boxingrrl

Nope. I must've missed that part, too. I think you can see it in my avatar. The indicator just hangs down in front of my goggles. Never had a problem with it... Anyone know if this could somehow be damaging to the Cam-eye?

Mine is for a sidemount PC 110. I have the switch front and center on my helmet. That hole is drilled out. (Make sure you keep your electronics well clear when drilling. It's also recommended that you seal the edges of the hole with clear nail polish or something similar.) The excess wires and the indicator are kept in place inside my helmet, under the padding, with gaffers tape. I've been very happy with mine. The switch is easy to get to, but doesn't get accidentally bumped. Nothing extra hanging around. I'd think that you'd have a hard time keeping the switch stationary with just gaffers tape. Plus, you'd have a heck of a road map all over the outside of your helmet with all of the excess wiring. Just my $.02... good luck!

You mean "bag lock bands"?

I'm all for student's taking responsibility for themselves, but there has to be a limit-- as mentioned in several other posts. It sounds to me like the student should receive more education, and that should suffice-- but they could still be given the option of paying for the the repack and incidental expenses (time for the rigger/instructor away from other duties, rental fee for the rig's down time, etc.), and they shouldn't jump until they've "supervised" the rigger as he/she repacks it. If they choose the latter option, they're obviously all dollars and no sense.

I know of a diabetic skydiver at my DZ. He seems to do just fine. I know that he monitors his diet and doesn't seem to drink excessively in order to stay within the limits of his insulin. I doubt that you would be grounded at too many US DZ's. If you're under a doctor's care and they've released you (more or less), and you sign the waiver, I think you're pretty well good to go. I would be sure to tell someone at a new DZ, and make sure they know where your supplies are. And, go easy at first-- adrenaline will have it's way with your system and you might not respond as normal to your insulin. I would think that it would just like being involved in any other sport. No reason for diabetes to hold you back, but you might have to take extra precautions or be more prepared with food and supplies for the day. Good luck to you!

I know that you're looking for media material, but another route might be to check out your local community college(s) and/or libraries. They often offer courses in ASL/manual communication. One thing to consider as you're learning, is that it's like any other language. Being able to speak it (however slowly) is not the same as being able to understand it when spoken by a native. Reading sign, when done by someone fluent, is a whole different ballgame than knowing your ABC's. A classroom experience might better enhance your ability to pick it up, and give you a venue to practice signing and reading. Just a thought-- good luck!

I'm glad that someone brought this up. I used to work in a health care facility with kids with multiple disabilities. Most of them had horrible pasts and behavior issues, and spent a great deal of time hurting themselves or others. As health care workers, we had no right to know which of these kids had bloodborne illnesses (HIV, and Hepatitis B or C.) Because of their right to confidentiality, we exercised universal precautions with all wounds and bodily fluids. (As anyone should in healthcare or at the DZ.) There were protocols for dealing with exposures-- testing and the administration of appropriate therapies. As a tandem master, you will never know what your students may be exposing you to, until something happens. Some may argue that turn about is fair play. Legally-- I think you have to look at the "reasonable person standard". Would a reasonable person think that they were likely to expose someone to HIV by taking him/her on a tandem? I think that's what we're trying to figure out here... No answers, DB, only more questions. Best of luck to you!

In all seriousness-- does your son's school offer any kind of alternative learning experience for credit programs? If they do, it would be awesome if he could spend some time at PD, or another manufacturer to see how it's really done. If he can't do it for credit, it might be an awesome way to spend a few weeks in the summer.

Neatly trimmed-- lessens the chance of extracurricular flossing. Shaved is just weird, and not so pleasant as it grows out. I think if it's going to be smooth, it needs to be really smooth (waxed)-- or it just takes all the fun out of friction.

Be sure to tell him that skychicks dig guys who can sew

Wow. Brave of you to bring this up. I have mixed feelings-- coming from a medical background, and being a baby tandem master/DZ staff. I think that your DZO should know. And I hope that they are supportive, regardless of whether you continue to do tandems. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself. What would be best for you and your stress?

Perhaps we could combine sports... and invent a third-- dodging wheelbarrows falling from the sky

Well put.

Sweet!!!!

This is one of my concerns. Qualified tandemmasters shouldn't have to add a camera to the skydive in order to work. But, if given the choice between continuing gainful employment and having to move along, some less experienced tandemmasters, or those without the best judgement may decide to go with the handy. Forcing tandemmasters to do it pretty much guarantees that "any ass" is going to end up with a camera on their hand. By trying to save money and eliminating outside videographers from the work pool, these DZ's are also effectively eliminating potential AFF jumpmasters and future tandem masters. True, fewer staff means more $ for those left, but increased burn-out and decreased safety due to fatigue and distraction could be the fallout. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to stay within their own limits and skydive accordingly. That doesn't make it right for DZO's to coerce staff into compromising their safety and the students' safety in order to increase profit.

Funny you should ask... I'm pulling my hair out in a finance class right now. I'm still a student, so proceed at your own risk. It is my understanding that: You should check the terms of your credit card agreement for information re: the billing cycle. Some are 25, some 28, some 30 days. You should be able to find out the same info re: the bank loan, as well. Days in the billing cycle (and compounding of interest) make a difference in the effective interest rate. Something else to consider is how the credit card co. will determine your minimum monthly payment. Some are more "generous" than others, while some may require that you pay that $250 (or more) as a minimum anyway on $10,000. Rather than dig through all of your paperwork, it might be just as easy to call customer service and ask. I would start with those two tasks before trying to actually calculate the best deal. Good luck! Edited to add: Also ask-- or read carefully, to determine if there is a fee for the cash advance on your card. Sometimes they run special offers, but usually it's a one-time 2-5%. The bank may also have fees, so keep that in mind. Even at 2%, that's an extra $200 (almost a whole monthly payment extra) that you'd be borrowing.

Now that's the FTD spirit!!!

What every woman longs to hear on Valentine's Day...

And how's the footage if you do really need to fly that exit? The thing that is so cool about tandem videos is that they preserve a once in a lifetime experience. It sucks so bad when the video doesn't come out. That person will never have their first skydive again. Purely from a customer service perspective, I think you can give a better product, more reliably and safer by sticking to outside video.

A double-shot of OJ, and then some coffee-- Ok, lots of coffee, with cream

Let's get back to the B's: B

How thirsty are you?

If you're thinking you want to keep making what you make now, then you should keep your day job. You will be hardpressed to make anywhere close to 30K, even as a full-time AFF, tandem, videographer, and rigger and packing in your spare time. On the weekends, you can do tandems and video-- and still write off all your expenses and other jumps. You may come out ahead at tax time that way, and spend less of your regular income skydiving.

EEEeeeewwwww!!!!!

Mine came from a wedding jump-- me and another videographer on the camera step, with a third on top of the plane-- the shot came from his video.