livnbored

When I learned to pack tandem reserves (RWS) I was taught to roll the nose... And, it does say to do so. I think it's more a matter of what dude said up above...comfort... little extra effort to make sure the reserve doesn't blow up at terminal...

I wear an nvertigo x, and my camera helmet is a hawkeye. I like the way the nvertigo fits my head, and what can I say but that the hawkeye just feels solid when its on.

yes. often what works for one person when they pack does not work for another. There are so many combinations and variations to every step of a pack job. Roll the tail the way you feel comfortable packing... and, there is a thread somewhere in here where everyone discusses their sabres...everyone has a sabre trick because they are not exactly well-known for their consistancy on opening. cheers

I love my sabre. Pocket sliders are amazing... I learned, first stop track, than dump, after the first couple of hard openings and ya know, that really works... (You can laugh now, it's ok)

As a packer, I don't believe in charging extra for bigger parachutes or for hooking up a mat, I do, however, feel that I can choose who I pack for and who I don't. Charging extra for silly little things that take up more time is something a lot of people in skydiving are keen on doing, but I pose this... do people who take longer to learn something have to pay more? I don't believe people are paying for my time, they are paying for my ability to pack their parachute fast and amazingly well. They are paying, often, to get on the next load. I would never charge a student more to learn to pack if their parachute was bigger, 'nor do I think any Dropzone would charge a student more because it took five extra minutes to go over a dive. I think people often lose sight of what packing is, and I'm not talking just about the packers.

I'm slightly confused. I thought I learned differently. What I recall being told is that any time the seal is broken ANYTIME,... the parachute and rig must be reinspected and repacked. Now, being there some "grey areas" in rigging, it is often not seen as a big deal if the rigger who's name is on the data card opens a reserve to, say..shorten a closing loop or install/remove an AAD, and reseals it. I may be mistaken, I should go look this up before posting, but this is just what I recall.

I definitely agree. If your slider can easily slide down your risers, your best bet is to slide it down. If you aren't comfortable with that, (I don't do it) get the stops put on your slinks. Take into consideration, also, the number of people with broken knuckles because their sliders come screamin' down on openings while they're reachin' up for their risers...WHACK. More than one good reason to have stops... or to not grab your risers...

This makes sense... for my first 50 or so skydives I'm not sure I would let my cognitive brain understand I was in an airplane, let alone jumping out of one. (Someone's calling the men in the white coats aren't they?) But, it was my defense mechanism. There was so much to take in and so much to think about every second that I didn't want my "old ideas" kicking in and distracting me. I think I had about 60 or 70 jumps when I could finally let myself be aware that I was jumping out of an airplane... funny though, the reality didn't change, it was just easier to deal with because I could trust my brain to function under those circumstances at that point. It justs gets better. Of course, I was a big scaredy cat...... by the way, I don't mean that i was brain dead everytime I jumped...

I just remember the ping ping ping at a million miles an hour smacking me in the face. Don't leave home with out your bela klava.

AT the risk of pissing off someone, I'm gonna have to say don't buy it. Basically, just because it is student gear. When I bought my first rig, I was ripped off horribly. I didn't know much about gear, or what it was worth. I paid about $1000 too much for what I got, but the person who was trying to get rid of that gear sure was happy. It sounds just peculiar enough that a DZ would sell a woman a used student rig for the same price as a used sport rig. I understand your concern about spending money on rental equipment, but go check online for gear before you go with the quick fix. Telesis, though fine containers, don't exactly have a good resale, in my opinion. As well, you're gonna want to downsize within the next 100 jumps, and that container will be too big.

Don't be sorry Mike. I'm just freakin' a little in my head now thinking shit shit shit... I hope I don't ever do that. Everyone must LIVE!! More things to keep me up at night. (Actually I think about that everytime I close a rig, reserve and main)

I do not believe your parachute would have deployed normally even if the normal rubber band broke. Those two line stows would have jerked the crap out of your bag, twisting it. One thing I'm trying to figure out is if Skybands and superbands are the same thing? I have seen 3 bag locks in the last year, all with skybands, but all exactly because of sloppy packing as well. Personally, I do want rubber bands to break. However, it is your personal choice. I'm pretty sure that the manufacturers of skybands have an add in Parachutist... not sure about superbands, first I ever heard of em, but I've sure seen some thick rubber bands on some aerodyn bags.

Last I remember, but I"ve not checked... sorry... Someone at Eloy does one, Skydive Chicago as stated, Dave Dewolfe in PA (though, heard he may retire soon). Check in the back of Skydiving. They're always listed. cheers.

you funny. I will keep that in mind the next time I have no where left to pack and it's the parking lot or nowhere...heehee

Everything being described sounds more like your linetwist problem is as everyone is stating... a trial and error thing. All canopies have a bit of character, and it takes awhile to learn their little nuances. Your pilot chute does sound very small to be dragging that triathlon 190 out, but I'm gonna have to guess it came with your rig. You appear to be a fairly new jumper, which may also give a little sway to the idea that you are not dumping stable, but that will always be the first thing that anyone will say in response to line twists. About your line stows... I'd listen to what everyone is saying. 14" does sound too small. Which leaves the question of your risers which was earlier stated, sort of. You do want your bag to come clean off your back when you deploy. Meaning no line stows should be releasing until the risers have cleared your shoulders. Any jerking of the bag at this point and it's linetwist city baby. How you place your risers and your bag in the container does matter a lot more than symmetrical line stows and even rubber bands. Mind you, as the bag rocks to release your line stows, you don't want it doing some rock and roll dance, but again, this is just my opinion. Be more aware of how you want everything to leave your back when placing everything in your container. Straight risers, no hang ups.

I have never had a jumper request me to use a packing mat, but I also walk the lines down to the container. If a jumper wanted me to use a mat, I would ask them to hook it up as I would probably be too busy. If this was a problem for them, I would have them find another packer. Of course, if I had the time, I wouldn't care. If I was outside, I'd have my own mat and hook everysingle one up because sunlight is bad... mmmkay.

I just can't believe it. I looked up to him as a skydiver. He was always so involved in the sport. Blue skies, James.

Blind and drunk packing, hmmm, I thought most people who packed drunk were blind... Of course, I would never do something like that...

http://www.skypole.ru/SouthPole/SPEX/HTMLs/sp_accid.html this'll tell you what happened if you really wanna know.

no way!!! Okay, I'll ask Jonny, maybe they found it. Sheri

I hope you're not to sore from getting hit with the gator Kelly. I still see you sliding off and your arm shooting up like you were drowning in the pavement, too bad the driver didn't notice right away. I really enjoyed meeting you all, Kelly, shortbus, Yoshi, Wyatt and everyone else. I had a great time, regardless if it was "a different kind of boogie". Has anyone seen my hat. Sheri

It was fun, If only I hadn't lost my hat!!