Speer

Nice job Cayce! As was pointed out in an earlier reply, you now know you can handle yourself when something goes wrong. You didn't freeze, you followed your training, you got rid of the mess, and replaced it with a landable canopy. Again, great job! Now you also understand, that as reliable as the systems are today, malfunctions do happen. So, pay close attention to your instructors, and take your emergency procedures seriously. Never get too comfortable with jumping out of an airplane, in other words, keep a certain awe of what we do... My son and I were at San Diego on Friday. He recently got his "A", and we were going up to do a two way RW jump. While we were waiting for the call, I asked him about his response in the event of a Pilot Chute in Tow, and gave him some things to consider... you guessed it! He had a pilot chute in tow that very jump (his 32nd). Like you, he did very well also. He spent a little time trying to clear it (looking over his shoulder / jostling the container), but quickly decided that it was time to get a canopy over his head. He was in the saddle with plenty of time to see where the main was landing, and still make it to the landing area. Like you, we were over the DZ when this occurred (first out), so he did not have to consider picking a landing site. You might want to pay attention to the possible landing sites along the lake when you drive by next time, just in case you ever need to chop a little further down the jump run. Skydive San Diego is a beautiful place to jump, and now that it's greening up, the scenery is even better. Look forward to joining you in the air. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Roy, A great question to ask, one that should stimulate critical thinking more than emotional response... Ron and Tom have both offered dispassionate critiques of realistic scenario response, ones that we should all use to drive us toward improving our skill sets. Well said was that "we do what we practice". I certainly feel no justification arguing with any of the highly experienced jumpers on this thread, but instead see their admonitions as urging us to get good at what we do! Because it is very unlikely we will pull off the "upset" in this emergency situation, we would be wise to think prevention, and develop the skills to recognize and respond to less challenging ones. In violation of your request Roy, I'll add that addressing the AAD issue in this thread is appropriate. I understand, and believe the concept that dependence on "technology" can be a very bad thing, please don't take my promotion of AAD use as such. Using one does however make the scenario in question significantly less risky, and prevents putting your jump buddies in their own life threatening situation at your behest. Make a choice, let it be known, and be willing to accept the potential outcome. It is after all what we do by the very act of jumping. I'm an old fart, with a wife, 3 daughters, and a skydiving son. I love them and appreciate that they put up with my decision to jump. I use an AAD at least as much for them as for myself. I would not want my son to jump without one. I believe that I would chase my son till his CYPRES launched his (and my) reserve. That in itself would present no small danger. I suspect that it would be far wiser for me to pull higher and rely on his AAD... just not sure I would have the discipline to do so. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Bill, I perceive that our first jump together will be that one where no canopy is required, and the direction of travel is 180 deg's out... Thanks for your model of decency, while being a leader, explorer, and teacher... ...A great role model... er except for that chuteless jump thing. I'm certainly not going to emulate that prior to the aforementioned jump UP into the heavens. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Clark, I also jump Otay, and almost exclusively during the week. While there are more than a few "up jumpers" during the week, there are just not as many chances to jump with others who are not students. Not sure if we've crossed paths, but if we do, I'd be glad to jump with you... I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, most of my jumps being solo. I've been offered slots in 3 and 4 ways with other NGs at Otay, but have declined due to MY lack of experience, and not wanting to complicate further a dive already replete with inexperience. I have gladly taken up the offer to do 2 ways with other noobs, some of whom had a lot of RW experience for their jump numbers. So hang in there, opportunities will come up. I'll be at Otay this week if at all possible (Tue or Thur most likely). I'm one of the older farts, shouldn't be too hard to spot. Look forward to jumping with you. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

