RichardR

I received my new Mirage G4 (MX with fully articulated harness) on-schedule in mid-November (just under four weeks)and have put about 30 jumps on it. The delivery was under four weeks including getting a reserve and Cypress2 installed. My G4 fit perfectly right out of the box. The back pad is very comfortable. The new lumbar support design is on the right track. The rig doesn't move at all. I can see how this stabilizer option keeps the rig from rotating. With such a narrow rig (less than 10" wide on the MX), I don't think that inset stabilizers would have added anything. Although I mostly do 4-way, I like all the design features that may have been necessitated by free-flyers. Everything on the rig feels very secure. This gives me more confidence on the plane and in freefall. I don't worry about the rig keeping everything tucked away until I need it. This may sound like funny thing to like about a rig, but I love the risers. The front riser dive loops are higher than I have had on other risers. As a result I feel like I can get more leverage and pull the front risers down farther without pulling on the steering lines. For my canopy this meant not having to resort to extra slack on the steering lines to avoid buffeting. Mirage (Ward) spent quite a bit of time consulting with me on the phone regarding rig size and the various options. All of his advice was on-target. Overall, spectacular service from Mirage.

Jim: Thank you so much for your generosity! Our team was overwelmed by the jesture! I felt the need to contribute something... If being nice gets people doing nice things back and for others, we can have a lot of fun out there! All: If you don't know Jim, he can be found at the DZ organizing loads and coaching other skydivers, including a lot of newbees. A great guy... one of the "good eggs". Richard Richard Rothery

Your thinking is sound. We do need the fatalities analyzed by activity. To answer one of your questions, the fatality rate is generally lower for experienced skydivers than for students (which means AFF students). Also, there is evidence to suggest that skydivers that jump infrequently or are coming back from a layoff from the sport are at higher risk. I don't know the statistics for tandem jumps or how they compare. However, keep in mind that the number of tandem jumps is probably much smaller than the number of non-tandem sport jumps. So, don't assume anything by the low number of fatalities. Part of that lower number is due to the smaller number of jumps. Another factor is the fact that tandem instructors, on average, are VERY experienced skydivers, that are cool under fire, and can handle emergencies in stride. I have read every skydiving fatality report documented for the last 13 years. More interesting than statistics by discipline is a root cause analysis. For the last five years or so, there are a significant number of fatalities due to low turns. Fatalities due to equipment problems seem to have become rare. "Operator Error" or "Operator Induced", appears to be a significant cause of death. Richard Rothery

You deserve an answer to your question. I used to use an open face helmet, but got elbowed in the nose once, which resulted it blood splattering all over my goggles. Now I use a full face unless I'm doing a two way, a hop-and-pop, or a solo. If one lands hard enough to get knocked unconscious, I'm not sure that either type of helmet is better. The full-face might keep one from breaking their jaw, but who knows? Landing hard enough to worry about a head injury is a bad thing, and should be avoided. Personnaly, I feel that the primary purpose of a helmet is to keep me conscious in free fall, so that I can pull, or execute emergency procedures. Secondary is to avoid a broken jaw, nose, or teath, which full face protection will help with. Richard Rothery

When you are in the door ready to exit the plane, you probably won't remember your name, let alone what you had for breakfast. I have never had a problem with food skydiving. If you feel a little nausiated (sp?) under canopy (after the parachute is deployed), just look at the horizon, and tell your Tandem Master, so he can keep the flying tame. Have fun, and enjoy your first jump!!! Stop worrying, everthing will be fine. Richard Rothery

I could get a lot of shit for this post.... There is very little money in skydiving, unless you are savvy enough to open one of the best drop zones in your country, or you feel like $20K (US) a year (at best) is real money. If skydiving is your passion, do it on the weekends. If you wish to be an instructor, great, it might subsidize your passion, or provide extra income for doing what you love. Don't give up your day job. Don't take my word for it. Start asking around to get perspectives from people that actually make money skydiving. I think that you will find they do it because they enjoy it, not because they can make a living off of it. I have tremendous respect for the instructors that have taught me and others to become skydivers. Most of them have day jobs. Richard Rothery

Airtwardo: 120 mph wind isn't great for any eye, even if it has never had surgery. It can pop small blood vessels on the surface of the eye. Not very attractive in the short term. Hope you heal quick! Blue Skies. Richard Rothery

Wow! I'm amazed at how many replies you got. That's great. I'm sure you have had plenty of advice by now, but one more can't hurt. I personally like to have 1500 feet between my planned breakoff altitude and minimum planned pull altitude (for 4-way). I'm comfortable pulling at 2K, so I wish to break off by 3500. If you like to pull at 3k, maybe a break off at 4,500 is best for you. The altitude for tracking should be expanded if you have something bigger than a 4-way. If your new team puts you at an altitude (after sufficient tracking) that you are uncomfortable with, and they are unwilling to change it, find a new team. Anxiety in the air is no fun. Best of luck to you. Richard Rothery

My hat's off to Skydive Spaceland. I'm new to this DZ but seemed welcomed by everyone I met. A number of people were very proactive about including me on RW jumps. After about a month there, I've only done two solo jumps and they were both hop-and-pops (demoing new canopies). When I wanted some specialized coaching I was able to get it. Spaceland appears to have a good student program and more experienced coaches and teams. No shortage of help if you ask for it. I was especially pleased to see some fairly experienced skydivers pulling lesser experienced skydivers onto loads.