gimpboogie

Ist test flight of my new gear. giving her the gears trying to trash her a bit was the purpose of this flight.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwOzDgPDfXc she flies well, has an AAD ASTRA, and is now ready to keep flying. Winter diving, is going to be attempted here.... and its happening, slowly on warmer days with still a lot of prep work. winter diving as a paraplegic is VERY DIFFERENT then summer diving. 1) OFF DZ LANDINGS COULD KILL FROM EXPOSURE. if I land off by far, it could take 1 to 3 hrs before my DZ can get to me, to get me out. Preparing to stay warm upon landing is the key here. I jump with extremely warm clothing to begin with, and focus on the lower extremities for warmth-i cant tell how cold exactly my body is getting-when it is cold. that is a big concern to watch for in the winter. my jumping kit-yes, i must jump with some -gear- regardless of this not being a typical recommendation for students. i must always have a cell phone, hot packs that you squeeze to make them warm, a solar blanket and two large black garbage bags. My procedure for landing off DZ. Which i have never had to use-yet. but this is what i would do. This is NOT A MANUAL OR RECOMMENDATIONS, but rather sharing what I do... if it gives you some ideas to think on..great. UPON LANDING: 1) Call my DZ, tell them where I am. my compass coordinates will help, and I have a Suunto watch with alti, n compass. My cell also has the GPS locator function turned ON, so if i am seriously lost or injured, i can be found by EMS personnel.. make sure you cell has this function turned on, if you have it. 2) stay dry and warm as much as possible. immediately on landing, after checking i am ok, place canopy in one large black garbage bag and tie it closed with twist ties. Place container in the other black bag n tie it closed. This will keep my gear from soaking in the moisture from the snow, AND provides a larger black target to look for me. 3) crack open the warmth packs, place one in each boot, each mitt, under helmet to keep head warm and if i have extra keep them incase people cannot find me soon. 4) IF I can see i am in a location where it will take a while to get to me, take out the solar blanket, and cover myself with it. Also, if there is blowing snow, cover myself with it regardless.. it will be a better reflective target to look for me and keeps the snow from blowing over me. try to stay small, to preserve body heat. Typically in the summer, I would want to stay large-(and my garbage bags should be orange not green or black) but now i would stay small for heat conservation and leave the spotting aid to the black bags and reflection off the solar blanket. Also, I NEVER GET ON 1ST OR LAST LOAD. I want to watch the first couple of loads to see how the winds behave, at different levels etc. I also never want to be in the last load, for sundown comes fast and reflective blankets, lights or not, if I land off DZ, i am in potential life threatening situation by being out there somewhere in the dark and not be able to get up and walk to a road. I hope some of that made sense, to all jumpers in the winter and those with ANY mobility issues I hope you come up with a clear and concise safety plan for winter jumping, and share it with your fellow jumpers, DZO and instructors so every one knows your plan. stay safe, have fun and jump in the winter! you fly faster the air is cooler! as an addition IF I EVER was to find myself out there when it got dark, I would hope i remembered to bring my green glow sticks and flashing LED head lamp. The green helps spotters see distinguish me from cars or stationary lights from houses, and the flashing steady location light -me- hopefully helps to distinguish me from moving vehicles with flashers.. Im not sure what else would help, but my main concern would be to be seen from afar, -good light weight light- and be easier to distinguished from other objects. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

lol, persistance-thats a polite way to put it usually they just say stubborn. big ways. that is so far up the ladder for me, and with my medical condition i do not think i will see that. i know i can jump this winter, providing it is a place that i can tolerate being in, winter jumping up here at pst is a bit scetzy when we have to worry about -20c plus wind chill.... big ways that is impressive for sure. and lots of practice discipline and that determination so.. i do have the confidence that you can do it, as other goals you set for yourself. i noticed with Angus, he kept his love for the sport as his primary objective when he was jumping for fun and not work..and at work he is the most professional one ive met-as in safe, knows what he is doing, and -well is epic-as my daughter determines he is- his fun jumps focus on the bigger formations, and other FF fun, but while landing he doenst come in like a screaming deamon, although i know he could-better then anyone other then randy. so..i guess the lesson there is to stick to doing what you know you can... and focus on that discipline-sure learn the rest, canopy control, accuracy etc.but focussing on your main love for the sport, seems to help in keeping those who dive for long time-doing so. 29 yrs is a long time. big ways, if i was of the position in my life, that i could participate in big ways, then i would work towards it. i had one jump with another very accomplished jumper and my coach. my job was to do 360 circles, dock, circle around the other way to dock again and break off at 6,000 . it was one of the most memorable-important jumps of my life. alone with my wakep-funeral we had the other week, (i figured, hey, if im going to pay for the party, i will be there to party with them-so Nov 1st was my -dead mans party- and the most important guest, arrived-and put himself through a lot of trouble and sleepless nights to make it happen. that is true love for not only the sport, but the people. his last jump of the season was with me 0his 400th this season- and his 1st jumps of the season were with me also-thats cool. so now that my funeral is over and done with.... (thanks to my special gues who arrived-was there-you will always be in my heart -for everything Angus). now, i go out there and learn some safety skills, learning how to turn as the canopy opens, with it, if it is twisted is just a safety skill as far as im concerned-even if my log book states ;excellent door position, excellent arch, exited backwards, watching opening; a little strange to do a èblind man out the door- but yah... i focus on some safety skills, accuracy is the name of the game for me. and preparedness for a lower altitude dive. because i dont have a lot of time left for a reserve ride if i end up out the door at 3 grand. almost better to have all canopies packed like reserves, and learn quick toggle grab on openings, watching opening sequence to be able to stay with the canopy-on heading to it-and on toggles to turn asap... just skills i can try to work on for now.... peters rig is here and jumping it will happen soon, got to get an AAD for it first-but have some feedback-very positive from one of our instructors who did a hop n pop so, even though flocking, big ways and swooping are out for me... it matters not accuracy is fun and low altitude jumps cant be beat. by anything other then freeflying- for me To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

ne 2.arched too much, so legs were coming more forward (towards a movement of lifting knees up towards body) and not giving a good head down. that was due to the way iu had strapped on my leg straps. being self supervised, ive done two mistakes-one critical-left my AAD OFF, DZO did a gear check (after an instructo5r allready did one also-so we both missed the AAD being off)m DZO boticed-and now I have a strict routine for AAD ON check during my gear check-once is not enough-to check it-i will check it as often as i need to-to remember that i did-so.,... yah head down takes a lot more prep. work from the skydiver then typical head down with able bodied divers. my leg straps were ok the next two dives, and the one turned out to be a great-long head down eating up over 4,000f of altitude-before carvng out of it-and it was all head down.. no slipping off that time. it's a skill i do not expect to have as one used often, but certainly want to know how it works-basically-literally if i fall out of the plane without a door-i do not want to end up head down and not know what to do-or how to do it at all. yah, i need warm places. one that is kid friendly enough that my 15 yr old-a wise girl who has no problem sitting in the car instead of hanging out with people she dont want to hang out with... so.. she needs a place that is respectable during the days and nghts id like to take her out of there-as well as some days send her to shop or do something. warm place, and comforts for my daughter-i can otherwise go live in a tent on a dz if it was just me,. wany suggestions for warm places to jump this winter, and ones affordeable (hotels and such are out of our league-we will bus it, or use train to get there and public transit once there-) ; let me know, i think the gimp FF tour needs to start by training with a goal in mind, for the future and someone like Dale can take over and go to the olympic opening ceremonies demo jump \ but in the meantime, someone has to be training, to keep it going... so i will train for some accuracy jumps. been looking at a lot of training camps, most are geazared to either FF skills, RW skills or something special like flocking.... so also looking for some good and experienced accuracy canopy piots. pure accuracy. i better leave the swooping to those with 1000's of jumps To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

thereès a few guys at Bridge day usually yearly doing a jump-paralyzed guys that is i was registerered as jumper # 417 for Bridge day but some sh*tty things happened re: ride there and such...so I ended up giving my ticket to someone else... would have been nice to get the shirt.. for the $ i spent, but what can i do... its over now. lots of place to jump from without travelling to Bridge Day. it would have been nice to jump with Lonnie there.... but the way it looks now, I think I am going to finish the tour of all the Antennas in my area alone... since that was pretty much my only chance to travel to the USA, and well... asides from skydiving which i have to travel 4 hrs one way... there are 8 antennas accessible right here in my town. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

o,, so im used to this nose feeding tube. the IV comes and goes. (currently on again). learnt to jump with the nose tube, funny thing is, it withstands head down terminal speeds but when i am asleep, ive pulled it out by accident. sp yes, head down, did three of those. the 1st one, things were great, and it sort of did not work for many seconds because i had positioned the leg straps too low, not permitting my legs to go completely straight-which is what they needed to be for the head down portion of the FF, 2nd time i had leg straps correct, but i think my legs themselves -or...- caused the head down to sort of start carving out of it, then with correction another 3 secs or so was gained back in head down before carving like a plane -felt like i imagine a turn to be like in delta position... then stability, and tyime for more excercises before deployment @ 5,500f... its been a good season diving, despite the crazy medical situations-most so insanely disgusting i wouldnt share them here... but, now ive got Peter Hewittès beautifully kept, almost NEW (110 jumps on main, n no reserve rides), with some sweet mods! so... jumping i need to do... this winter, till i find a way to escape to a warmer US or Mexican DZ, i will battle cold at PST, and when i can find a place warm enough i can sleep in a tent @ DZ, when i go on a family trip, with my daughter there, to live out a couple of months n jump n see local area for some homeschooling for my daughter... something like that. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

ooops stup*d me, didnt go see the youtube video of the off DZ landing -sorry for the video comment (clearly there were plenty of media present at the DZ) aboput the landing Dale. Sure was a media splash there OK, so tell us anyways about the landing. I'm still very interested to learn. & now understand why there were no video of it.-sorry -dont worry-it will come. Like I said once today: " Dale's done it! "The 1st Paraplegic to Jump" into a media sensation/splash. Surely his off DZ landing was safe (he looked well) and he propably did not have the advantage of Peter Hewitt, Lonnie Bissionettte, Russell and I, having Tonto, Angus, Fuzzy, and the likes of the McCarty brothers helping with the accuracy. Good media splash Dale! ;) Good show for the paraplegic community, OK you will be the guy to jump into the Paralympics, you definitely have the personality to do it. I think people like I, need to stick to jumping off more soletary situations/places... and folks like you and Dale do the media splash parts

Dale, Sorry for the short reply last time. had some health stuff here going on. Yes I saw the 'up n down' movement of your legs towards the end of your FF (they either were not visible easily enough to me prior to that OR they were more stable-which is a possibility ofcourse- as for me, the first 5,000f or so were fine -I jumped from 13,500 and by 7,000 I had more and more backsliding due to leg bending at the knees-which you wont have trouble with due to your well made braces-very smart idea in how you made them Dale.) Anyways,.. my 1st AFF showed NO problems (except that I held the pilot chute too long which IS a big enough problem) but what I mean is that no visible or noticable or even 'felt' difficulties with the whole FF until we eliminated the one instructor and then we started to see the issues. SO, lets hope that the leg movement you experienced will be helped with the excersices you plan-very important-to get on the floor daily several times and stretch those hips, legs, prferrably get advice from physio on how to do it for you... so you will be doing it well but not damaging muscles... but im sure you know this allready-being a wheelie is not too new for you anymore-you are very well adjusted and intelligent young man. I wonder IF the type of crotch panel Peter and I use helped with keeping our legs from doing that motion(not sure why, because I never had that movement-which again shows how different we all are). I hope your landings can be video'd. I know it is difficult for they do not necessarily know where your going and do not want to get in your way.... but it was hard to see how your landing was. it looked like an quick stop (like a nice stand up landing would look like from that distance-lol) but tell us, how did it feel, how did it work.. did you slide on the ground long or did you drop and stop more like? sorry, I am very interested in your progression. because it is important due to the obvious differences we allready see between you and I, as well as perhaps Peter, you and I also. And Lonnie, I have seen him jump and I know how he lands whcih is diferent from me also... so anyways... it would be important to document this stuff for future use of anyone who wants to try this journey. Well done Dale, nice jump, and welcome again back to the blue skies. Much wishes for your success in your goal for Christmas! To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

yes a nice video on this link http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v330/DazzaD/?action=view¤t=Produce_1.flv tell me, is that hip/leg thing what you mentioned at about 52 secsinot To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

SERIOUSLY this is totally awesome, and HUgE KUDOS to your instructors for their dedication to helping others skydive, as well as their obviously good training and experience in their jobs. job well done! now, i would think it would be great to have another chapter added to this story... that of the perspective of the instructors involved. how was their experience different then an 'able bodied' (this brings new meaning to that expression!) student to teach.. what did you have to do different from the comparison, and how easy or difficult it was to gain this info (i.e. did they discuss this with other instructors whove taught paras to dive, about what if so, and more. (ooh shit, there comes that tangent again-sorry D) OK, this is VERY ENCOURAGING and definitely gives a huge confidence boost to your project.looking forward to the photos and video.. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

