argon

I had an L3-S1 instrumented fusion in 1999 and had trained hard through rehab and decided to jump again. In April 2004, I made a tandem just to get back into the air-gusty winds and highly loaded the tandemaster had control of the canopy and proceeded to pound us into the peas-with his 220 lbs landing on top of me. Results:1 broken rib,bad compression fracture L1,and 2 breaks in my talibone. The fusion survived unscathed. L1 and L2 disc is now herniated.Chronic pain and almost complete inability to engage in ANY physical activity is a result.Just bad luck.An injured spine will NEVER heal,once the natural mechanics are changed-especially by a fusion and even a lamenectomy can really make you miserable.Unfortunately, I'm done jumping-risk of paralysis is too great. Just be careful and listen to the advice of activity aware physicians.Blue Skys *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Depends on your health,in fact everthing in life depends on your health. I had a bad spine injury (not skydiving) and it took about 6 years to get back in shape,then in april I got an early start with a tandem jump only to break L1,my tailbone and a rib on a hard landing. I was about 2-4 mm from paralysis according to my doctor. Still want to jump but right now I still can't run at all and have chronic pain. Time will tell I guess. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

But as a group,the fact is few do it "as a living" and have other sources of income with some having company benefits,those that are self employed may have individual or standard policies. I don't know ,but there certaintly is a percentage that don't need the benefits that would apply. Although the auto racing based SCCA have a policy that cover drivers and track workers that receive injuries during an event. It is possible-but in the case of the SCCA alot of the cost is absorbed by the cost of the drivers actual racing license,which is SUBSTANTIALLY more expensive than the current USPA membership. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I had a substantial spine injury in 1998. Just the anesthesia bill was over 10 grand. I just recently found out the surgery ,hospital,rehab was over 75 thousand. Now my prescriptons cost over 500 a month-cost to me 20 dollars. That injury was job related and not skydiving. In April a hard tandem landing as a passenger broke my back (L1 and tailbone) plus a rib. Insurance (BC/BS) paid for everything. Unless you live in a tent at the dz and don't own or ever plan to own anything you can't afford NOT to have insurance. PERIOD. Just having a kidney stone treated will cost over 5 grand at some hospitals. And YES-when they find out you don't have insurance of any kind you will NOT receive the care you need. Nobody likes to work for free. Blue Skies and Merry Christmas to all. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

It would depend on the airplane. I have owned 2 Pitts aircraft. My S1C- no way, I could hardly get in without a parachute-consider the g-loading that is probably involved if you break the airframe and have to get out. In an S2A or S2B where you can jettison the canopy-it would depend on your size. Me, at 6'00" and 210 lbs-no way,I'd be stuck if I had a sport rig on. In a monoplane like the extra 300 your kind of lying back in the seat-as opposed to bolt upright in the Pitts.In that case It would be very uncomfortable. For the post that think most pilots don't ever think about bailing out-I would agree-many I know rarely get the rigs repacked on time.I can't see how you could use a sport rig-even with two very small canopies Plus-you have to consider possibly using the rig at very high airspeeds-well over 200 knots. PS. If you do manage to get out of a crippled plane chances are you are going to be VERY close to the ground. Pull silver. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Please-Please take my advice. I am very disabled subsequent to a spinal injury. Make DAMN SURE YOU ARE X RAYED AND SEEN BY AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON-before ANYONE manipulates you. I had two substantial lower back L4-S1 injuries-second of which resulted in a spinal fusion(7 hour surgery). After the first inury I was convinced a chiropractor was the way to go. To make a long story short-all the forceful adjustments destroyed my facet joints and it was all down hill from there. First-do not rush your recovery,get good advice and let yourself heal fully and remember it doesn't take long to lose muscle tone and strength. Go easy,do it right or you WILL end up fucked up and miserable or worse. Good Luck. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

