snakes

Hi, 3 weeks ago I went to my home DZ to continue my progression/SL , I had done my first 2 jumps in "freefall" the weekend before. Got my rig, jumpsuit, helmet, .... and prepared to go up. We went up to 4000 ft, I was first out, there was another hop n' popper behind me. Got on the step , look at JM , ready ... go ! Jumped off, went in arch, pulled ( I had/have this fear to wait with pulling so that it wasn't really a 3 secs delay) . Pilot chute came out while I watched the plane fly away (wich is usually a good thing , because your head has to be up or in the neck to see that). Pilot chute had pulled the bag out, and lines were out and streched. But then nothing happened, except for me keeping falling and watching the plane flying further away. I gave the pilot chute another chance for a second of 5 before I looked at my handles, grab them (first the right one, then the left one) and pulled them(again left ==> right) ...... Reserve came out smooth and there I was, on jump 13 under a nice blue reserve. After I checked the canopy and had my toggles in my hands, I had to scream off a huge adrenaline-boost with a loud woooooooow! Beside that feeling , I was glad I had done my reserve-procedures well and smooth. Only minus was that I had totally forgotten to watch/remember where (above which point of the DZ) I was under my reserve. But I knew for myself that that wasn't the most important thing. They had alsoo said that I could have waited a second or 2 longer before going for reserve, or that I could have try to pull at the lines, but I was thought to cutaway and pull reserve at a highspeed malfunction without doubting . I had searched for my main canopy for a second but I knew that if it was almost completely in its bag, it wouldn't be visible from under my reserve because it would have fallen so fast and it's so small... Later that day there was another reserve-ride(!) (with personal rig) and when they were looking for the main they found mine is this condition : [URL]http://users.pandora.be/mark.blockhuys/blokki//pictures/24-08-03/DSC00065.JPG[/URL] I made another jump that they to give the possible fear/consideration no chance. But I was to much focussed on having a good main , so that it wasn't the best jump I've had. But again I had a safe landing... **Edit: changed the link ....

Don't see how your 2 pieces of advice can be combined into one situation. Don't see how I could stuff a contact back with my goggles on ....

When I was just getting started with my SL I had the same issues... The landings were good, but the pattern how to fly to/above the DZ was not completely clear for me. I have one advice 4 you: ask a instructor at your DZ, because I think this isn't easy to explain without a little drawing and without he possibility of direct feedback BTW. I just had a mega deja-vu by typing this reply in this situation ...

Hi I've post here some general questions before about tandems. I'm 20 years old and live in Belgium. Did my first jump (tandem) a few months ago, I loved, so short after that I started my static line course. First few jumps went well, so on jump 5 started with dummy's. Misted the first 2 ( reached to far in the hurry). Had a 2 nd 1/2 months break (school, youth movement (don't know for sure if that's a right term in English)). This weekend I returned to my DZ (zwartberg, Belgium) on saterday I pulled 2 dummy's, so on sunday it could be my last static line jump... On sunday, I arrived at the DZ and the plane was waiting for me ;-) .... Got my material and a briefing and we went up. Again I had a succesfull dummy, so I was ready for my first hop n pop. I got a new rig (from static- to "freefal"-rig), and went up the next load. It were other nerves than usually (pretty normal i guess

MMM nice collection. Movies say so much more than words. I'm going to start with my S/L-program within 2 weeks. I kinda feel bad now that can't afford the AFF-program. Actually I could but than I wouldn't have any money left to jump after my AFF...

Hi, This weekend, i have had my first tandem-jump. I'm so excited about the whole skydive-thing that I'm intrested in taking a course (Static line or AFF). But there can be a "small" problem: my ear(s). Six years ago I had surgery (new eardrum on the left). Until a day after the freefall and landing I have had a uncomfortable feeling ( I can't call it pain) in my left ear. I can describe that feeling like there was something "blocking" my ear , a small wad of cotton wool or something . I also cleared my nose under "canopy"(?) by blowing while I pinched my nose (the instructor told me that that could help). Now my question: Do you know any skydivers that have had the same surgery but still can jump. Or do you have any experience with the use of those presure-controlling-ear-plugs... PS. I 'm also going to see my doctor who preformed the surgery for advice but I would like to hear also some expierences from some skydivers ... PPS. Sorry for the not perfect english , I'm from Belgium... Greetz