grimmie

In response to many questions I have recieved. Check this sampling out. Thanks to Nick Kant for putting this together. There are a few slots remaining. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnkFeYDj3A

I was driving to the DZ today and almost crashed! KROQ in Los Angeles interviewed Travis this morning on the "Kevin and Bean Show". He said the scene in "Point Break" inspired him and the FAA said they would look the other way for this stunt. He went to Puerto Rico to pull it off, telling the pilot they were doing a Mr. Bill jump. It was a good interview, he is very well spoken, He never did mention his pals by name that jumped with him though, however gave them high praise. He also didn't mention how they saved him on deployment. The DJ's pumped his Thrillbillies show. I'm still here at Perris, and so far 100 tattooed wanna be's haven't shown up yet for "one last speed star of the summer, bra!"

There are two groups of smokejumpers, BLM and USFS. One uses rounds the other ram airs.

February 23-March 3, 2008 San Pedro town, Ambergris Caye, Belize Perris Valley's super otter to 13,000ft over the world's second largest barrier reef! Free "One Barrel" rum! Nightly parties! Jump over and into, and then SCUBA the Blue Hole! www.skydivebelize.com Beachfront hotels! Walk to the plane and boat back from the landing area!

Dave, Sounds fun. I'll see you there! I'll e-mail Ray and Chris in OZ and Irish Tony. You bring the Aspirin! Rich

tdog, I respect your opinion on the matter. However, we keep crashing jump planes at an alarming rate and folks keep killing themselves under perfectly good canopies. And how many jumpers have harmed our sport by doing bandit jumps into areas they shouldn't have? Or how about our PRO rated jumpers that auger in with thousands of spectators watching? The FAA has way more reasons to shut down skydiving if they wanted to, other than a chuteless jump. The other side of the coin is the number of young "Videoits" at home watching a stunt like that. They think it's SO cool and decide to come out to a DZ and make a leap. It's like the scene in "Point Break" where Johnny jumps without a chute after Bodie...do you know how many young guys came out to the DZ and wanted to do AFF after that???? And they ALL wanted to jump alone on their first jump. DZ's had a record year after that flick came out! So in the grand scheme of things I think our sport has more problems in other areas, and a little PR is a good thing. Just my opinion. p.s. Bill, you have a big set of brass ones, eh!

There are many things an untrained person can do to help a trained person at an emergency scene. Here is a list of a few things to do to help. I am posting this because a few years ago two jumpers with zero medical training helped save their teamate's life by following directions and staying CALM! Most times when someone fraps there is only one or two people with first aid training at the DZ (Murphy's law). To get a badly injured person out of the situation and in to an ambulance takes coordination. so remember, if you want to help... 1. STAY CALM 2. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS 3. Don't say you are trained if you are NOT A few other things to think of. A Basic First Aid class will give you training to be very effective at the DZ, an EMT certification even better. The most effective thing to do is coordinate with the local Fire/EMS provider and impliment a response system. DZ operators need to use the skills of their jumpers. Most DZ's have EMT's, Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, etc. that jump there. If any of you have any questions or need help with your DZ emergency plan please pm me.

During an EMT course a few years back we had a well known trauma doctor give a lecture on the subject of falls. During many studies over many years he concluded that an 11ft. fall is enough to kill the most fit person. Not standing at foot level 11', rather head level at 11', and hitting head first. I've seen enough fraps on my job and at the DZ to believe him. Pull your strings and PLF...

Wishful thinking on my part...tired of seeing my friends die...

We mooned Bungee as he took off from Perris to fly home. It was after the turkey twenty ways about 15 years ago.. His low wing collided with a high wing on approach to land. Here was a world class skydiver that couldn't get his rig out of the gear bag and on in time. The crash killed all involved...

The caravan that crashed had a hard shell two piece door that fit while the jump door was installed. I flew in that same plane to Belize in 2005 with Geoff Farrington and Dave Kaiser at the helm. It had 2 bench seats for the 4 passengers. My rig was under my seat but I doubt we could have gotten out in an emergency situation that was rapidly deteriorating... I don't know what configuration they were flying it in but I would imagine the hard shell was on for the weather. This just sucks...

We used the same Caravan in 2005 for Belize. There were two bench seats installed for the four passengers on that ferry flight. regardless of part 91 or 135, we have got to stop crashing jump planes. How we do that I'm not sure...

Thanks guys. I should have posted not just military but any old rounds would do. A friend of mine came to the rescue with a couple of old civilian canopies. Hell, even a few old ram airs would do. They just need a way to drop supplies for rescue missions out at sea and in the jungle. The military in Belize supports skydiving in an incredible way. I'm just trying to repay a favor or three!

I just returned from Belize after doing a demo jump for their Independence Day. The Belize Defense Force flies one Islander/Defender model that we jump from thru out the year. The commander has an old round they had donated to them by Andy Butchko, an old time Texas jumper still skydiving and living in Belize. I was wondering if any of you had some old gear to donate for doing some cargo drops. They don't have a helicopter and would like a way to get supplies to remote areas. I know a lot of you that lurk this section have stuff sitting in the corner of the loft/garage that would work. PM me if you can help. Thanks! Rich Grimm www.skydivebelize.com

I was just in Belize and jumped out of the Belize Defense Force plane for a demo. The guys have an old round they drop cargo with. The commander would like some old rounds and containers to use. If any of you riggers have some junk in the corner of the loft you would like to donate please let me know. Thanks!

About 10 years ago the late Robin Wilcox used to jump with his dog Pud. Pud seemed OK with it, but a lot of people gave him crap for taking the pooch jumping. He treated that dog great.

Jump numbers are very deceptive when it comes to canopy skills. Some people have one thousand jumps...some people have ONE jump a thousand times. If you are looking to downsize or purchase an initial canopy, speak with your instructors and coaches that you have jumped with. Also discuss it with jumpers you have been on loads with that have good judgement. Also realize your own abilities. Enjoy, there is nothing quite like that first jump on a shiny, slippery new canopy!

Gosh darn it, Airtwardo! I tuned in to tonights episode to see Batman pull off the Riddler's mask in Commissioner Gordon's office to solve a decades old mystery! Who knew Batman would run off to chase the Joker and Penguin before the last Colgate commercial...

Nick, I remember a fatality into downtown with a jumper that clipped his flag bag on after he donned his rig. He had a leg mounted PC and the bridle was trapped. After he deployed he had a PC in tow. If I remember correctly he was training for an upcoming demo. 15 years ago maybe???

Ray Cottingham/Jim Wallace????? just a shot in the dark, looks like SoCal maybe.... By the way, i love all the posts you do on this stuff!!!!

No Ckret...the show I am selling is everyone on this thread locked in a room arguing, name calling and taunting each other..like on this THREAD... Maybe we could have names for it like... "DB and the Hag"...or "Are you smarter than a Flybounce?"...or "True Stories of the Literate FBI"...or "Hagnet" And you can be the tandem master on your show 'cuz I ain't takin' no TV contestant outta the plane on a rainy night over the woods!!!!!!

"Skydiving...you don't loose your girlfriend...you just loose your turn"

I'm going to sell this thread to FOX for a new reality show...

Perris Valley's Super Otter to 13,000ft over the Belize Barrier Reef! Nightly parties! Load organizers! This has turned into a "family reunion" of sorts...join us on the "Pro Tanning Tour 2008"! www.skydivebelize.com Walk across the street to the plane, jump, boat back to the hotel! 9 nights hotel, 15 jumps, transportation, welcoming dinner, free rum and more!

The Kodiak is many months from being at a DZ. And a Beaver with a turbine will be more than the Kodiak new, all costs considered.