SkySlut

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Posts posted by SkySlut

  2. No problem. Yeah, it can be difficult sometimes to tell, but IMHO, a student typically gives you telltale clues on the ground. It is more difficult for a level 1 student because they may act all macho, but not knowing the students personality previously...you may not know that a macho attitude may be covering up severe terror. The more that you jump with them, the easier it may become to tell that they may or may not jump. Typically, everyone has the same physical effects of stress. sweating, clammy plams, shortness of breath, change in voice, and their overall demeanor may change. It may take some time to pick up on these clues if you arent looking for them. There are several little things that you can do to get a litmus test from a student before you jump without asking them "so how scared are you???":)
    Unfortunately, at least in the US, they dont teach instructors or coaches for that matter to be better prepared to pick up on these clues that your student is either going to fail the level or going to put themselves and us into a potentially very dangerous situation because of too much stress. I believe that we as instructors should be able to physically and mentally prepare our students. Skydiving is 90% mental and 10% physical.

  3. I certainly didnt mean for that to be a personal attack, if it came across that way, my apologies...but I do believe that there is something to be said for a student being prepared. Physically and mentally. They tend to go hand in hand with each other. Fear is a normal thing and I want to have a student with fear, it keeps them honest with themselves and a certain amount of fear is a good thing. Too much fear or overstimulation can lead to poor performance on the lesser side or at worst it can lead to an extremely dangerous situation for the student as well as the instructor. I really dont like risking my students life or mine. That is what I was getting at. Not meant as a personal attack, my apologies again, if it came acrorss that way.

  5. I have had that happen a couple of times and it happens usually when I get under canopy. I have attributed it to spending too much time at the bonfire the night before (dehydration) and not breathing in freefall, because it usually only happens when I am freeflying. I know that I am not relaxed and I am fairly certain that I am not breathing at all. Ever try to run a mile when you are out of shape and dehydrated. Its a similar feel to me. Bellyflying is my primary mode of flying and I have never had a problem, but when I am not breathing and really tense I get a feeling that I am going to puke under canopy. You may want to think about your breathing and see what happens. good luck.:)

  8. Yeah, I met the US Rep...I met him at the convention in Jacksonville. He was jumping at Skydive New England, but I believe his business address was in NY somewhere...I am not quite sure. I got a business card from him. I will try to find it and I will post his contact info...thats if I cand find it.:)

  14. Yep, they will be holding another search next year!!! The location has yet to be determined, but last I am assuming it will most likely be in Deland this coming year. Watch Parachutist for ads, it should be out before the end of the year!!! That ad wont have the location in it either, but it will be in Florida.

    ps. check out www.searchies.org to see a brief article on 2003s Search. It was done by one of the attendees from England.

  15. So I went from Orlando to Providence this past week. Here is my story:

    Orlando was no problem whatsoever, my rig which was in a carryon bag didnt even get a second glance. My g/f's bag was looked at more because of a makeup kit. I was pretty happy about that!!!

    Heading back to Orlando from Providence was a different story. I have no idea what set their metal detectors off (I had nothing in my pockets at all) but I had to get the wand with nothing found, then they wiped me down for bomb residue!!! (by the way, when they do this DO NOT ask them why they are testing you for bomb residue, apparently asking a question that contains the phrase "bomb residue" really makes them nervous and gets you scrutinized even further-I thought I was going to jail for that question for a brief time). So the guy opens up my bag and digs through everything...jumpsuit, with special attention paid to my grippers...logbook, they dug through everything...rig, the guy knew what he was looking at and didnt pull any handles or anything, but they put it through the xray machine again along with a few questions about "canisters". Anyways, they let me through and I was off to Florida.

    Just when I thought I was done...I was unpacking my bag that I checked and I found this "Notice of Baggage Inspection" in my bag. I thought I would pass this on. Here it is in its entirety:

    To protect you and your fellow passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law to inspect all checked baggage. As part of this process, some bags are opened and physically inspected. Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection.

    During the inspection, your bag and its contents may have been searched for prohibited items. At the completion of the inspection, the contents were returned to your bag, which was resealed.

    If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag for inspection because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. TSA sincerely regrets haveing to do this, and has taken care to resear your bag upon completion of inspection. However, TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution.

    For packing tips and other suggestions that may assist you during your next trip, visit:

    www.TSATravelTips.us

    We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the TSA Consumer Response Center:

    Phone: 1 866 289-9673
    Email: [email protected]

    :):o:P


    Sorry for the typos, but it has been a while since my high school typing class and I am too lazy to edit the whole thing, but you get the picture.:)

  20. Thanks, pretty lazy today, but I was also thinking that he is at a tandem progression dz considering his post...where a COA maybe a bit different compared to an AFF COA, but I could be wrong. I havent worked with tandem progression before.