lefty619

Sorry for not keeping up on my thread. I've been on vacation for a couple of days. I have pain in both knees. My biggest problems come from my left knee though. I have instability problems, and chondromalacia. I was reading about the parachute landing fall in the USPA student manual. It seems fairly straight forward-knees and feet together, and roll over to one side. I will be jumping again in a week or two, so I'll be sure to mention it to my instructor, if he doesn't bring it up first. I just ordered a couple of books, and a DVD going over the principles of skydiving; I'll be sure to pay attention to the plf landing portions. Thanks for the advice.

I'm a newbie-one tandem-so, i'm not at all qualified to compare Skydive SD to other places(haven't been to any). I can say that I was completely confident that all of the staff that I met were highly motivated and proficient. The facilities were great(maybe some food aside from vending machines though). I'm studying the USPA student manual, and just ordered some books on parachuting. I'm planning on getting my A-license over the summer. Due to the great experience I had at Skydive SD, I will entrust the rest of my training to them.

I was reading here and on the Big Air website that parachutes with air-locks are suppose to provide a softer landing more often than a canopy w/out them. I was looking at the Lotus b/c it looks more student, less performance oriented. Any comments on air-locks? There are a lot in the gear section, most positive. But I figure that people with certain disabilities-bad knees, ankles, back etc.-would be more interested in consistently landing softer than those who are perfectly healthy-not that they want to bounce off the ground or anything. I know that I may be jumping the gun here, seeing that I don't even have my license, but I had to ask.

Thanks for the replies. I'm studying as much as possible-mainly the SIM from USPA. I'm in contact with my DZ, but haven't talked much about my knee. The butt-slide technique does sound much safer-to my knees at least. But, the increased danger to my back doesn't sound too cool. But, then again, its all about risk management. And giving myself as many options as possible is always a good thing. I'm getting a lower leg work-out together, and am looking at a stabilizing knee brace. I'll definitely study more about landings, as well as talk to my local DZ (Skydive San Diego). Thanks for the advice!

Hello all. I'm a newbie-both to skydiving and forum posting. So please forgive any newbie mistakes or newbie questions. I was medically discharged from the Navy due to knee complications a couple of years ago. Although I thought my first jump (tandem) would totally blow my knee out, it didn't. I know that landing on my own will probably be much harder, thus more dangerous. But I can't get over the feeling of jumping out of a plane @ 13K ft.! Now I have the bug, and am planning on getting my A license. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks all.