But what's left to put in the twin otter? Believe what you want- I think its junk science,then again when it matters I'll be long gone. I'm selfish and proud. We don't pay enough for energy in this country.Period.Make gas 5 dollars a gallon like it is in the UK. Promote nuclear.Hybrids-go ahead buy one-then wait till the warranty is gone and you have to replace batteries,relays etc... Polar bears, I say feed them the scraps and build them real comfy nesting boxes next to the drilling rigs that should be there to get the oil .Get over it. Everybody want to pay 89 dollars each way to beat the cold in the winter to go jump in warmer climates.Do you really think an airline is making money-how about those 200 or so thousand pounds of Jet A making those engines turn.All the tree huggers,all the hollywood elite,give me a break. The problem might not even be caused by humans in the first place. I couldn't care less. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

This thread will never stop. There are dumb cops and dumb people. I'm permantly disabled as a reason of being a cop. The average citizen doesn't realize that police work is paramilitary and you do as you are told. Memos aren't issued-General Orders are. For those that talk the shit about-no you can't search my car-wanna bet? My attitude was I did as amuch as I had to and if you don't fuck with me I won't fuck with you. But, if people hate the cops so much-why do so many call 911 when the shit hits the fan? No-there are always bad apples and there are always assholes,be they skydivers,deadheads,lawyers-cops from outside the juridiction whatever. This is america and it is not a police state,but it isn't anarchy either. My advice is if you are directly going to challenge a cop-especially when they are called as a direct result of a citizen complaint-you had better have your facts straight. There are thousands out there in blue ,male and female and I agree alot of them have no business in the job but the majority are out there FOR you and not against you. I can't change your mind, and personally I don't really care. But just remember-as the street vernacular states: don't hate the player-hate the game. And until Terry vs. Ohio gets overturned-which it never will, and any cop can articulate a potential danger to his or her safety you can make a warrantless search of a person and the pasenger area in a MV within direct reach of the passengers or driver. There is a famous Ziggy cartoon,where Ziggy is walking down the street and a police car drives by. On the car is written: "We are the Police and You are NOT...... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Good. Show up on Fidels little island, everything will be fine. Take Barbara Streisand and Alec Baldwin with you too. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

That's OK with me,the JACKASS I'm concerned about lost the election.

I must say Kerry was a true gentleman and gave a very good speech. Edwards on the other hand seemed a bit pissed (LOL). His speech was inflammatory-sore loser. You might have thought he lost a trial and he was getting ready for an appeal. With lawyers like him around we should be glad we are still able to skydive. All he is ,IMHO, is a glorified high end ambulance chaser. Plus he lacked that phony ass smile today. As you may guess, I am SO glad that duo lost. PS: I heard Kerry got a phone call telling him that Mr. Ed wanted his face back. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Nice. You must be one of those compassionate conservatives I've heard about. Never said I was a compassionate conservative. I'm a pragmatist. He did his best to be an obstructionist. I have conservative values and by the results of the election-I'm not the only one. Daschle blocked court appointments-now I hope we get rid of judges that try to legislate from the bench. PS: Special thanks to Michael Moore-he woke up alot of republicans with his nonsense and retoric. Tom Daschle was shocked when I asked him if he was proud of the obstructions he created and wished him a defeat in November. Fuck Him and good bye. PS: what are you guys going to do with the "Selected -Not Elected" bumper stickers?As far a Bush bashing,it never bothered me,you have a right to your opinion. I won't make an excuse for saying what I feel. People died for that freedom. Funny though,I have a question for a liberal? Why do most liberals find capital punishment wrong under all circumstances,but feel the destruction of unborn children is OK? *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Galco-their stuff rules. My carry guns: Glock 27,Browning Hi-power. I'm a factory trained Smith and Wesson armorer but after they sided with the Clinton administration about 6 years ago I won't by another one. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I sat next to that piece of shit during the West Point graduation this year and told him to his face that I thought he was a disgrace and hoped he lost. I also asked him why he wasn't invited on stage.(Rumsfeld was the keynote speaker). The enforcement detail gave me a hard time but when they realized I was retired law enforcement(disabled as a result of) and said as long as we are in america I'll say what I wish-because after all-he works for all of us. Fuck him. He even extended his hand and I refused to shake it. My neice who graduated is now in flight school and I'm glad Kerry won't be the commander in chief. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

