BIGUN

Actually, the ISP is AFF and/or AFP and/or S/l-IAD and/or tandem AND it is no longer about number of jumps as much as it is about categories. It's also about parsing out the learning over a greater number of dives with less performance-objectives per dive and therefore, less performance anxiety with more enjoyment of freefall. It's about having the flexibility to use ANY instructional methodology at any point and use them over the course of 25 dives to get an "A" license and no longer think in terms of 5, 7, 10, 12 jump benchmarks. It's about never having to "flunk" a student again, but merely encourage them on what needs to be done better within this category. It's about all three instructional methodologies working in harmony to achieve the student's objective of becoming a skydiver. If a student is having difficulty with a Cat D dive within the AFF program, then handing them off to a TI for a one-on-one dive to correct. It's about being able to take the student that is having difficulty with canopy control and handing them off to an S/L Instructor and going to 7500' and just working the canopy. It's about flexibility, safety, fun and retention. It's about changing hardline barriers into learning bridges. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

PM "Jeffery" for your answers Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Great story, good outcome. It's difficult to convey the entire meaning in a thread sometimes. I doubt that myself or anyone else who's in that position would just cut the unconcious skydiver (well, we can hope). My concern was for the concious ones and what their first instinct would be. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

One eye on everything and one eye on the S/L's - if one goes to the bottom of the door and stays, you have a towed jumper. Stop the stick, assess, determine approriate action, procede with appropriate action. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Oops, more coffee.... cherry jumper Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

The first step to learning is the phrase, "I don't know." Thanks for taking the time to write such an important and informative topic. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

The roots of skydiving instruction come from the military. Everyone who's been through Airborne School has been taught this is the procedure. Like BillVon, I totally disagree with the hands on head scenario; did not agree with it in the military and don't agree with it in skydiving. Here's the reason: How many people on static-line can really SENSE the difference between being towed behind an A/C and/or freefall. I doubt the student with one or two S/L "skydives" can or that a military candy jumper can. What they can SENSE is that magic shit didn't happen in four seconds and their first reaction is going to be to do their EP's. As a towed jumper, cutting away ain't going to do squat. The next step is to pull the reserve - this is going to be bad. I too, am going to whip out the blade and cut the S/L. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

I "believe" most of the folks you're getting input from probably have a long history of being in tandems. The result has been considerable stress on the TI's shoulders, backs and knees. With the advent of newer gear and canopies, I have no issues in any of these areas. I've torn out a rotator cuff, blew a bursa sack and had a run in with my L5S1 from a night military jump. Tandems don't seem to have any effect on these three parts of my body. I jump an Eclipse tandem with the Icarus canopyu and have only been slammed once in my short 300ish tandem career. I love the toggle pressure of the canopy, whereby I can flare the canopy by myself with 200+ pounders on it. I say go for it. You can always "test' it for awhile to see if it causes you any problems. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Chris N. asked for information in his commentary this month. I must admit to having the same conversation with Bill N (www.scr-awards.com) administrator regarding awards. Bill designed some new awards that freeflyers and formation flyers could earn together. There was a time when these awards were actively sought by skydivers, but over the past few years, less and less awards are being applied for. Chris is asking for your opinion on the direction of the future and what you would like to see (if anything at all). Are there awards that you think may have value and that skydivers will attempt to achieve? Is it time to think outside the box? Is there personal value in these awards? Share your opinion. Edited by request of the original poster to make the Subject line more specific. -SP- Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

After my first "floating" pud handle (not bad, just went from being a pud inserted in the right closing flap to a floating hacky), I had our local rigger tack about an inch and a half of velcro on the pud flat part and the opposing piece on the inside of the right closing flap. Works fine. Hope that helps. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Perhaps you could use Jeff's info and contact Quantum Leap? Most DZs know whose colors are whose. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Hmmm... Does that mean you and I can't do a Mr. Bill? Bet that might make the cover of "Parachutist" Better yet: you, me, atsbury and cvd would bring new meaning to the term, "meat missile." Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

I also comment and sign under the comment on the back of the certificate. That way they can frame it without a messy front, but can always pop out the certificate to look or show if they like. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

http://www.uspa.org/contact/coursedir_coach.htm If you are going to be visiting the US and would like to get a Coach rating while here, you may wish to contact one of the CC Director's in the area you are visiting a couple of months in advance. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Yeah, but have you done it and had a rotor catch your canopy at the same time? Sometimes, we don't have time to educate you and can be a bit blunt. He had his reasons and they are good ones. Get with the local Instructor or S&TA and learn how come it's not a good idea for awhile. Can I suggest you download BillVon's downsizing checklist and start practicing those manuevers up high. That'll put you way ahead of the power curve of that of your peers (p.s. do them outside the landing area). Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Now that Tim has called us "Jackasses" (in a most loving way ).... Allow me to expand on the responses. First, please always feel like you can ask a question here. I think most of us (and the 49 who voted, "no") hear something like this and envision, "soaking" a canopy down and get scared for you and not really trying to beat you up as much as placing emphasis. What Tim has said is true. but, humidity is different than spraying water. We know that there are "x" particles of moisture per "Y" million parts of air which disperses evenly across the canopy, rig, etc. Spraying water is more of, "How do you ensure that not too much is sprayed in one area which can cause pockets of water inside the cells, which can lead to damage. It's better to pack slow and right and wrestle the demon for the first 30 jumps or so than to look for alternative solutions that may cause more harm as a short-term fix to wrestling. Hope that un-jackasses meself and encourages you to feel free to ask questions. It wasn't a stupid question, just one for concern. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

I voted "NO" because "Hell NO" was not an option. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

If they are arrested and convicted, some states have a "Crime Victim Restitution Fund" (or some other such name). When sentenced, part of the Judge's fine includes the amount that was stolen from you, the criminal has to pay the courts and the courts pay you. Having said that; sometimes it is for the whole amount; other times you get an apportionment; other times you get nada. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Dammit. Sid beat me to posting Sid's site this time. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

While the introduction of new information to the dynamics of the relationship may have been initially devastating, perhaps he'll think about it and realize the reasons he loves her outweigh her age. And, maybe he'll understand her fears in telling him. I suspect he wasn't originally a candidate for a long-term relationship and what started out as a white-lie became darker as the relationship grew. I do think the radio broadcast was in poor taste and should've been done in person. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

It is according to the book. However, here is the problem that most DZ's understandably have... myself included... You have a student that you've never jumped with before. Suddenly, you're doing a Cat D (The old AFF Level 4) AND you cannot take a harness hold exit, nor pull for the student at pull time. Kinda some cause for concern. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Hmmmm... female driving down the road with a tag that says... Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

Yup. Cat D. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

"Oh; well there you go, you're a Liberal Arts major." Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

The 2,500 foot decision-making altitude is used as a tool for students who cannot determine whether they have a good canopy or bad canopy by that altitude. If you cannot decide by 2,500' - that is when the decision to cutaway is made. You decided earlier than 2,500' - so what? Bees, trees, money, - so what? In my opinion, it's better to cutaway a good canopy and be wrong, than to not cutaway a bad canopy and be wrong. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.