydiver

One of my early mentors taught me a game to learn this skill. Numerous times during the climb to alti - look out the window and attempt to guess yer alti. I learned to visually guesstimate alti very well by continuously doing this over my ten year jumping carrer... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Mine are I do believe... But what I meant was, for newer jumpers to use their eyes as "freefall" altimeters. You don't really have to pay attention to low altitude all that much unless you are swooping. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

LOL That's what I've been thinking this whole time... I haven't had an alti in quite awhile so it will be weird anyhow I tell all new skydivers - use your EYES as your primary alti, I think its the best skill I ever learned - its saved my ass many a time... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

lmao - im going to mess around with opening and closing doors to see what happens... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

This is the key: "As soon as Neptune senses a takeoff, it will lock in the last MSL reading which ensures that the AGL (above ground level) indication is accurate." Bottom line is use your eyes above all other methods for reading alti - I always have and always will...

Look at the ground and find something there to base your heading off of. You dont have to look straight down - look ahead of yourself at something on the ground... Edit - what skymama sed! -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I've seen it vary 20-40 feet in the matter of seconds. More than once. Maybe this is normal - you wouldn't "see" that type of change on an analog altimeter - the needle would barely move... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Ok - reading the manual - it says: "The 'MSL' value is actually "QNE" or "Pressure Alti" which means that the value will change with barometric pressure. It is normal for the MSL reading to vary as much as +-300 feet." Makes sense - just like you said Ian. My question I guess to the makers of this alti - what does freefall alti and canopy alti work from then if this +-300 foot QNE MSL alti can vary as much as it can......... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I'm just wondering though - I've watched the MSL sit here and vary up to 40 feet in a few seconds. What is to prevent that from happening in the air?? Or after it zeros on the ground per se??? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I got my new Neptune - question though. Its just sitting on my desk at home and from time to time I look at the Alti listed for MSL and MAN does it vary. This scares me. It varies quite a bit from day to day. Am I supossed to trust this alti when in freefall or canopy mode???? Has anyone else noticed this??? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Yah and the abundance of software available for the platform is STAGGERING -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Although look how good skydivers are multitasking -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

What was weird was it was some Matrix company that called me on behalf of AIG - I'm thinking of contacting AIG directly....... I am quite the ass as you can see by my posts - maybe they read some of them -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I pack and jump as though I don't have a reserve as well. It keeps me paying attention... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Indeed AD - and I thank you deeply. I haven't jumped since having my daugther for this reason only and NEEEEEEED some life insurance because I miss the dz and freefall in a huge way... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Hmmm - I'll check and thank you very much val! I saw your snowboarding post and hope all went well... I usually suggest to beginning snowboarders that they at least bring a bottle of ibuprofen with the first few times (if not stronger drugs )... I too have had a reserve (edit forget ride) ride - it had absolutely nothing to do with my pack job. My right arm popped out of socket come pull time - no choice but to go silver as it was a useless noodle at that point... heh -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

OK deep breath taken. Renee - I'm sorry for jumpin down your throat - you do bring up a good point. I still believe in my own mind that I do the things I need to do so that I won't have to whip it out is all I am saying. I never said - "DONT whip it out if you need it" or "DONT whip it out unless you tried all that you can and you are way below your harddeck"... If the student hasn't been taught to use their reserve and if they don't use it there isn't much I can do about that as I am no instructor nor did I ever claim to be. All I want to know about is people's experience with life insurance providers. ps - did you all notice the i put after my reserve statment - it was rather tounge in cheek... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Got one quote back at 65 a month for a 250k 20 year term... Calling to confirm. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Exactly - again - point of this thread - life insurance providers. If I have to use my reserve I will. I don't want to die and miss my daughter growing up or miss jumping with her. But I do have a wife and child to think about. eener - you should consider starting a thread in S&T forum if you'd like to discuss people that have my attitude where they think the chance of reserve usage is low. Just because I don't think I won't need it doesn't mean I won't use it. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

ahh right soo its ok to post shit like that with your experince on the forums where some youngin might read it....and say yea me too....not having a clue.... I posted it to bring out a point. Honestly - I'm not worried about S&T - I'm worried about getting affordable life insurnce - which is the point of my post. I mean no offense - and I agree with you, but that is their fault not mine. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I do alot alone - alot of my friends found less time for me when my daughter was born... Kids freak some people out I guess. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Yah I saw that - that looks like a great resource. I have calls in to three of the providers and will let you all know how it goes... THanks!!! -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Edited because I replied as a jerk. Let me put it this way - I've been in the sport for 11 years now. If I needed help with Safety and Training, we'd be in that forum. I know how and when to get my reserve out if the need ever arises. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

To add to that - out of all of the countries I've visited - US citizens are generally the biggest asses I've encountered. Of course that is a balloon statement, but its just what I've encountered... The three times I've been to canada were nothing but amazing experinces with granted, different types of people, but nevertheless, very kind and genrenous... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

3 words anger mgmt class -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --