Butters

How much does gear rental cost? If it costs $25 per jump and you buy a rig for $1,500 then you pay for the rig at 60 jumps. Then you can sell the rig (now you saved money) and upgrade. Does the rig fit? Are you going to want to downsize canopies or try disciplines the container was not meant for before 60 jumps? How hard will the rig be to sell? Just a few things I'm thinking about while searching for gear. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

AFF student, huh? I prefer the seat by the door, last in and first out. (Not to mention I don't appreciate the plane ride as much as the skydive and if something were to go wrong I like the option of being the first person out the door.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Thank you for those images. (I am new and in my thread in the introduction forum I mentioned that I am very interested in tracking and wingsuits and they mentioned the wingsuit forum and your name.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

It also depends on whether you have an AAD. The AAD I am jumping with is set for 1,250ft and it reccomends not to use your main within 1,500ft of that so I should use my reserve if at or below 2,750ft. Above that is my personal decision and was determined talking to an instructor. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I believe that to live a meaningful life I must take risks. Taking risks is done in two parts, risk assesement and risk management. Once I asses the risks and determine a plan to manage them I must take action. I do not think about mortality, I think I have assesed the risks and created a plan to manage them and then I give up control (not saying you stop reacting but you have given way to possible negative reactions that you will have to deal with). The problem in this thread is a control problem. People do not want to give up control over themselves or the ones they love. This applies to many areas of life besides BASE and must be dealt with on a person by person or relationship by relationship level. I wish my parents were at least interested in my activites (or at the least accepting). I think a father will take the extra effort to asses the risks and create as safe as possible a plan to manage those risks. PS: I do want to do or at least try BASE. I assesed the risk and created a plan to manage it. My plan was to do a tandem skydive (done), complete AFF (done), complete my UPSA A license (almost done), and later gain more expierience (long way from done). This is not the plan for everyone, it is the plan for me. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Muffy, that is really cool. I would love to see some long tracking (wingsuit) jumps plotted like your images. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I can't speak for others, but I know I've done plenty of clear and pulls from low as well as high altitudes and wouldn't be worried about knowing how to exit stable. But I'd like to know what handle people are planning to pull when they exit the aircraft at 2k or below? We know there are plenty of skygods around here who claim it will never happen to them because they've successfully gone to their mains after all these jumps. But if I'm in a disabled airplane and I need to exit it at 2k or below, rest assured I'll be going for my reserve handle. Then again I'm not as cool as some of these skygods. And to the skygods out there who still think 2k freaks me out. Why don't you come join me and some friends at our local 180 foot span and/or local 300 foot cliff. You may see some fear in my eyes, but if the weather conditions are right, I'll still jump. Fear is a good thing in our sport(s). It helps prevent us from becoming too complacent. Ok, I just went over this with my instructor to determine at what altitudes I would pull what handles. Easier for me because I can not pull the main below 2,750ft because of my AAD (unless I disable it which I don't believe I would have time to do in the case of an emergency). I was also told that once I take my seatbelt off in the airplane I am declaring that I am jumping out of the airplane (in the case of an emergency if I don't jump I will either be pushed out out of the way or out of the plane). Thinking about this makes me understand why some people have concerns about other peoples plans in an emergency procedure. If I were sitting in the last out position I want to know everyone else is getting out and fast in an emergency procedure so I have time to get out. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I may be wrong but people have stated that you should practice exiting at 2,000ft in the case you have to exit from 2,000ft in an emergency. Wouldn't it be wiser to practice exiting at 3,000ft while pretending you were exiting from 2,000ft (pretend that 1,000ft is the ground)? "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I just graduated AFF and bought a digital altimeter (Neptune by Altimaster) and find it to be even easier to read than an analog altimeter. Don't think you have enough things to deal with, think what will be easiest for you to deal with. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Ok, here is another option. Start or interrupt every conversation with: Why do women have boobs? So you have something to look at when they're talking to you. Then stare at the women's boobs. This will drive many women away. If they are still there then make the following comment. You don't have nice boobs to look at, I'm going to go talk to someone else. This will drive more away. If they are still following you they are a stalker and you should contact the police and take out a restraining order. You should be warned that a restraining orde makes you appear unavailable and you should refer to my earlier post. PS: Amazing results with this simple line: We should go back to my place and you can meet my mom who lives with me. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Women are attracted to things they can't have, this is why advertising is primarily aimed at them. (If you don't believe me, take a look around our economy and look at how it is driven.) If you want to keep women away, make yourself available. The best approach is to act nice. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I am assuming that when they mention modification to a wingsuit that will be needed to land without a parachute they are taking into account a way to flare at landing similiar to a parachute. Otherwise you are right, it is going to hurt alot! If (according to some I should say when) this happens I guarantee you there will be a rise in fatalities. (Just look at swooping.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Ok, I was finally able to see the movie and I have a question. What the f**k? Seriously, did the harness not fit or did something go wrong (besides the AFF-I pulling your chute)? I had a very hard opening (that was unusual because I was stable, the end cells were closed, and the slider was partially up) and had some minor bruises but that looks like it broke a vein or something. I am interested to know what your AFF-I think about it. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Just a side note, I did talk to the instructor and have now taken two courses and jumps with the instructor that were both educational and fun. Maybe we were both just having a bad day? Always nice to remain open and give second chances. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Yep, that's me. Now you know where I found out about the beer rules ahead of time.

