thetreehugger

Both are viable ways to learn. They just get you there in slightly different ways, at somewhat different costs. I do have to say, however, that I've never seen a S/L student doing a H&P at 5500, standing in the door. scared and saying "it's so low." Right??? I did the progressive course (IAD, working my way up to the 10000 ft jumps). I graduated around the same time as a couple AFF students. (i did more jumps, more often). When they had to do their H&P for their last jumped they were SO scared. I understand there are different learning styles, but I'm glad I chose the IAD/progressive method. It gave me more jumps to work on my landings and canopy skills and I am more comfortable at lower altitudes. We all got the same license in the end, but I am glad I got more experience with canopy and landings by having more jumps before getting my license.

I havent dislocated my shoulder so no advice from me really. Just wanted to say take it slow and easy and do your physio or whatever else you need to do. You want to make sure you are going to be safe and able to carry out the tasks required for the skydives. (eg: pulling your pilot, canopy control, etc.) I'd hate to see things get worse for you because you rushed it. Good luck.

I feel really sad about the whole US political gong show. It's so unsettling to know that people actually support what Trump is saying and doing. I thought Bush was bad, but he now looks so tame compared to what is going on now. I can't believe what he gets away with. His Tweets alone are enough to make me sick. It honestly sounds like a disgruntled teenager trying to show how tough he is by name calling and lashing out. It boggles the mind how he is in power and this is all continuing.

This happened to me. I got stuck on my back tonight and was arching like hell but could NOT flip over... and it kinda freaked me out. I was nearly at my pull altitude and was going to have to pull but somehow managed to flip over (I dont even know how.. maybe rotated my torso more?) by my activation altitude. (BARELY) Really freaked me out that my hard arch wasn't working. I heard you guys mention a half barrel roll? Would this be accomplished in the same manner as a regular barrel roll? (eg: one arm across chest) and it would still work even on your back?

I make Super Oreos, using the cream scraped from about 7 cookies onto one cookie half and then topped with another. The result is an septuple stuffed cookie that is both horrifying and delicious.

It's not spent doing nothing. I have awesome dreams.

Thanks everyone. :) I like the idea of Gatorade and water. I also had an idea that maybe a giant box of protein bars would be good, too for those days when we don't have time to eat a proper meal between loads but still need SOMETHING.

Cute video. Not sure how it relates to notes, but it is cute. :) I never got lunchbox notes as I always had to pack my own lunches. It's pretty cute though. I think it'd be more special if it weren't done every day. Like a once in awhile surprise would be more special then one received day after day. It is nice you do this for your kids.

I did my first jump course a little over a month ago, so I know this feeling all too well! Deep breathing on the plane really helps. I close my eyes and breathe. Also, I find chewing gum helps too. Chewing gum actually helps reduce anxiety. Plus, if you stick to the same flavour, it gets your mind ready to go. (Juicy Fruit gum, to me = TIME TO FLY. ) https://greatist.com/happiness/does-chewing-gum-reduce-anxiety But really, you will find what works best for you. It is natural to be nervous. But after you land after the first jump you will be so elated and ready to go back up. Have fun! Let us know how it goes!

I searched the forum because I wanted to know this. I'm really new to the sport and am faced with the "Beer Rules" which I'm a bit uncomfortable with. I don't drink, not because I have anything against it, but the DZ is 30kms from my house and i will NOT even have one drink and then drive home. So I shouldn't say I don't drink but I don't ever drink at the DZ after a day of skydiving. Of course I want to hang out and take part in the camaraderie but I don't ever drink any beer offered. I have bought 2 cases of beer for a couple of occasions but I'm a bit uncomfortable with it. So I was thinking about bringing in something else (soda, or cookies, or something else...?)but didn't know if it would be weird or offensive. I still feel like the new kid on the block and have trouble fitting in anyway... so it's like I feel pressured to buy beer that I don't know much about and don't even drink myself. Would it be weird to bring in something other than beer? Will it be looked down on?

