apixel

In our circle, she's known as the MASTER TRACKER ... so I would tread carefully. Disclaimer: "our circle" may or may not be comprised of more than two people. no you just didn't......

I hate bumping this up with no new information, but I just wanted to thank all of those who answered. Thank you.

Is there such a beast? I'm thinking of getting a full face since I'm doing more 4-way lately and would like to have some "kick" protection. My worry is that I always run hot and sweat a lot, which seems to be a recipe for fogging. I've read that many use anti-fog liquid, but it would be great if it wasn't necessary. Could I get the same protection benefits from an open full face, and keep on using goggles? Thanks, Andres

Graphic Design, Animation. With all the graphic designers running around, it would have been nice to put that one as a choice. -A

Personally, I think it's crazy to skydive without insurance. Specially in the US. As far as I know, exclusions are not allowed in MA, NJ and NY. These are the three states where I have lived and even called them to ask. The response, "You can get hurt tripping out the door, driving your car off a bridge or skydiving. We are required to cover you." It's scary to know that is not the case everywhere. I was aware that Life Insurance was harder to get as a skydiver, but not health insurance. I'd better pick my next state wisely.

Hey! I'm Honduran, so watch it! Seriously, that is what "we" third world countries are great for. Cheap BUT GOOD quality craftsmanship. The funniest thing that has happened to me while growing up there was when I would take a trip to Miami to buy clothes, just to realize half of what I bought was made in Honduras. Too bad I wasn't into skydiving while I lived there, (till I was 17), or else I would have visited the factory. -Andres

Does everybody agree with the above? The way I was taught by our packer was to not double stow the first two, but to double the last two ... they are loose if I don't. I have 4 on my bag. I was also taught that it was better to use the same size bands all over the bag, and double stow as necessary to keep the tension. When I first started packing I wanted to find the right size band for each stow point so I wouldn't have to double ... but a few packers spoke against it. I have great openings, so I would like to think I'm doing things correctly, but I haven't had that many openings yet. -Andres

I just wanted to thank everyone at this point. I've already heard so many things I didn't even think of. Andres

I'm usually weary about doing anything too complicated with other newbies like myself. Today, someone asked me if I wanted to do a hybrid, in which I basically do a belly 2-way with someone and the third person (holding on our chest straps) does a sit/stand underneath us. I passed as I felt we were all a bit too inexperienced for such a thing. Obviously, I can do a two way, and if I had been jumping with a very experienced freeflyer, I would have done it. Could something have gone that bad? I guess I was worried about him popping up suddenly, but I have no real basis other than caution. I would love it if this thread could discuss different hybrids and their level of risks. Thanks

Aha!! I know you!!! I'm the guy that took two of your packjobs to get my one rig packed. I left just as you did your loading for your checkout dive. Congratulations. Hope to see you there in the next couple of days. Congrats again!

Hey Rainer, Congrats! It's Andres. Remember, "mi casa es su casa" here in Miami! Did you guys get the canopy coaching happening? Congrats again! Halo6 ... I don't think I know you, but congrats to you too! -A

I went through the same thing, but it was after my first real solo jump. (jump 9 I believe) The only piece of advice I can tell you is to allow yourself to stop. I was also getting angry at myself, forcing myself to go but not jumping, etc ... It wasn't until I said, "It's okay to stop and not want to do it." that I could really tell how I felt about it. It took a few months to realize that I just HAD to keep jumping, but you might realize differently, and that is OKAY. -A

I missed witnessing it by one load. I'm glad I did, because knowing it happened was bad enough. Being there might have traumatized me. Both the jumper and someone in the plane were cutting feverishly. I saw the seatbelt being picked up from the middle of the landing area. Not sure if it fell there on it's own, or was left there after the landing.

You can use it to cut the seatbelt that has you hanging outside of the plane when you should be in freefall.

Cruise control? It sure seems like the car is taking care of the speed. I use it when I'm on really long trips, and I trust it. It's a good way to avoid speeding too. -A It already does. uhm, actually, no, it does not. it does on almost all cars now control the engine (fuelling, spark, etc.) and various other functions, but it does not drive your vehicle on the other hand, autopilots do fly and land passenger airplanes.... but then, you have to consider the development and testing that goes into a system like that and all the built in redundancy - good luck finding any of that in an alti used for skydiving....