PROGRESSIVE

I'm paralyzed below my knees. I wore paraboots and landed on my feet for my first jump after a 14 year layoff. If that doesn't work, wear AFO's.

Belly band was my favorite...

I'm buying new gear. Gotta get it right the first time. $$$

A ripcord seems so nerdy...But, landing on my butt isn't stylish either... Thanks!

I've been posting this all over the place and I'm getting all the information that I need to make the financial plunge...again. After a 14 year layoff from skydiving, due to a hang gliding accident that left me with paralysis below my knees, I made my first jump since my accident last weekend. I weigh 235 pounds and jumped a PD 280 main in a Vector harness and container. I will be landing on my feet and butt. What's everyone's opinion on Make, Model and Size of canopy that I should get? What is the Make, Model of harness and container that people recommend? What is the best deployment design, throw-out? Pull out? Ripcord? I have been having difficulties with BOC throw-out, due to not being able to reach it. I have 888 jumps.

I'm getting back into the sport, after a 14 yr layoff due to a hang gliding accident. What is now the preferred deployment method and why?

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Get your shoulder fixed prior to skydiving. Your life depends upon it. I had the same problem with my shoulder. It dislocated once in freefall, and I struggled in getting to my pilot chute. Too many things can go wrong. You need to be in good physical shape to skydive. Its an extreme sport. That's the bottom line.

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After all these years, my ripcord finally has been found! Did you find my main too?

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He also did commercials for the local Bloomington car dealer in Minnesota. Lived right down the street from my Junior High sweet heart, Karen Mortensen, aka Mort.

Ok, for the sake of saving my own life, Jim Marshall, is not stupid. He just had a couple of "off days" when he ran to the wrong endzone and shot himself with his own gun. But for my own safety, I'll remain in Utah, and stay away from the DZ's. Sorry Jim! FaceBook me! Love, Pete

Would it be fair to characterize YOUR entire life by one stupid moment you've done? Of course it's fair, but only if is posted on dropzone.com!

Good point! In my brief Google search, he also picked up a fumbled ball and ran to the wrong end zone...Doooh! No matter how hard you try, you just can't fix stupid!

Good thing he never deployed his reserve into a malfunctioned main! (Not that I know of anyway). Pete

I use to live down the road from him in the late 70's, in Bloomington Minnesota. His kids went to Olsen Jr high. I skydived at Stanton Minnesota and Baldwin, Osceola, Alexandria, and one or two times at Superior. I never heard of Jim Marshall jumping. Google it! Pete I just Googled it. 1965 there was an article saying he had 50 or so jumps and participated in demos, but due to playing football for the Vikings, he decided to put it on the side line. Get it? Side line...God I crack myself up!

John Kildahl wore a Jerry Bird, front mounted, hand deployed reserve. He jumped a Dactyl and an old 5 cell, I think. After I moved from Minnesota, I lost track of many people. I now live in Utah and enjoy sit skiing/mono-skiing, due to my paralysis from a hang gliding accident. We had good times while sitting around the bond fire burning rail road ties and telling lies. I really enjoyed the jumps into Lake Calhoun every summer for the aquatennial. Keep in touch! Pete the Pup!

History only becomes interesting to "young pup" after they become "old-dogs." Pete the dog, aka, pup!

Formation flying caused additional dislocations in my left arm. I had to resort to steering and flaring my canopy with one hand. Have a plan B for backup in the event you dislocate your shoulder in freefall, especially in an emergency. Pete

Back then men were men and women stayed at home! Love those down wind landings with the legs extended outward. Ouch!

Too much fun!

I don't think the overall cost of nuclear energy is the answer for a "cheap" alternative fuel. Placing the emergency generators to cool the reactors in the event of a power shutdown below sea level was not the brightest idea coming out of Japan. With the majority of their food coming from the sea, I believe there is more trouble ahead, unfortunately. Time will tell. It always does.

If I had money, I would not have any problems knowing what I would spend it on...

Sew the inside seams of the legs together and go base jumping! You'll save yourself a lot of money!