LOL - whats going to happen to the "selected and not elected" bumper stickers. Fuck Michael Moore, Fuck Bruce Springsteen,Barbara Streisand,Whoppe Goldberg etc. I don't even know how to spell their names. Rock the vote-yeah right 17% of those eligible 18-21 voted. I guess they couldn't stop playing X-Box games to do their civic duty. I met Tom Daschal at this years West Point graduation and told him I hope he loses- and he did. Fuck him to. Dixie Chicks,REM,--Alec Baldwin---stick to your day jobs. Hollywood-well.... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Glock 27, I'm retired law enforcement. FBI certified firearms instructor.Now with HR218 passed by Pres. Bush I have carry rights nationwide. NJ makes you jump through hoops.and will not give citizens CCP-NJ sucks. Only the shit bags can carry with impunity. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I had an L4-S1 instrumented spinal fusion in 1998. In april of this year after a 20 year lay off I made a tandem jump at the ranch. High gusting winds caused a very hard landing resulting in the tandem master landing on top of me resulting ina substantial compression fracture of L1,broken rib and fractured tailbone. At this date, the L1 fracture is still very painful although completely healed. I'm uncertain at this point if I will jump again. I would certaintly NOT do another tandem jump if I decide to pursue training at a later date.The area of the fusion was completely unaffected. I have 12 bolts and 20 inches of titanium rod as well as bone grafts from my hip that resulted in a very good fusion. The problem is the basic spinal mechanics have been altered permanently and although the fused are is unlikely to suffer further damage,you have to ask yourself if you can afford to risk further injury. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

"Feelin' a skydive huh? How about a hypothetical situation. Lets say you go and have a great time,jump your ass off. Then the lawyer, who may or may not be your typical ambulance chaser-files a peronal injury case against the other driver and his insurance company. Then when it goes to court and you've told the jury about the pain and suffering you have undergone and just when you can smell cash, a savy private investigator gets a video of you at the drop zone. Your case is dismissed, then you get charged with insurance fraud. If you're lucky you get put on Maury's show. Dude,get a grip on yourself OK. See a real doctor if you are hurt and if you are hurt don't jump. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I've been going through what you described for over 24 years. 5 static lines-quit, years pass 5 static lines quit,years pass AFF-1,quit many years pass one tandem-bad landing broken back(L1),tailbone and rib-still recovering-I can't stop trying. For many years long before the internet,I didn't understand the fear and anxiety, its strange -for so many its so easy and for some its absolutely out of the question to continue. Its not for everybody,if everybody that did a first jump course,actually continued training,it would be one crowded sport! Its a personal battle,it makes you contemplate your own mortality, there is NO bullshit about this sport-perform or die. Blue skies ,black death whoever coined the term said it all.Performance anxiety,fear of death-its all normal-really.Think about it-you are jumping out of a fucking airplane with 20 or so pounds of fabric and rope-everything has to work to one degree or another or you WILL die. If that doesn't instill some fear-you are seriously deluded. I wish I had the I don't care fatalistic attitude-but I don't. I do know the sky is a magic place and I envy those that have developed the skills to play in the sky.I've taste freefall and it is magic. Will I ever succeed? I hope so. If you did it once you can do it again. Driving to the DZ is the hardest part.Best of luck. You are NOT alone. That is the paradox that is skydiving.If it was easy everybody would do it. Best wishes-when the sky calls,it really tough to ignore her. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Tort reform is badly needed in this country. Without getting into a "political stance" which does not belong in this forum-the bottom line is if you sign the waiver that should be that. You can't pick and choose which applies to the waiver and what doesn't. Skydiving involves the use of gear-either owned rented or borrowed,it involves an aircraft of some kind. Nobody is forcing you to do it. Regardless if an accident occurs on the runway or in the landing area-it is all part of the jump and this is what the waiver covers. If you knowingly have no medical insurance or don't have the assets to pay the bills that is your problem. The only people that benefit 100% is the trial attorneys. The fact is not all accidents are preventable-you can do everthing right and still get hurt or killed-if you can't accept it stay home. I have been recovering for 5 months from a bad tandem landing on April 24th. I wa along for the ride. Broken tailbone,rib and compression fracture of L1. I've had a lot of different emotions about the incident-bottom line I signed the waiver,I knew a risk of injury was present and decided to go anyway. Today too many people don't accept responsibility for their own actions and the fact that it doesn't cost a dime to file a personal injury lawsuit is just the tip of the iceberg. Liberals,please feel free to flame away. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

