danornan

An AAD does not open your reserve************ I'm sure that you don't mean to, but with respect, playing with words (cut a closing loop better!) seems to occupy the time of many on this forum and does nothing to promote safety. Would you prefer that no one use an AAD? Sparky I am 100% FOR the use of AAD's. HOWEVER, I am also 100% in favor of knowledgable rig owners too. No BS. MOST no-pull accidents could be saved if an AAD was properly installed, maintained, turned on and calibrated for any landing zone altitude differential. BUT, they have their functional limitations and are not able to do anything more than they are designed to do... They do NOT open the canopy, launch the pilot 'chute or even open the container. If all goes well, they cut the closing loop. After that, all the same variables come into play as if you had successfully pulled the ripcord (more or less). Know your gear! (and get, install, learn, use an AAD.) JW JW - You are jumping to conclusions. I know that it only cuts the closing loop. When someone says that it opens their reserve, MOST people understand what is said and what is happening. Lighten up Francis!!!! Dano

An AAD does not open your reserve************ I'm sure that you don't mean to, but with respect, playing with words (cut a closing loop better!) seems to occupy the time of many on this forum and does nothing to promote safety. Would you prefer that no one use an AAD? Sparky Dano

If I "really" needed it, I would give everything that I have and go out and borrow more, if necessary! Since none of use have that opportunity, I would pay what ever the free market would charge for an electronic piece of equipment that is meant to open my reserve, if I'm not able or haven't opened my parachute above ~1,000 feet. Dano

Nice looking belt and it looks comfortable. Dano

Not a good plan..... I spend a lot of time in the water weekly with lots of lead and if you are wearing normal skydiving gear/shoes and land in the water, you better have great skills or help handy. You will rarely go under after a big breath, it's after you exhale. Swimming with lead takes some practice and is not something to learn "on the job." Dano

Looks like a small group! Mine was late 99 and I didn't walk with pressure on the leg for 6 months. Bone grafts, blood transfusions, lots of screws and metal and I didn't jump for 2 years. 5 operations, lots of rehab and now mostly back to "normal." I was told that I might need a new knee 5 years after the accident, but it had been 11 years and no discomfort. Range of motion is just slightly greater than 130 degrees. Light exercise is ok. DON'T RUN. It's not good for the knee with prior damage. I did a little jogging last year and stopped because I could feel the discomfort. Swimming and bike riding with low stress seems to be best for me. Keep away from stressing the joint. Lots of cartilage is missing. Dano

Thanks for picking it up - It would be nice if everyone just picked up and disposed of one a day! Better if not left on the table, but, ...... Oh well ! Z-Hills does recycle. Bottles and skydivers. There are containers all around. Thanks TK... Dano

Aside from what is above, I personally prefer an analog watch over a digital because I'm glancing to know how much time I have before I have to do something. It's rare that I need to know that it is 3:45. But a glance tells me I have ''about" 15 minutes before it is 3:00. Same with an analog altimeter. Red/yellow means I need to be taking action quickly! Before that, it's just a number for reference. I don't care that it's 6,800. Doesn't mean much to me. I do notice my pull altitude with my eyes, audible, my altimeter and other's altimeters. Dano

I personally like an analog on my mudflap. It's there when I need it and out of the way when not. It is a reference for me and not an absolute. I do have a Viso, but don't use it very much. Dano

Whats interesting is the basic philosophy behind this statement is almost 100% true for anything in life. People with the least self confidence are usually the bully. People the best at their job are usually the most humble and willing to admit error because they know they have nothing to prove. The best skydivers don't go around trying to show off to every whuffo that walks on the dropzone. And if I'm not overweight, I don't need my wife reassuring me all the time that I'm still attractive to her. You could go on and on with this list. And I think its no different on both sides of the religious debates with the Pledge of Allegiance and our currency. Public prayer and yada yada. +1 The loudest generally have the least to say. Dano

What type of skydiving do you want to do? Some DZ's are more noted for fun jumpers, head down, or team activity. Let us know your preference...... Dano

I think if you foot leaves first, you are sort of in trouble. Kind of like diving out when you should be dive floating! You are already behind the curve..... Dano

I mostly jump Cessna's, so I gotta ask. I was always taught to launch off the left foot-downwind foot (this would be left foot going out last) in order to keep the right shoulder a little high/present to the relative wind when exiting a left-side door. Has something changed???? You are making my hair hurt! I can't imagine really thinking about it that much after the first few jumps. Just keep it simple and be at one with the wind...... Dano

Keep it simple. As you dive out, just present your chest to the prop blast and then gradually turn down to the formation. Once you get the feel for it, you won't have to do that. You can go out many different ways and use your body as a surf board on the prop blast. Dano

Don't forget the Twilite..... Not the best, but it's a room, shower and clean sheets.... Well, it used to be! Nothing like waking up to the sound of a DC-3 in the morning..... Dano

Put me down for at least 3 jumps.... No matter where in Florida. Oh and we used to get 40 + video in the Southern Cross. 12,500 about 20 minutes too. Dano

LookMa Wedge Mudflap Alti-Mount for me on the left side. It is out of the way, always there when I need to look and I don't worry about forgetting it. I've been using it for as long as I can remember and never had a problem seeing it or my handle. For me, a wrist mount is in the way and just one more thing to be concerned about. After several 1,000 jumps, I really don't spend a lot of time looking at my altimeter. I have it when I need it, but mostly rely on an audible and my eyes. Oh, and I know Frank, who maked the LookMa and he's a super guy who skydives and manufactures many great quality products. Dano

"I don't think personally that the seat belt will help much in a (MAJOR) accident, but it might keep the bodies from all ending up in one small spot. Maybe make it easier for the EMS to locate everyone or if it just a slight bump ( is that possible?) keep everyone from landing up on top of one person. Wow, I accidental leave out one word and it just keeps on coming.......! Of course it will help and make a difference in a non fatal, minor accident. As I said, I always wear one and it is so ingrained that I generally reach for one on my motorcycle. Dano

That's a nice looking bike. About 6 months ago I got a new BMW K1600GTL. About the same horsepower, but slightly more weight! Rained the day I brought her home! Dano

I’m reminded of the following joke: Jesus is playing a round of golf and after whacking the ball into the water after a ridiculously long drive, is seen by the following foursome walking on top of the water to get his ball. One member of the foursome remarks to the other, “Who does he think he is, Jesus Christ?” “No” the other says, “He IS Jesus Christ; he thinks he’s Arnold Palmer!” Dano

They all work. Just don't get one that is too big to carry full, because the vacuum principal will go into effect. Separate inside and outside compartments are nice for organizing. Amortized over the 10 years or so that you will use it, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive is just a few dollars a year. Vacuum Principal: All spaces will get filled + just a little more! Dano

Like I said, if you are hot, it doesen't matter what you wear! If you aren't, wearing cowboy boots won't make you so.... Dano

If she is hot, it doesn't matter what she wears! If she not cowboy boots won't make her so. Kinda like smoking.... I can't stand it normally, but if she is really hot, I can ignore it! If she's not, then well, you get it............ Dano

I'm sorry your gear was stolen. Hopefully someone will learn from your loss. Generally flying from the US, the international carriers are more service oriented. The US airlines generally treat us like cattle and with the governments approval, provide limited service except to get you from point A to point B now in their words, " please shut up!" I fly with gear, but never check a parachute. I alway carry it alone in a seperat bag that can be easily opened by TSA. Dano

mea maxima culpa mea maxima culpa mea maxima culpa mea maxima culpa and a few hail mary's........ ok? Dano