When you are a student you are much more reliant on people such as packers to ensure your safety. You don't even know some.of the basics yet let alone what or how packing works, therefore it is important that people who are hired to pack make sure they are careful. It's not about being an assholes and being demanding, especially when you are just learning the ropes..it's about having an expectation that chutes are packed properly and neatly to lesson the chance of issues.

All of Yeasayer's videos, but I especially like "I am Chemistry." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XzqCUbiPc4

I havent ever jumped in Vancouver so maybe I'm not the best to answer, HOWEVER, my home DZ is Victoria and it is amazing. The people are so wonderful and the views can't be beat. I am so lucky I can learn in such a beautiful place.

What kind of exits are you doing? I've started doing dives and intentional unstable exits and I find i am a lot LESS fearful than my prior exits that were all hanging. I think it was my fear of messing up my exits (as I had 2 where I slipped and couldn't get a good grip on the strut and it felt awful as I was scared i may hit the wheel or step on release...) that was the root of my fear. Now that I've been doing different exits I find I am not as scared as I was. Maybe it is partly because I have more jumps in, but I think it is more to do with I feel more confident with the exits than having to struggle to get a good hanging exit. (which I've always felt difficult as a lightweight...) ..hey congrats on your license!

I know this is an old thread but I just experienced this so did a forum search and found this thread. All I can say is, that was a really rough, hard, painful opening. One of the brakes wasn't stowed because the elastic loop to hold the toggle in place was torn. (did it tear on opening? or was it so frayed/worn that it wasn't stowed properly in the first place?) My body position was stable during pull so I don't think it was improper position. It caused a really hard pull on my harness, to the point where I now have really bad bruising on my inner thighs and they are chafed and red. The slider also was hung up for awhile and I had a bit of a spin before I could release the other brake and get things sorted out. If this was negligence on the packer's part I'm really annoyed. The elastic looked really worn and frayed so how did they not see? I'm not blaming because maybe it happened on opening (how? but maybe...) But yeah. It really hurt. Made for a painful canopy ride down, too as my thighs were burning.

http://www.tonysuits.com/products/jumpsuits/other/tandem-master/ or https://www.rockskymarket.com/jumpsuits/702-tandem-suit.html Maybe something like that?

Wow! You are an inspiration!

36! Just back in April. (my 1st tandem) Never too late to start. :)

This is a great chart and information. Thanks! :)

omg i love this...

Thanks! So what would a 2 way RW endorsement mean? Ability to fly with one other person?

I am really new to the sport. Working towards my solo, and then my A. At looking at the Solo checklist on the CSPA website, it says that as a solo jumper you can: "Participate in solo skydives Participate in 1:1 RW training with a Coach 2 for the 2-way RW endorsement. Participate at Provincial and National Competitions (in qualified disciplines)" --- This is probably a dumb question, but what is "RW training?" I have searched the forums and seen it referenced, but still cannot deduce what it means or stands for...

Just my 2 cents. Look into having at least 2 rigs that are a bit smaller for lightweights. I am a smaller female and during high winds the 270 canopies are too billowy -- the instructors don't like me on them. We have a 220 and 240 which are still nice and safe for students, but better for lightweights. Even during regular winds, they still let me jump the 220 because it is easier for me to flare and control. It works great for me and the other students who are smaller. :)

I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd add in my 2 cents. My home DZ is Victoria. The views are absolutely SPECTACULAR. And the dropzone is a lovely farm field right around Brentwood Bay/Butchart Gardens area. It is so pretty. You can see a lot of our smaller islands (Gabriola and Salt Spring) during the canopy ride down. I really love it here. Skydivers from all over come here to jump because it is so pretty. :)

This is all good stuff. Thank you. I guess it's just hard for me to hear about scary situations when I'm about to do a new thing for a jump and am already quite nervous. But yeah. I'll try to put it in perspective and learn when I can and know when to walk away.