Tonto

After replacing 3 sets of batteries at +- 50 jumps, I thought I'd find out how long they really last. My origional Dytter lasted 5 years or 1000 dives. My low battery warning went off on Jan 9 2003, on jump number 56 since new. I just did my 285th jump since new yesterday, on the same set of batteries. That's 229 on a "flat" battery. I do not turn it off after the weekend's jumping. I do wear a visual alti. I am interested in seeing how long it lasts though. Its a bit of a joke in the Porter now when everyone on every load wails, jokingly "Your batteries are flat!" I don't think its a case of it using batteries too fast, merely a paranoid low battery warning. t It's the year of the Pig.

Thanks! PM'd you. Blue Skies, t It's the year of the Pig.

I've done it plenty. I'm lazy too. Don't do it. Go to the DZ early - unpack and repack. I'll take my advice the next time. Promise. t It's the year of the Pig.

Anyone got any idea where I can get these? I'd like to check my line trim. Thanks, t It's the year of the Pig.

I know Dennis Rodman DIDN'T. t It's the year of the Pig.

At 8 years old - without their check being done - you can't give them away here. t It's the year of the Pig.

I thought it was 24000 ft. That's what it was in John Krakauers "Into thin air" Incidently - we all have a limited amount of time before we die - even if we're at home tucked up in bed - and on oxygen. Its called a lifetime. t It's the year of the Pig.

USA - lots of places - very cool. UK - crappy. France - compete for the crappiest Italy - Nice. Switzerland - Picky. Even for someone with over 1000 dives. Paperwork from hell, and E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E Australia - World Meet 1994 at Kooralbyn - and then the post equinox boogie at Tegoolewah. (Ramblers) Turks and Caicos Islands (British West Indies) Beautiful - between huricanes. Namibia - Desolate - and beautiful. Mozambique - Pretty. Dives were out to sea for a movie shoot. Swaziland - Cold - and military. and I'm from South Africa. Nice. t It's the year of the Pig.

41 now 22 when I started. t It's the year of the Pig.

I stand corrected! t It's the year of the Pig.

OK! As an African - I'd be off to the DZ - but you know what tourists are like! Picture in the twin otter, picture in the Porter... Enjoy! t It's the year of the Pig.

What? No Skydiving? t It's the year of the Pig.

"I visualize myself growing old with a woman whom I will care for for the rest of my days. " Me too, but she'd better hurry. I'm growing old. I never lost anything finacially. I lost being with my daughter, reading to her etc. I gained another daughter - a gift - since I'm not the biological dad, but my relationship with her is precious. It's been years and years since I got divorced. This thread is about whether or not we're afraid of marraige - and if so, why? These are my views - but I have no doubt that I have a future with someone. I'm just afraid of making the same mistake twice. t It's the year of the Pig.

"Just because you don't like the idea doesn't mean it's a bad idea, and it doesn't mean anyone should discourage someone else." Activate Sense of humor mode.... Well, it does, really. I don't like the idea of 1st jumpers committing to a life in the sport and so getting 97sq ft Stilleto's on their 1st jump. That's dangerous. If I'd done that - and been femured - I'd want to warn others of the risks involved. Deactivate Sense of humor mode... We all think we can beat the odds. That's what makes us human. We all think we're special, and that we'll try - and never give up. We all watched the "and they lived happily ever after" endings. My parents have been married 49 years - and are madly in love. I'm quite sure that if one were to die - the other would wither and be gone within a month. It can work. But. A lot is beyond your control, and a lifetime can throw a lot of variables at you. People have different value structures - and some people can justify things to themselves that they cannot justify to you. Being in love makes it harder - not easier. We don't look for the pitfalls. We believe we can slay dragons and conquer worlds. But sometimes you just find out that you can't. And that's OK. Sometimes pulling the plug is the right thing to do. t It's the year of the Pig.

Well whether you agree to them or not - you are still held to common law. In SA, a couple who has co-habited for a period of 6 months is deemed to be married in common law. If you want a definition of co-habit, its 2 or more consecutive nights a week - to nail those weekend types at the DZ. For me - the fear is about the kids. Having them - losing them - paying for them - and having to see that woman every second weekend for the rest of my life. As a friend of mine once said... if you feel like getting married, just go out and buy a house for someone you hate. t It's the year of the Pig.

I guess you're refering to the B90 series and not the 200 series here? It was quite common for divers to lose a shoe (in pre bootie days) on exit. There's no chance on your AFF L1. Enjoy your AFF! t It's the year of the Pig.

Start a new thread for that... But 22:41 t It's the year of the Pig.

Luna - What's going on? You say you're out. Then you're back in. Then you delete all your posts. Then - when we can't read them - you say you stand by them. Most of us can not plainly see that the quotes were taken out of context - because you deleted them all. No one is trying to build a case against you. Rhino agrees with all you say and defended you admirably. You believe what you believe, and I'll stick to what I believe. t It's the year of the Pig.

"Marriage is what the two people make it man :-) " No, not really. Marraige is what one person makes it. It takes only one to break it - but 2 to keep it together. t It's the year of the Pig.

"what does "post-apartheid" have to do with it? " In the 2 years from 1992 to 1994 - During the term of the interim goverment (power-sharing) prior to SA's 1st democratic election, the divorce rate increased by 15%. Initial reasons were thought to be families torn between staying or imigrating to the prefered political climes of Australia, Canada, the UK, etc, but the divorce rate has remained consistantly high at +70% in the first 5 years. A further 50% colapse prior to 15 years. The high crime rate, rapid political and ecconomic change, among other factors increase stress and uncertainty in our daily lives. We're more likely to turn that stress against our partner than to support them through it. So. If 70% of marraiges end in divorce in the 1st 5 years - How many people die - stay married "for the sake of the kids - are not financially independant enough - or emotionally dependant enough to go it alone? What % of happily married people are out there? Men tend to be happy. The women they marry are not. Over 80% of divorces are initiated by women. Deuce and Wendy have said it - in different ways. It's being happy with what you've got - not what you want. Everyone is going to go through good patches, and bad patches. It's commiting to the future - no matter what - every day - that makes the difference between the do'ers and the talkers. t It's the year of the Pig.

"Haven't people climbed Mt. Everest (30,000 ft) without supplemental oxygen??" Well, just under 28 000 really, and taking months to aclimatise vs the 30 min ride up. The two are not comparable. I've only climbed to 20 000ft, but if we're put on a hold at 16000 ASL at the DZ, everyone's hypoxic in 2 min, myself included. No time to aclimatise... t It's the year of the Pig.

"Maybe I need to see a schrink.. " Well there we have it. We agree on something. t It's the year of the Pig.

In Post apartheid South Africa, 70% of marraiges end in divorce in the 1st 5 years. Mine was one of these. These are "perfect" stats, as every marraige is recorded, and can only be undone in the High court - also recorded. Now in 18 years of skydiving, I bust an ankle (jump 10) and femured myself (jump 159) The other 3903 dives have been pretty uneventful. If someone said 70% of skydives resulted in death or injury in the 1st 5 years... I'd probably not have done my 1st jump course... Wendy said it. It's an every day thing, and I think it's more about being the right person than finding the right person. As for getting married again, I'm scared shitless. Can't fail if you don't try, right? But what if you meet that person you really feel you could try with, dispite your fear? t It's the year of the Pig.

"any advice?" Sure! So. How much freefall time do you have now? Less than 4 min? That's about enough time to learn to boil an egg. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Closing pin necklace? No Officer. This is the symbol for the handmaiden of the water goddess. t It's the year of the Pig.