MJH

I don't feel too bad. I got the parachute in the bag, with no physical help, four times on Saturday. Except for the first one (which was a nightmare), my pack jobs ranged from 25 to 45 minutes. As for the openings, well, there was, literally, a marked difference between my pack jobs and the pack jobs done by a rigger. I have the bruises from an off-heading opening to show for it. But I seemed to get a little more proficient with each pack job. I'll get there eventually.

Thanks to all for the advice. The questions ended up being moot, because the staff and experienced skydivers at my DZ constantly looked over my shoulder, and helped me pack, without me having to ask for assistance. In fact, in six jumps this weekend, I didn't complete one pack job entirely on my own. But my level of competence increased with each pack. I think I'll get there soon. I take a couple of points from this experience. First the people at my DZ, Great Lakes Skydivers, are fantastic. Everybody, from the DZ operators to the riggers, to the experienced jumpers, went above and beyond to help me. I can't begin to repay them for what they've taught me in such a short time -- except by helping newbies when I become experienced. I'll do that, of course, but by then most of these folks will be retired. Second, I'd like the name and address of whoever developed Zero P material. I have a few words for this person. They're compound words, and they're very special, so I'll save them for the wonderful person who developed this material that refuses to go into the *&%^$*&^! deployment bag. If anybody knows the name of the person at Performance Designs who made Zero P even more slippery, I'd like that person's address as well. I also have some compound words for that person.

I jumped twice today, performing a backloop and several barrel rolls. The Dolphin performed well and was comfortable both times. I can't imagine that I'd have gotten a significantly better deal by spending more money. A more expensive harness may provide features that would matter to an experienced skydiver, but the Dolphin does everything I need it to do. If not buying more than I can use makes me cheap, so be it.

Tomorrow I'll jump my first rig; until now, I've jumped student or rental gear packed by my DZ's riggers. After that first jump, I'll have to pack my main myself. I've walked through a pack job a couple of times with the riggers at my DZ, watched experienced skydivers pack, and watched Pack Like a Pro with Billy Weber a few times, so I have the basic idea of how to pack. My questions, for anybody who may have advice, are these. Does this seem like a firm enough foundation? How much of a background did you have when you packed on your own for the first time? I ask because I want to avoid making a pest of myself by asking for more help than I really need, but I'd also like to avoid the embarrassment of a malfunctioning canopy.

Ah, I see. Then check out this link. http://parachuteshop.com/dolphin.htm (Sorry, I haven't figured out how to insert a hypelink.) This was the best deal I could find on a Dolphin by itself: $790.

Check out the Dolphin package at Rigs 'n Things. http://marketplace.amazia.com/para-service/prodinfo.asp?cn=250984&affid=&sku=AF3801&page=9&pagenumber=1&inverrmsg= If you upgrade to a Sabre 2, it will cost about $2800, which is not a bad deal for a new rig. Mine arrived yesterday. I have not jumped it yet, but I can say that I'm very satisfied with customer service and speed of delivery. Roy Torgierson (sp?) at Rigs 'n Things was a pleasure to deal with.

Molly Hatchet: Flirtin' with Disaster Catherine Wheel: Crank

[I disagree with your logic. ] Well, okay, but remember that, given my ignorance, my conclusions are all tentative and my logic is subject to change. From what I gather from this thread and researching other strings, the case for AADs goes something like this. 1. The upside of the AAD is that is can save your life if, for whatever reason, you don't deploy a canopy. 2. The downside is that it can kill you if it misfires, causing a main/reserve entanglement. 3. Given the inevitable risks of skydiving and human frailties, there will always be a marginal risk that you won't deploy a canopy. 4. Modern technology is such that AADs, or at least Cypres AADs, never, or almost never, misfire. 5. Therefore, the advantage of having an AAD vastly outweighs the disadvantage of having one. That seems a strong argument. Does anybody see any possible holes in that logic or its premises? Note that I left economic cost out of the equation. It's not that price doesn't matter (it does), it's just that I already understand that variable.

I'm a novice who is 5'10", 180 lbs. and is looking at gear. My tentative plan is to buy a Sabre 2 main canopy at 190 sq. ft. and A Doplhin D-3 (large) container/harness. I lean toward the Sabre2 because, from what I've gathered, it's a tame, reliable canopy. The Doplhin appeals to me because it looks uncomplicated (I've yet to pack a canopy) and reliable. I figure that when I'm ready for a smaller main in 500 or 600 jumps, I'll still be able to use the Dolphin. I don't intend to buy an AAD b/c my DZ doesn't require them and I fear the AAD accidentally deploying my reserve more than I fear my inability to deploy my reserve. All that said, I respect my ignorance and would appreciate advice about some or all of these decisions. Thanks!