billvon, I can't agree anymore-you said it all. I decided after a half ass attempt 20 years ago to learn to skydive-unsuccessfully I might add for a number of reasons beyond my control-I decided to try again. I managed a dozen or so jumps under round parachutes with chest reserves not to kill myself-so what the fuck-how about a tandem at the ranch in April-what could possibly go wrong with an "expert" at the contols. Great jump loved it -landing sucked. Broken tailbone,broken rib and a substantial compression fracture of L1. So much for this summer. I think the sport has gained too much of a "safe" notoriety over the years. Bottom line-it is dangerous-period,not for everybody. If you can't accept it don't jump. If you get hurt and survive-don't sue and try again. Blue skies and black death-pessimistic--maybe-but certainly true. Trying to justify the sport to a whuffo is a waste of time and a piss poor discussion at best. It IS a leap of faith.Nothing more and nothing less. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

You can do everything right in LIFE-you ARE going to die. 1 in 5 people will experience cancer. Its all about risk accessment. Most accidents are the end of a chain of events and most are preventable. Lately more people seem to be dying under perfectly good canopies-even so with an average of 30 or so deaths a year is amazing compared to the number of jumps made. Skydiving is not the safest pastime. But then again think of all the people you pass with a closing speed of well over 100 mph within 2 feet of you in your car getting to the dz. If YOU can accept the risk in your mind-jump. Life is transient. The sport makes aware of your own mortality in an extreme way. And then again what is worst - dying a slow death ,suffering,with the moment in your mind for years,months-days. Blue Skies-Black Death. It is the same for ALL of us sooner or later. Might as well jump and smile your ass off. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

FYI, the 3rd class medical has a urine test which only purpose is to check for abnormal amounts of chemicals(its just a quick dip stick) for the prupose of determining if the applicant has diabetes. Nothing more,nothing less. But be aware if you admit to have taken or have taken any anti-depressant drugs including the SSRI class such as Prozac,Zoloft,Paxil,Welutrin etc. you WILL ABSOLUTELY BE DENIED. The vision test is not critical UNLESS they use the cards with the colored dots. If you are at all color blind to any degree you will not be certified for night flight. the regs say you must recognize aviation colors : red,white,green. Drug test are not part of the exam----unfortunately there are plenty of other ways to get denied. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Save the 30 bucks and drive up to the Ranch-they don't scam you. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Insurance would be cost prohibitive for all but the most affluent DZ's if it was even available. Even though operated under FAR Part 91 the aircraft is still operated "for hire", same would apply if it was used for flight instruction and absolutely requires 100 hour inspections. Maybe Diverdriver or someone with better knowledge of the Fars would know why skydiving aircraft and flight crew are exempt from Part 135 requirements? And what about aircraft over 12500 lbs. gross weight? You raise an interesting question-- about insurance buut personally I'm concerned about jump pilot qualifications as well as 100 hour inspections and strict apllication of TBO on especially single engine aircraft. Also I strongly agree with headoverheels-I would much rather have insurance premiums spent on appropriate and timely maintenance-remember the majority of the aviation fleet is over 25 years old and would also want the jump pilot to have more than just minimum hours in type. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL