danornan

I wear a Silky" liner between me and my motorcycle helmet. Haven't tried it skydiving, but you might want to give it a try. I keep two and throw one into the wash every week or so. Dano

I don't really want another T-shirt..... Dano

Contact Chuting Star and let them handle it. They will do a very through 3 page inspection for the buyer and act as a middle person. I used them recently and both parties were very pleased with the transaction. My guess is that any reliable dealer can do the same. Dano

Maybe you ARE a firearm skygod. But the funny thing is that not a single one of the gun owners who posts here admits to being anything but a firearm skygod. DZ.COM must be the Lake Wobegon of guns. So where are all the below average gun owners? I guess they're in the police, or firearms instructors who shoot themselves. My limited exposure to the confluence of firearms and skydiving indicates that, in general, the skydivers who are not extremely competent with firearms are those that eschew them entirely. Our population includes an inordinate number of Special Ops, Law Enforcement, and other heavily trained personnel. I know quite a few Class III manufacturers, dealers and licensees as well. The number of active participants in Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun Competition is much higher than in the general population, and the level of technical expertise regarding shooting tends to be in the top 10% of people who show up for any class I have taught. If you show up at a DZ with anything from a BB gun to a 16 inch naval rifle, dollars to donuts says there will be someone there who not only knows how to use it, but can use it supremely well. The skydiving community may be a lot of things, but it is not, and likely will never be, reflective of the population at large. An unusual level of competence with firearms (again, among those who do not routinely avoid them) is typical of skydivers. BSBD, Winsor An interesting thing happened at Z-Hills, in the late 80's early 90's when a young lady skydiver came racing up to the DZ, jumped out of her car and said to a bunch of skydivers that she was being chased down the road by some idiot with a gun. Almost immediately, at least a dozen or so skydivers ran to their cars, came back with guns and aimed them at the intruder as he came down the road. (at least as I remember!) He quickly skidded to a stop and went back the way he came in and all the guns were put away. I didn't realize at the time how many were carrying.... I don't think any shots were fired. Dano

Thanks to Mike, Sue and his family for completing this magnanimous act. What a way to be remembered and what class! Maybe the bickering can be taken to another thread and eliminated from here by the mods? Dano

I watched a guy in a similar situation last year with line twists, kick so hard his line twists eventually came out and then went right back, but in the opposite direction. I was above him and then watched him chop. You did the right thing.. Dano

First step is to work with your instructor and local DZ/shop. They know you and can help you with the fit. There are not a lot of real differences between containers. If you are "normal" size, and can get a proper fit, a used container is probably best to start. If it's at all possible, work on it locally. Just starting out in skydiving, the internet is the last place to look for advise or something that you depend on to save your life. Dano

Like most things in life, "Supply vs. Demand." Dano

That's what is so dangerous about hypoxia. You don't notice what's happening. Even after the fact. Unless you are tested during the event, you probably are not a good judge of whether or not you were affected. Key point! Hypoxia and it effects can change too. YOUR physiology is also key. Do you smoke? Overweight? Age? all can effect it and it can change from time to time. What was OK today might not be OK tomorrow. Airplane goes around? There are also situations where you get no feedback or symptoms. Your first sign is your buddy telling you that you just passed out and you don't remember it. Best to follow the recommendations (there is a reason) and not be in denial. Watch your buddy and don't play macho man... Dano

We said good by to Mark yesterday, 1/17, with most of his family watching his brother Steve, release Mark's ashes to the Blue on Steve's first tandem skydive. Steve, Gary and Chris, Mark's brothers were at the DZ along with Diane, his sister in law. Lots of nieces, nephews, family members and skydiving buddies were also there for the day. It was so bitter sweet. Two of Mark's nephews also made tandem jumps. Today 1/18, more of Mark's skydiving friends will remember all of the great times we shared with mark with another release of his ashes to one of his favorite spot on earth!! Mark was one of my best friends and added so much to my life. He'll be with me on all of my skydives and will never be forgotten. Dano

They look silly! I saw someone "smoking" one last night at a local bar is it just looked funny. They seemed to be trying to look serious and it really came of as comical... I don't smoke so maybe it's just me! Dano

Way too many great things have happened over the years and great people in the sport are just too many to just mention one, but..... Wife used to pack for me before she did her first tandem.... and oh that was sweet!! Damn my friends who talked her into that first jump.... Dano

I'm not replying to anyone in particular, and maybe it's my age, .... I just don't understand why after the canopy opens, anyone would want to get down to the ground quicker. I love flying my canopy and if it didn't cut into my free-fall time, I'd prefer to open higher for a longer canopy ride. I don't swoop and try to be in a predictable landing pattern, so maybe that's the reason? Dano

I was handed a yellow card while in the line at TSA and it was like a "Get Out of Jail Card" last weekend. I did not have to takes any thing off or remove shoes, placed my back pack in a tray (unopened with a lap top and cell phone inside) and walked through without a scan! Must be a new get friendly policy.. Very nice. Dano

Might want to skip the Hydrogen Peroxide, unless it's diluted and supervised. It tends to destroy good tissue too. Not recommended by most anymore. Dano

Of course not... The guys on bikes are cowards and only act that way in a pack. They do deserve to have their bikes taken away and serve time in jail, alone with Bubba! They were guilty of harassment and possible assault. They don't deserve to keep their motorcycle endorsement either. Just a bunch of bullies. Dano

As we all have opinions, after 25+ years of skydiving and several "saves" with an RSL, one with a demo skyhook, I sold my last rig and ordered a new one with a skyhook. I would not want to jump without one! My last "save' involved a wrap and cut away way too low and unintentional. Many on the ground said I would not be writing this if it were not for the skyhook. Just my .02 Dano

I had a similar ( each one is different!) accident 12 years ago at 50 and was told that in 5 years I might need a knee replacement. In two years I had 5 operations and lots of PT. I jump more now then before my accident and try to swim 3-4 times a week for about an hour as PT. I don't run and am still on my original knee. Very little discomfort. Dano

I watched someone below me kick so hard out of line twists that he spun it right back up the opposite direction and had to chop. Kicking too hard can have the opposite effect. Dano

I use this for Z-Hills: http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KVDF&state=FL Plug in your locals for a pretty good idea of what is coming... Calling the DZ is a waste of time.... They are always jumping! Dano

I highly recommend Chutingstar. I used them last month to facilitate a sale and they were extremely helpful. They did a through inspection of the rig that I was selling and held on to it until I had the money. It was very simple and both partied benefited. Dano

The problem is the mixed message. She said that she did not want to go "all the way" but then proceeded to make out. When is no yes and yes no? As Mark said though, she is under age and it could very likely be labeled statutory rape. Dano

It's never a good idea to jump without a chest strap.... or one that is mis-routed or not attached correctly. But, that being said, unless you have a really bad opening or bad body position, you are not going to fall out of your parachute if the chest strap is either mis-routed or just not attached. Once more, it's never a good idea, and I always check mine and as many around me as possible before boarding. Quite a few years ago, I simply ran the chest strap over the buckle and for some odd reason looped it through the elastic keeper. No one caught it and my first indication of a problem was after opening, a missing altimeter that was on my chest strap, before I got on the airplane. I'm not the first and surely won't be the last to do this and I do appreciate your "there I was story" in hopes that it will prevent someone else from being careless. Dano

If your goal is to make the LZ safer, then it must be a predictable place for everyone. They can be done safely ( a relative term!) in a separate area or announced ahead of time in the LZ. Dano

You sound like me when I get stuck in traffic behind an accident! My wife reminds me that I'm not in the accident and that I'll get home, just a little later! The victim isn't going home.... Dano