M 51 .208 Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Still $15 to 13.5k at Skydive San Diego... Super Twin Otter & Caravan... fantastic view, stable wind, great people ...life is good! Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Sky Dive San Diego! $15... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Congratulations! You did well. Have fun, fly safe. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Robert, Hey, thanks... it's been a long, long time since someone said my adolescence was showing... oops, i get it now, you mean I'm acting like an adolescent! First time thats happened in the last 30 minutes or so. Thanks for the compliment anyway! I'm not sure you really read the posts... so I'll flesh it out for you. I'm still a student at skydiving... YUP! You got that one nailed! Did I give out technical skydiving advice? NOPE! So what's your point? Wanna check the rest of my posts? Won't find me telling anyone technical info there either... I don't think I'm qualified. You will find a couple where I described what I felt / thought happened when I broke my ankle on a botched landing. I was listening before my injury, you can bet your ass I was listening even harder after. That's why I posted my embarrassing moment for all to see Preach? Give someone hell? You must have lived a sheltered life... I didn't give him "hell" for an opinion, I chided him for "Bad Mouthing" a DZ (that I have not jumped at and apparently neither has he), on a public forum. I attempted to do so in a non abusive way. If I hurt his feelings, that was not my intention. My perception is that he was trying to do a good turn, in his new found skydiving environment, and went a little overboard. What I intended was a little advice from a senior, who has made the same type MISTAKE he did, and I've done it on numerous occasions just to be sure it was wrong... you obviously think this was one of those times. Do you really think he is not going to get hammered by others in life if he spreads negative hearsay??? I think I've put in enough time on this planet to offer advice, on matters I have some experience in, and in fact have a moral obligation to do so... just like you. Feel free to disagree. However, I'm still not much of an authority on anything. Regardless, I still feel it was inappropriate to pass on unqualified negative Hearsay about a new dropzone... no matter how well intentioned. And I'm probably tough enough to survive any war shots you need to send my direction... Sorry I caused you distress. Oh! by the way, I got in one more jump yesterday... does that get me anymore slack for giving out non technical opinions? And with all sincerity, Blue ones back at you. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Was gonna PM, but thought this message has a pretty broad audience... *** i guess i mis-spoke. :) i was told that it isnt a great place to go for instruction, i tried to make it a point on that is what i was told. :D Brown Field is a bad place to go for instruction? Really? Yes, I know... you were told! You see nothing wrong with parroting an accusation that you apparently have no way of verifying? They happen to be a Brand New dropzone... did the person who enlightened you as to the inadvisability of learning at Brown take training there? Knowing a little about Joe Masalta, the owner of Skydive So Cal, I'm pretty comfortable telling you that anyone training there is very likely to receive excellent training... and I jump at the local competition to him! I have jumped at (and onto) Brown Field... there is nothing inherently wrong with the location that makes it a bad place. IMO I'm glad you're learning to jump, and welcome you to the skies! Trust me on this, you'll be a lot less roughed up in life if you are careful to not criticize, without direct knowledge that said criticism is deserved. I've learned that one a number of times just to make sure it was the right way to do it... and I still need an occasional refresher course to cure "foot in mouth disease". In skydiving, everyone is very protective and proud of their own dropzone... not necessarily a bad thing. Occasionally, it is appropriate to call into question the safety / procedures / skill / hazards of a particular DZ. If that becomes necessary... I'd recommend that you leave it to VERY experienced people when making recommendations in a GLOBAL forum such as this. If you have a friend who is interested in jumping, but is not local to your DZ, it is certainly reasonable for you to talk about what you have heard... but that should always be indicated to be "hearsay", and immediately followed with an admonition to check out the prospective DZ with a knowledgeable source... because often, people spouting opinions have no facts to base them on. Please do not Bad Mouth another DZ without a lot of fore thought and direct knowledge... it does not make your own DZ more appealing! Most of the regulars at your own DZ probably will not appreciate it anyways. I can personally vouch for Skydive San Diego (Otay). I entrusted them with the safety of my son for his AFF, and my youngest daughter for a tandem. I Live in Ontario, and the fact that I drive right past Perris, and Elsinore is not because I think they are bad dropzones, quite the contrary. I started at Otay because people I trusted (USN types) recommended it as an excellent location for my son and I to learn. I continue to jump at Otay because I love the people, the location, the wind stability, the view, the experience, ...you get the picture. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I believe there is an AN-2 at Cable Airport, in Upland California. I've seen it in the air at least once... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

The responsibility for meeting / greeting new jumpers at the DZ falls on whoever is the most outgoing... local jumper OR visitor. Thats just human nature. Not everyone is the same (thank goodness), some of us are by nature or developed habit, not very outgoing. The strengths of each individual should come into play, hopefully offsetting weakness in others, with the goal being a better DZ. Since the overall vibe of ANY gathering of people tends to emmulate the leader, a successful leader will ensure that conditions condusive to growth and well being are in place... If you want your DZ to prosper, it would only make sense to make visitors happy_to_be_there. If you want better aircraft/gear/ammenities options, make sure traffic is generating enough cash flow for the DZ (Students/Tandems/Visitors) to provide them. What talents do you have that can contribute to your DZs success? Finally, as I've said before, there's a Tyrannisaurus Rex in every garden... yeah, yours too. My dropzone isn't perfect, but I love it. I'd like to contribute to it's growth. I'd like it to be there for a very, very long time. It's unrealistic to expect the very meager profit margins on DZ ops to provide modern facilities without decent amounts of traffic. If your DZ doesn't measure up and you're not helping... guess what, you're likely part of the problem. It Ain't Rocket Science... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Regarding the CYPRES requirement: I spoke with Andy Whitcomb yesterday. A CYPRES is No Longer required for jumpers with more than 1000 jumps. I believe that was mentioned in last months PARACHUTIST, but I couldn't find my copy... sorry for the delay in answering. In other developments, the new restroom / shower facilities are being installed now. They are also in the process of installing a Bunkhouse, as well as Team Rooms. Even more covered packing area is also to be added soon. The rental gear selection has grown significantly as well! As I understand it, the City of SD was very "unfriendly" to the operation after a miscreant (who resented the DZs presence at Nichols Field) complained. The city apparently made a 180, and are now co-operative in the DZ improvements! Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Lisa, Qualifications first... I'm a beginner in this "sport", but this topic is about ATTITUDE and DISCERNMENT, not very dependent on skydiving experience. I was born... just not yesterday. I've had moments of intense pain, longer periods of significant pain, and the plain old nuisance pain that one accumulates having survived as long as I have in spite of the best efforts to obtain the opposite... I'm no pro at being medicated for effect, but I'm not a cherry either. I've heard supposed excuses for being in an altered state of consciousness for everything from driving, to combat, and lots of supposedly innocuous other activities... it's all lunacy. I've even floated some of that BS myself from time to time... I've also had to witness the result of such intentional idiocy when Mr. Murphy took advantage of the opening accorded him. If you wish to increase the risk for skydiving, please do it in a manner that does so only for you! That would entail at the minimum informing everyone you're jumping with about your reduced capacity (and don't bother telling me you can handle it). I suppose I'd be mostly preaching to deaf ears if I praised "Delayed Gratification" when it comes to your health and well being. One pill, two pills? Please be responsible when making a judgement of this kind. There are some of us who are barely safe enough to be in the air sober... at what grey area of medication do you cross over the line? Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I jump at Otay, and I've jumped at Brown while the runway was being paved at Otay. I enjoyed the change in scenery. I will likely visit Skydive Southern California as well. I met Joe briefly, and he seemed to be a real nice guy, I wish him well in his endeavor. Gee, I've never been bumped for students, and I don't resent their presence at the DZ... or on the plane ('course I'm really just a student myself). In fact, I have never heard of anyone getting "bumped" from a load to make room for a student! Sometimes the loads are full...and you have to wait for the next one, but it's always been first come, first serve as far as I have seen. I believe that I read a note from Buzz that the CYPRES rule has been waived for anyone with over 1000 jumps... next time I see him I'll try to remember to ask and repost... ...Hopefully, the two DZ's can exist without acrimony and resentment. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

If you get your current employer to send you for freefall training, you'll find out where it is first hand... Those are the mountains surrounding Otay Mountain, southeast of San Diego, at Skydive San Diego. It really is a beautiful location, and has incredibly stable wind conditions. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Guess that's why DoD still insists on PRK. I'm glad I had PRK, but I've never heard anybody complain about LASIK. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

LASIK and PRK shape the front of the eye in the same fashion. It is the preliminary step that is different. PRK removes the covering skin with the laser before reshaping the eye, then the covering skin must grow back. It takes a couple days for that to occurr and is not as comfortable as LASIK. Once it grows back, it is thought to be less susceptible to damage than LASIK. With LASIK, a knife or laser is used to cut a flap on the front of the eye which is folded back. The same laser shaping procedure as that used for PRK is then performed on the eye. Once complete, the flap is folded back into place on the front of the eye. The concern is that the flap can be dislodged for many months after the procedure, so care must be taken to avoid injury. An extreme view held by some is that the flap never completely heals... Some people, who do not have sufficient thickness on the front of the lens to allow for cutting the flap and reshaping, have to use PRK. I had the PRK and loved it. I've never talked to anyone who had LASIK that didn't also love their procedure. Good luck with whatever you decide, and good jumping. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Welcome! I know quite a few posters here have had LASIK and are very happy with it, but I had PRK several years ago to correct some Myopia, and alot of Astigmatism that was caused by a significant head trauma (I know some people are saying "that explains alot"). I had very good results, but have lost some ground and am considering having a touch-up done. You may want to investigate the choices... The DoD will not authorize any procedure other than PRK for any jump qualified position in the military due to concerns about the integrity of the "Flap" part of the LASIK procedure. They have concerns that the flap may become dislodged if protective eyewear is lost during egress or descent, and there is medical evidence that the flap can be dislodged for quite awhile after the procedure. I understand that the surgeon can "pry" loose the original flap incision if you need a touch up later if results were a little conservative in the first procedure. Knowledge is a good thing... Good Luck, Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Read this... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=853609;search_string=Ski%20helmets;#853609 Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

If I remember correctly, the wearing of reserves began immediately after a fatal mishap during the earliest testing by NAVY personnel... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Jumping is awesome...jumping with your children adds another bond that is difficult to match. I took my son for AFF on his 18th B-day, my youngest daughter (who is terrified of heights) did a tandem after watching us jump a couple times. She was 20 at the time. I must say that it was indeed a thrill to share the exuberance following their first jumps! My two older daughters think we're all mad, and I had to sleep with one eye open after my daughter jumped... had spent years prepping the wife for my sons jumping, but never expected or planned on my daughters decision to try it. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I know this thread is kinda old, and the gift recipient has probably already jumped, but... I'm the father who traveled from the LA area (actually Ontario) with my son to do AFF that FunBobby mentioned. I chose San Diego after input from NAVY types, who jump, that I've spent some time with... They recommended Otay (Skydive San Diego) because of the stable winds in addition to the excellent staffs that can be found at all three DZs. Since I was going to take our youngest child (for his 18th B-Day) to jump out of an airplane, my wife didn't really argue when I explained the importance of stable winds for inexperienced canopy pilots on landing. I continue to jump Otay because I have built a bond with the staff and love the DZ. I have heard nothing but good things about both Perris and Elsinore and I will jump other DZ's but have been putting it off till I have my own kit. As any reader of these forums will see, most jumpers are fiercely loyal, so getting input usually leads to favorable promotion of their own DZ... and thats not all bad, they are continuing to jump there so must feel it's safe. I was fortunate to get input from East Coast guys who didn't have an axe to grind. Every DZ has it's own flavor, strengths, and it's own Tyrannosaurus Rex in the garden... in most cases, wherever you jump you'll find people who are passionate about their sport, and their DZ. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

"NOS" New Off Shelf... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Stacy, You might look into PRK as the procedure for vision correction instead of LASIK. PRK reshapes the surface with a laser exactly the same as LASIK, but without the "flap" procedure used in LASIK. I am told that LASIK has less discomfort, but the question of healing / stability of the flap presents some concern for skydiving activities. For those reasons, the DoD will not allow any aircrew or jump qualified personnel (ie paratroop & spec ops) to have LASIK. PRK is the only procedure allowed at this time. I had the PRK procedure to correct significant astigmatism (trauma induced), and some near sightedness several years ago. I have had some of the astigmatism return, and will have it corrected again only by PRK after discussing potential hazards of dislodging the "flap" with vision correction experts. I have no misgiving recommending vision correction, but be sure to get input from a doctor who provides access to BOTH procedures (LASIK and PRK) so you don't get shoved into the only procedure your doctor performs... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?