I passed the AFF yesterday and was welcomed in (over my 2nd case of beer) to the group. I am going to try and get my USPA A license before the season is over. Then next year can be all about improving my basic skills and lots of tracking. If anyone has advice on skills or drills to fly wingsuits let me know because that is my true interest in skydiving. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Sorry to hear the news. I think your excitement is awesome. I have heard great things about the wind tunnel. There are no wind tunnels near my location and even the DZ is one hour away. I still get the shakes after landing but now I get a little nervous (not sure if that is really the right word) on the A/C ride. I get a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about it, I love when the door opens and I can just run and jump out of that tin can. Well, hope your luck can match your excitement and things go well in the tunnel and next year. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

GreenMachine gives another possible route to take with the tandem progression. (I didn't have that option.) I did a tandem before I started the AFF so that I would not be overwhelmed on the first skydive. If you are concerned about your reactions during an EP then having a TI may be the better option (although you should know the EP even with a TI). Just remember to relax, it may seem hard but it makes things easy. Other than that, listen to your instructors. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

A note on body position. You will have two AFF-I (one on each side) holding you to keep your body position correct for Category A and B (if you fail or do not feel comfortable you will or can repeat the skydive). There is always the risk of becoming seperated from your AFF-I and thus you should be confident that you will take proper action in that event. Anyways, I just graduated AFF yesterday and my only advice ... relax, listen to your instructors, and have fun. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

What do you like to drink besides beer. I have become a fan of Jack Daniels and Root Beer on the rocks as of late (love that Jack Daniels). In fact I might be a little tipsy from that drink right now. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Thanks for the responses. I got the answeres I was looking for (you can be sued, but if you were acting as a good samaritan in such a situation it strengthens your case) and even though I took down the question for the poll it is interesting to see the results. My other hobbies are more "All for One" where skydiving appears to be "One for All" which is what I expected given the circumstances of skydiving. Thanks everyone for reponses and voting.

Dammit, Butters. Shut up. You asked the question, and other people will reply and state their thoughts. You don't have to argue with each one, just sit back and let the discussion develop. You have a good question. But here's the deal. Guy's PC is out in the plane, he's going to be killed in moments. Pushing him out is the only possible chance he has. If everyone lives, you're a hero. If it doesn't work out, he was toast anyway. That's the rationale for the action. It's very simple and should be presented in first jump courses that way. Kevin K. krkeenan, Sorry, I am not trying to argue it is just that everyone keeps posting about the PC incident but what I am trying to ask is can other jumpers be sued for their actions (even if they appear to be the correct ones). The reason I ask is if they can then is there anything they can do (reason I mentioned waivers) to better their side in the case of a lawsuit. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Once again, I understand in a situation where a PC is free in the A/C the jumper and PC should be removed from the plane, whether the jumper exits or is or pushed it is almost always the best action for everyone involved. I have no problem with the issues of life and death. I am an avid motorcyclist, rock climber, mountaineer, and becoming a skydiver. I put my life in other peoples hands often and am ok with them making quick decisions that affect me. There is a post in the incident report regarding a family suing on behalf of a skydiver involved in an accident. (I am not someone who believes in lawsuits and have expressed this to my family as should everyone so they don't bring lawsuits in your name if something happens to you.) I then read the other incident report regarding the PC ... and just had the question and was looking for peoples thoughts. I would hate for people to become cautious and not take proper action in fear of a lawsuit and would rather see some of these things in the waivers. (Although I doubt in a life and death situation people would first think of lawsuits like most people here have stated.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

Option 1: Look around for someone who wants to try a last minute variation of a Mr. Bill. No takers? Option 2: See if the A/C is diving and try to get back in. If you do make it back in then play it off real cool like you were just trying to cool down. Option 3: I like the idea proposed about aiming for the expensive car. (Aim for the windshield and make the largest bug splat possible.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

I want the option to choose "sexy - woman dependant" because I have seen some women that were nipping out that were not sexy. (Nipples should be roughly aligned and pointing in the same direction.) As Peter Griffen from Family Guy stated. Why do women have boobs? So you have something to look at when you're talking to them. (This is a joke ladies, do not get offended, simply laugh and make a joke about men.) "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch