Ms.sofaking

,admitedly all my jumps are freefly for which the skill to BR whilst tracking can be literally lifesaving imo.*** I agree.So I see no reason not to have this life saving skill in your bag of tricks. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Now if USPA would just cover my butt after sailing through a $20,000 plate glass window on a BASE jump I'd be more willing to pony up . . .*** Now that's the type of insurance I'd like to see.Although if you find a building with a $20,000 plate glass window to sail through, you'll need a hell of a lot of insurance just to put you back together. I don't really think of insurance when it comes to my USPA membership.I think of the roll they play as liaison between us and the FAA.Hopefully keeping them from regulating us to much. Oh, and my subscription to parachutist! "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I constantly seek the advice of long time jumpers of any discipline. This practice I learned from a man with 25 years of experience. And through years of my own experience I will develop my own style and practices.The experience of others is all I have to learn from now.But, when the experienced jumpers differ in opinion the best I can do is educate myself and make my own descision, based on the knowledge I gather from more than one experienced jumper. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I don't disagree with you.But, don't you think it becomes 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other?You either BR and miss seeing the guy below.Or, don't BR and don't see the guy above. My choice will still be to try and develop this skill.And perhaps there will be times and places to use it or not.I still know it is a skill I want to possess, before I move on to things such as free flying. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

If we are comparing apples to apples, I think any problems people have with USPA will be found elsewhere too.I think we, as a skydiving community, are better off to address the issues we may have with USPA.And work with USPA to create something we are happier with.I don't think if there is a problem we should abandon USPA as a whole.USPA is or should be capable of evolving with the changing needs of it's members. I, however, am new to the sport.My vote may be an ignorant one. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks, but my question was would this other insurance cover these? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

$50,000 in property/physical damage *** By "physical" are you referring to medical? And would this also cover yourself? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

You got me there. But, I'm a long way from even being able to do this.Who knows what my opinion will be at that experience level?But, I still say it just makes sense. If you're proficient at tracking and BRs, you should have a basic idea of where people below you are, while you are on your belly, before your BR, shouldn't you? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Not replying to anyone specific. I currently suck at barrel rolls.But, I am working on this as well as tracking.I want to get proficient at BRs for this exact reason.The man who was coaching me did this.It makes sense to me. And I was suprised how many people don't BR during track.He taught me not to be dependant on others seeing me.I want to track and barrel roll well before any other skill. And I hope I never say "sorry about that collision, I was blinded by the sun in that mirror." "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I have 4 children in my life who lost a father to BASE.He skydived for 25 years. I still jump.I still drive a car.I still leave my house. They grieve tremendously for him.No more or less than they would if they lost him in any other way.But, the lesson they learned from him, was not to hide from life, but embrace it.Live every moment of it.It is brief and finite, and you only get one.They are not angry with how he lived.They admire it.Your life could end at any time in many ways.Life in and of itself is a risk.I want my children to live it. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

[ Do you think if you don't know what we call Ram-air, square, and brakes in the English language you will die?If so, those are the same words we use. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I would say it depends on your finances.Renting gear can get pretty expensive at some DZs.If you buy gear you don't think you'll have for long. Consider the resale value.Sometimes times spending a little more can be worth it if you can sell it for the same or slightly less than you paid for it.That was the advice I got. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks.I have a friend looking for a spectre, I told her I thought I had heard the Pilot was similar.I'll let her know it's not. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I've heard good things about the Pilot.But, I thought this canopy was very similar to a Spectre.Is that not true? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I not only have been advised to have prior proper canopy experience.But have heard suggestions that a balloon jump is not a bad idea.Just to get the feel of a subterminal jump.After my balloon jump I can say I'd like a couple more.I did go head low and was glad it wasn't a BASE jump.Why not learn at a safe altitude? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Do you think 3 static lines is experience? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

So people that are making BASE jumps prior to skydiving, are they just doing it through a mentor? Because I thought any reputable jump course recommends xxx amount of skydives before BASE? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I am curious what people think about this too. My husband met a girl at the Perrine making her first BASE with no skydives.I personally have been waiting to BASE jump until I can accurately land my canopy from 3000' before I have to at 200'.Plus I don't want to be learning how to fly a canopy and how to deal with a malfunction simultaneously 100-200' above the ground.It sounds foolish to me. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Thanks!Makes perfect sense.I've not seen one like that.Sorry to clutter the thread with my ignorance. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

You were right.I was thinking ripcord.No wonder I didn't understand.So pulling the bridle is what pulls the pin instead of the PC? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Doesn't a pull out always have a spring loaded PC? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Zero-P canopies will stick together into a brick if left packed for long periods of time.*** I have the same issue.Can you define"long periods of time"? "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

Especially if you need to be on the radio. Seriously I don't understand that logic.If you need 20 more jumps on a certain size.With 20 or even 50 jumps you should be able to sell the canopy for close if not exactly what you paid for it.So you really aren't out anything but some time.And then if you needed more jumps on it, well then it's a good thing you bought that size to begin with. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I have jumped a rig with the chest strap above and below.Below is far more comfortable.When I ordered my Quasar they asked gender because they said they put female chest straps lower.I got it, and the chest strap goes right over them.I was so disappointed.It is very uncomfortable.I guess I'm stuck with it to.I thought I was the only one who had such an issue with this. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas

I find new jumpers tend to downsize to quickly because they purchase a canopy with future plans instead of present skill.If you're skills are only ready for a 170 people will often say "you'll get bored with that".Or "you'll be ready for a 150 in 20 more jumps".So now someone new is making a major purchase.They end up buying a canopy they aren't ready for now, in hopes they soon will be.Or find a deal on one they are almost ready for.IMO that is a mistake.And one that seems to be encouraged. "I'm not sure how it's going to turn out, except I'll die in the end, she said. So what could really go wrong? -----Brian Andreas