thetreehugger

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Posts posted by thetreehugger

  1. OldGregg

    This is a neat little graph I put together playing with the Altiforce a long time ago (it also has a G sensor) anyway, it isn't perfect, but lets you see that deceleration during deployment isn't linear.

    Assuming the device is perfect (it probably isn't), the collection method is not. Helmet mounted (so head movement) and I aggregated the G force in all 3 axises (since precise head position is unknown). The results though were very consistent in the shape of the deceleration curve from jump to jump.

    Parts of the curve were matched with the video. First tiny bump is PC inflation/bag extraction, second bump is line stretch, big bump is inflation, artifacts after are canopy surge/turn.

    EDIT: Second chart is aggregate G force experienced, or "total deceleration" expressed as a % (it took several more seconds to return to 1 G after canopy inflation which it why it doesn't reach 100% in 5 seconds). Again, not perfect by any means, but the thing to consider is that in the 1st whole second about 15%, 2rd whole second 35%, and 3rd whole second, 65%. So deceleration doubles almost every second, you get almost as much in the 3rd whole second as you did in the 1st 2nd second combined. i.e. you're retaining speed longer that a linear deceleration and most of the actual slowing down occurs during inflation, not the snivel.

    Also, yes I threw this together really fast in excel, it isn't perfect, and the data collection isn't perfect. Just ball parking due to nerd curiosity.



    This is the kind of thing that makes nerd girls like me happy. :)

  3. Such a wonderful thing you have done and it sucks that iFly did not support your venture. I don't understand why though. Didn't they get their money regardless? Why do they care if you are the one raising the funds?

    I'm so saddened by you having to turn people away. It must break your heart. Just know you did a lot of good and I'm sure with a heart as big as yours you are finding other ways to help.

    <3

  4. I just watched a video of a guy who offered a suggested "fix" of hard openings on sabre 1s by stuffing the 4 outer cells on each side of the canopy into the centre cell. It looks like it could create all kinds of trouble...? Is this some kind of "trick" that actually works? I'm never going to do this...just curious if anyone actually does this.

    This is the video: https://youtu.be/-KpUJK_YtL8

    :S

  5. keithbar

    They make these things called tents and sleeping bags. If you take them to the dz with you you don't have to worry about a dui on the way home 😉



    Yeah, but some people jump at very small dropzones where there is no place to camp.

  6. PhreeZone

    What would you do if you happen to overhear an instructor giving bad advice or even giving advice/instruction that is dangerous?

    I'll toss out some situations since I know advice can mean lots of different things to lots of people.

    1) Advising a student (pre-A licence) to go ahead and pull high (4500-5000) and exit as the last RW jumper with out telling any other group about the high pull.

    2) Advising a sub-100 jump person to buy a high performance canopy that they will load greater then 1.3.

    3) Advising a student that as soon as they get their A licence to quit jumping with an RSL since they are "death traps"

    4) Advising some one on a downsizing having only watched 1-2 of their student landings.

    5) Advising a student to "Wait until the group reaches 45 degrees then go"

    What would you do in situations like these where you think the advise might be wrong, incorrect, or dangerous?



    I have experienced 2, 4, and 5... luckily I had enough wits about me to know this wasn't the best advice, but what if I heard it and hadn't done any research on my own/talked to others/etc? I know there is a lot of self responsibility the instant you decide to take the first jump course, but there is a lot of trust students put in their instructors. It was kind of scary to see how many of my fellow student jumpers didn't even know what the PIMs were. [:/] If they relied solely on advice from others they could potentially get in trouble. Don't get me wrong. My DZ I learned at is amazing and full of wonderful people with everyone's best interest in mind... but it only takes one instructor/coach one day spouting one not very wise thing...

  7. Thanks for the replies.

    I think I will just need to be a bit more of an advocate for myself. Its just so frustrating when I really feel like my progress is stalled. Yes, I still love the jumps I do by myself, but like I said, it is hard to know if I'm doing things correctly (tracking, levels, etc) when I don't have a good point of reference.

    I am considering also, perhaps, going to a DZ that is a few hours away that may be easier to get coach jumps in. That would have to wait until closer to summer though.

    Hopefully going for some jumps this weekend. Even if I just get one coach jump this weekend i'll be happy. I just want some feedback/tips/help.

  8. wmw999

    Ive been on the DZ, and had a close relative be the survivor in a wrap many years ago. It took awhile. But I did find that if I started re-processing things, if i actively focused on something else — not moving away from the thought, but moving to another thought that was important, it helped.
    At the dz, go talk to manifest a bit; if you’re packing, take the absolute worst-tangled rig that means you have to focus hard. Teach a student how to pack. At home, always have a good book, or go vacuum or something. Personally I hate vacuuming, but you get what i mean. Something that either is noisy enough to occupy you, or that takes enough focus that you have to.
    Good luck. With time it does get better. You can’t tell day to day, but after awhile, you realize that it’s better than it was six months before.

    Wendy P.



    I'm just quoting this because it is really good advice.

    OP, I hope you can find what helps you.

  10. So... a little background. I'm a fairly new skydiver. I worked hard to get my Solo license (one that comes before the A license here in Canada... you can skydive by yourself/without a JM but still need to work on some things to get the A)

    Anyway. Ever since getting my Solo I've felt a bit lost. I don't really know what to work on or how to go about it. Sure, I've checked out the requirements for my A and I know I need to do some coach jumps. But other than that I've felt like a lot the people who helped me get my solo aren't available or really that interested in helping me get my A.

    It is quite a bit more difficult to arrange a coach jump rather than a JM like I had when I was still on student status. (probably because a JM just has to watch me go out the door and then can do their own dive with their buddies after, whereas a coach has to jump with me and "waste" a skydive on teaching)

    The past 5-10 jumps I've pretty much just did my own thing. Trying to work on some canopy stuff but have no feedback or know if I'm doing what I'm supposed to. I had a couple jumps with a semi-mentor that is really the only person I feel helps me at my DZ. He isn't a coach 2 though (which is what I require for my A) and isn't available too often as he usually is packing or doing radio for students.

    I really want to get my A but feel like since I've gotten off of student status I've just been left to my own devices. Like I can jump myself so I'm just supposed to figure it out...? It's been pretty disheartening. I don't know what I'm supposed to work on (other than following the CSPA guidelines for the requirements, but without much help or feedback it is hard to know if I'm doing it right and don't have anyone to sign off the work if they don't/can't jump with me)

    Just feeling a bit lost... wonder if any others have felt like this.

  11. riggerrob

    I have never allowed a student to video his own jump because:
    I feared he would bash me in the face with his camera.
    I feared that he would take $&@?! ..... er ..... poor quality video.
    I feared that he would be distracted by the camera.
    I feared that he would drop the camera ...... and injure someone on the ground.



    Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this video. I wonder who or why on earth anyone would ever let a student tandem wear their own camera.

  14. I know this is an old thread, but I was searching for 2 canopy out scenarios as we were discussing it at the DZ today.

    Anyway, I was wondering, if you have a relatively stable bi-plane I have been told you aren't supposed to monkey with it too much. My question is though should you be concerned about flying level and finding an open/safe area to land with as little toggle input as necessary? Or are you okay to do some minor turns (non-aggressive, no spirals, etc.) to ensure you land at your field?

    I guess I'm just wondering if doing turns would be detrimental to the stability of the bi-plane...?

  16. JohnMitchell

    *** I'm female and i've heard that women have a hard time landing.. is this true?

    When you land a modern square parachute, you need to pull down on both steering toggles to flare the parachute for a soft landing. Although not too difficult, I've seen people (almost always women) who seemed to lack the upper body strength to do it quickly and efficiently. A bit of weight training helps dramatically.


    THIS.

    When you start out you will be on fairly large student canopies. My DZ uses 230s-270s. I started on the 270s and yeah, with an exit weight of 140 and a wingload of 0.5 I had a hell of a time flaring those beasts. I landed fine (except for one no winder and I didn't flare in time... but that wasn't about flare power) and safely even when I couldn't fully flare. Yes, there were buttslides and face plants, but on canopies that large, even without a full flare you will still land safely. Maybe not pretty/on your feet, but you'll be in one piece. And if in doubt, PLF.

    With that said, shortly after I realized how frustrating it was to flare those damn giant canopies, I bought some resistance bands and used those to practice flaring at home and develop my arm strength at the same time. (the resistance bands with the handles work great at simulating a canopy flare) It didn't take long to build up the strength needed to fully flare. I was/am still floaty on those big canopies, but at least I can flare completely and land on my feet. (mostly... :P)

    Good luck!

  18. I'm on Vancouver island. It took me 15 jumps to get my solo because I had to repeat a few jumps to get all the requirements in. (freefall time, etc.) http://www.cspa.ca/en/learn-skydive/get-certified/solo-certificate

    I'm still relatively new myself but what REALLY helped me was reading the PIMs. You'll need it for your emergency procedures review, plus there is SO much valuable information you will use as you progress. I've done jumps where my coaches want me to try something new and I'm like, "I read about it in the PIM!" so it gives you the technical knowledge to be able to work with your coaches to apply it to your jumps.

    It really surprised me how many of my fellow newbie jumpers were going for their SOLO checkouts and hadn't even read, or even heard of, the PIMs. I don't know about you, but if i'm going terminal velocity towards the ground with a parachute on my back I'd like to know how EVERYTHING works. ;) Plus, it gives you info on how to develop your skills in freefall and under canopy.

    http://www.cspa.ca/en/PIMs

    PIM 1 and 2A are the ones I started with. Yes, they are big, but seriously. Take the time to read it through. You'll be glad you did later.

    Cheers! Have fun!

  23. Why are people assuming i'm a male poster? :S

    Anyway. There isnt a chance a 175 would be overloaded with me. At my exit weight, it'd still only be loaded at .7 (like i said, i'm slim and 5'8, which is why i nearly blow away on the damn 240/270s at my DZ!)

    This is all good info.

    The canopy is owned by someone at my DZ who got it in a container they bought. We have riggers that could check it out.

    I'll weigh options carefully. Thanks everyone. Will most likely pass.

  24. Yeah. I'll probably pass on it.

    Just facing a conundrum. The rental/student gear leaves me with bruises on my thighs because it does NOT fit me at all. (Slim build, but 5'9) And any wind and i get nervous i wont make the DZ, even with a great spot because i fly almost backwards with the giant canopies.

    Eager to get my own well fitting gear, but dont want to spend a ton on something i may want to switcb out later. Not in a rush to downsize at all, but may want a different canopy or container if i'm not keen on what i first get.

  25. On the hunt for my first canopy, I found one that may work for me. It is a Falcon 175. Thing is, it is 25 yrs old. It's been well cared for, spent most of it's life packed/not used. It probably has *maybe* 200 jumps on it?

    Does age matter, even if it wasn't used all that much? Like does fabric degrade even if it's been well cared for, simply because of time?