Hi Kelly, Welcome. I'm also new (10 SL progression jumps) and had (still have) the same fear re entanglement with lines etc which is possible with unstable openings (us students don't have camera sights, screws, etc to worry about). I respect the experienced skydivers at our DZ for not only having vast experience (many 5000+ jumps) but on their always being willing to share. I started by printing out and read every article on this valuable website and all the fatalities and incidents i could lay my hands on. This gives you a very good foundation and understanding. Lowturns by far hurt many experienced skydivers. Collisions also feature but with our busses we should steer clear from pro area. Violent spins with small canopies is also some way off for us. On every jump I am nervous in a controlled way rehearsing emergency procedure, etc. On my first 3sec freefall i looked down whilst pulling which dropped a shoulder and induced my body to turn whilst my main was opening. Result = some line twists but not unstable opening. Next 5 sec ff i backflipped but recovered (instinctively) for a stable opening on time. My friend on his 3 sec opened whilst on his back and everything went great but it is possible to have a series of cock-up's if unstable. I have now decided after a long talk (via mail) with a very senior skydiver to go the AFF route to ensure i have stability every time or recover quickly should i not be stable for some reason. He says do not try doing all things right - practice not doing anything wrong (-: It's your life so be sure you are informed. B S D