NICE!!!!Dale you ROCK! now life starts again, in being able to have the skies as your 'playground' again, as long as we always give the utmost respect to our other playground-the ground..... lets jump out of flying objects, boogie in the skies, n be merry in the company of the only friends we have whom we can trust with out life (after all, it is what we are doing with each diver, when we get on a load-trusting them to stick to their plan, know what their doing so they dont accidentally kill us) for life's sake! To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

very nice job-well made braces.... lets hope the angle was exactly what you will need.... but seeing your handy to make them yourself-saving TONS of $ to make them. it all looks good... I await the first AFF dive report, and your perspective on what it felt like again, since you've been diving before so you can compare this to then.... i would find that interesting. you, peter, n Lonnie would be excellent for the consideration of writing up a 'booklet' on info for the skydiver, what this all feels like (what is different from when you were diving with full body control) now compared to them. I think that info would be useful to others teaching this to new paralyzed skydivers-ones who never did dive prior to paralysis. i don't know, maybe im wrong, but it seems like important info to gather, and record (and Lonnie n Russell, n Peter IF you READ this please consider writing up `memoirsénotes on what you feel is different for you now, and what you do to `compensate`=alter your skydiving methods-approach now after paralysis. ok enough of that tangent. i`ve been very cautions about being `encouraging` for other wheelies to go out there and dive, but also deep inside wish there could be a `team` of us paras n quads even skydiving to promote awareness, the `90% is mental`` part of our sport- and to be an example to others to wanting to learn and wanting to teach-that IS an issue-finding instructors-and those who say no are respected competely as same as those who say sure lets try it. We in a way are the pioneers, perhaps Lonnie being the òldest`in the sport-(most dives pre paralysis, as well as yrs in parachuting sports) and then others coming on board (Peter, Russell,someone next-i dont know who)... but regardless, this group whom is alive and well now, diving and are paralyzed, i think are the largest / historically and perhaps most diverse in experience and other ways. So, this is why, I am reluctant to say quickly `yah go out there and dive, kus we all can do it so lets shove ourselves into the sport `.. no no no. i want to encourage individuals to follow their dreams. learn, be safe, find helpers-instructors-mentors with experience and excellent safety records... and if skydiving is the persons passion, ìf they want it bad enough they will find a way to make it happen`.. it will fit together-as it seems to be doing for you-i am glad of that... i was nervous admittedly at first until i learned and understood your past flying and diving experiences completely and the elaboration on the measures taken to maintain your safety as well as instructors... -that was a big important factor here i think we must not forget... your progression perhaps will be faster then mine is.. along the lines of Peter... lets hope so.. then you will be flying very soon on your own! again... if those braces work `perfectly`` for the angle then i would encourage you to elaborate on your pants a bit... i think you can make this happen. i`ve wanted to get a pair of pants that has inserts at the waist down to butt and back n sides of legs with that stuff they put in world cup giant slalom skiers (now THAT takes balls! I`d rather skydive blind folded guided by radio then become a missile that close to land ).. it is soft and pliable at all times excapt during quick impact -like meeting the ground suddenly - then it becomes rock hard and protects the individual as if they were kevlar-carbon fibre=something hard core- to protect the indivual falling. do not know the name of the stuff but do know it is fairly recent-less then 10 yrs - addition to olympic skiers etc. hope you know what i mean. so, i think the `cat`s ass` for gimp diving pants would be that stuff in them to keep the pants moving freely when needed but the second you hit something hard they protect you like the most fierce armour could. you are crafty enough to do that, if you can find a wholesaler of that product. thanks for sharing such detailed info on what your doing, i should start documenting this all, as in, the various types-ways of pants we each fly with-since each of our pants are a bit different then the others, and our leg straps to lift are different, and who knows what else,-perhaps the way we each fly, what we do with our bodies to accomplish what we do, and then describing our `limitations`so in the future other students and instructors could over such material, and see what fits best to their situation and have options for things such as the way the braces are used -or not- etc. ok rambling lots now, sorry.. get a bit excited when i start to think of a new project. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

EXCELLENT DALE! Welcome to the club, as Lonnie says. Good that you and Peter have hooked up, and talking about that future dream for paraplegic skydivers.... that accuracy jump to the opening ceremonies. I am excited for you Dale that was great leg position in FF, To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

D:), Youir allready putting my heart at ease. OK, I am MUCH more comfortable now... that I get a bit concrete picture of what is happening... has happened... and potentially happen. 1) Excellent that you've got the Australian association behind you.. kudos to them and you.. I would never doudt their desicions. So that helps me feel better allready. 2) your experience as a jump pilot I knew of, and the military service.. but when you told all this.. it shows a bit more then 'jump pilot' )(I know there are all kinds.. and.. well... lets leave it at that.. ) and the flying you have done is a bit more technically advanced then my initial impression.. as well as your parachuting experience. I would say from what you share, you are like Lonnie, or Russell or Peter, or Dana in what you know of parachutes.. in that you all know your stuff. That also helps me feel better. I feel a certain responsibility... for sharing openly what I am doing here.... and someone taking it step by step and doing it... and not having the experiences in life as you have had. i would feel a deeep disturbance if anything happened to any paraplegic skydiving and or base jumping at all.... as i would wonder if there was anything i could have said. now i have said it all to you.. and your replies tell me you are a calculating guy, and have this figured out in your head. that all leaves me at ease. thanks a great deal D for writing. I support your efforts, and do believe you will fly.. again. i do not see an obvious obstacle to it... go with the flow... let the instincts and advice of other experienced divers help guide you and yah... ok perhaps it will be you... who will jump accuracy into the paralympic opening ceremonies 2012 UK. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

sorry if it all sounds discouraging, serious and non-supportive. I do not mean those things.,,,,, propably my own journey right now for the next month of jumps is colouring my perspective (stressing the safety, seriousneses and potential death) BUT IT ISNT a bad thing... better then telling you to go on and have fun, jump out the first plane you find, and do whatever comes to mind next... I know you know about skydiving, that helps you tons. i think it can also give a false sense of security. until you go down the path, you wont know how your body responds. the harness tests, wind tunnel and even my first few AFF's (not to mention the 12 tandem progression) did not reveal to me that I had trouble reaching the rip cord with my right hand. my rig needs to be modified to left hand pull. I discovered after it all. the tandem instructor's presence disquised the amount of body twist I was doing to pull, or else we used a leg mounted system-which worked always perfectly... others took me up to 1000f to find the rip cord! Then, during the AFF's with two instructors, the presence of the one on my left, helped to mask how much I was pitching to the left-twisting.. until we went to one AFF instructor, and a lighter weight guy then I, to see how I would flip myself around. It was ONLY THEN that I started to scrutinize the videos (ooh yes.. get as much videos.. that would cost you lots unless you have a vidiot for a friend... i mean it.. that is where it helps to be a part of the DZ life. to bring your cases of beer for your firsts of everything, to celebrate others accomplishements, help others in their time of need... i seen a guy wanting to do a special jump for survoiving a stroke, he had no $ for the video, I asked a vidiot if he would do it for his jump slot and he agreed... it cost the jump slot for this guy to have a memory of the day he celebrated surviving a serious stroke in his 20's.. get in there be a part of the DZ and help where you can... look around and see who is a good flyer, get to talking to them... it is a culture which is so helpful and full of knowledge... and once people see that you are there to stay, they open up and tell you things that will safe your life, give you laughs for the night from stories of old, or help you understand something you wondered about... and become a better skydiver). Once I scrutnized the videos, I could see how the following happened: 1) I got complacent/lazy in my practice pulls as well as the real thing, because I could get away with it under tandem.. it was not noticeable to me, and propably not to the TM either since they are used to novices for their first ride who have no idea what their doing anyways.. 2) I got sloppy with reaching for the right hand BOC. Once I realized I had such trouble doing it, I went to the leg mounted system right away, which masked the fact that I could not actually do it, without really twisting my body(causing the backflips).... and I also did not get the full effect of it with two AFF instructors, with Rick "The planet" on my left side I could have tried to twist myself into a back down position on purpose and he would have kept me stable... again... these things did not present themselves until the second instructor was gone.. despite me having a 29+yrs experience skydiver for an AFF instructor, world record holder,'tracks like a bat' fellow for me, I flipped and he had to catch me... this is told so you understand, and your instructors understand... that yah, this is going to be a different ride then any of you have ever had... and safety is key, and must be stressed over everything else.... and having said that... i think you can do it.... i really do. give it time, take it slow, i know it is murder to wait... i had to... all winter.. i went to the dz and talked to people, sat in on classes, read books, watched videos... waited for my chance to hang in the harness then for the last tandem progression dives, then the wind tunnel.. which was 3 months later then i would have been ready (in my mind -but my instructors FuzzyDave and Angus knew different, and knew when is the best timing to do this all).. i waited and it felt like suicide sometimes to wait. but it paid off. even when I 'failed' the AFF portion, it looked bleak, and i felt like I failed... but now, I fly, alone... and sometimes even with my TM/coach/strap on instructor/Angus, with whom I fly special jumps, FreeFall practice turns, and other interesting things worth mentiuoning but i wont... so dont take my post as serious, and negative, with discouragement. take it as someone who wants to see you flying some day perhaps being a guy who goes in for the accuracy jump at a olympic ceremonies... perhaps meeting all the para skydivers one day in one world meet... perhaps... doing something which is pioneering as a para.. (wing suit flights,, i wonder if any paraplegic has done those), but those will happen if you plan, are serious and calculated, safety conscious and speak to the worlds best in this obscure area of skydiving... there are not many, but they are all worth seeking out. maybe some will come read your post and message you. have fun, learn lots, be safe and keep on passing on your blessings and knowledge to others, -minna

Hi Dale. Great for the enthusiasm, and determination.. both of which you will reguire to hold on to whole heartedly... to go down this flight path. Great that you've got a tandem planned first, and I would expect anyone in our situation trying this, to do so -first before venturing further. The pants are well made you showed me, the strap at the butt of your harness should be in everyones harness I would think... unless it hinders in water landings getting the harness off.. *I would guess not*. I would strongly suggest contacting some of the people whom you are thinking of, world wide. Some such as Peter whom you mentioned have been instrumental in getting me off the ground. And continues to be so. Peter Hewitt is one of the 1st pioneers of this. The firstr solo student planned so soon after one tandem worries me -I did tandem progression after my 1st tandem.. which means I was learning the skills while the tandem instructor gave more and more control to me.. but he was there to save our life if I screwed up-kus he dont want to die!. Not much worries me... so let that mean something. If you cannot get to a wind tunnel before trying a solo, (I hope it is an AFF/PFF not static line or IAD?because it if's not, reconsider again please). There are others.. Lonnie, and some more.. not many.. with your level or lower in paralysis. As you mentioned, we are all so different, so even the experience of another T10 will not be the same as yours. Your previous interest, experience and info on parachuting will definitely help. but do not let it deter you from the safer road.... and you will fly long and happy... instead of happy but... short. We can't bounce buddy.... because of our disability-i.e. lack of training in our situation, or improper assumptions of ourselves.. we must be more careful then a 'typical' skydiver because our instructors must teach us different then a 'typical' skydiver.. -we are 'different'.. and we can't get away from that. sad to say it, but reality speaks. If we bounce, someone is immediately going to ask "why were they up there in the first place, they can't walk!?" Which will hinder the progress of others after us. Worse, the scrutiny our DZ's, instructors and friends face is not right for them. And rightfully so, I would add. It is a question that would have to be determined in an inquiry.(sorry if I am a bit to serious,... but it is serious as hell for you and I, and Peter and others to skydive...it's unlike any other activity/sport-i think-if we screw up n bounce, we most likely WILL die.. sorry, reality slaps like an angry canopy) OK, now to the good part. If there is no wind tunnel, go back to the DZ of your tandem, talk to the instructors... ask them of their approach... obviously one is willing to get into the solo course-so support is there. Then, try to see if you get through tons of emergency procedures practices, (do the first jump course), hang in the harness and respond to every possible situation, exactly the way you would in the air.. even under a good canopy, show how you will hook up your legs, and whatever else you plan to do. Time it all. Test it with a clock altimeter (the DZ should have one). INCREASE your hard deck by a min. of 1000f, or more then the time it took to get your legs hooked up etc. On static line jumps, my DZ still dispatches me at 5,000f which is about 1,500f higher then others. My hard deck-is determined by my instructor upon watching me under tandem progression to see how long it takes me to locate the DZ locate other skydivers, and set up to the wind to work on my legs.. we determined all that under tandem dives before even doing the AFF's. Then, get more practice on a mock up... a dirt dive... IF going AFF, do creeper dives with the instructor. Yah it all sounds boring, but believe me... it wont be boring when your falling @ 120mph+, tumbling out of balance, trying to look for your rip cord, or a handle.. while your instructor is head down trying to catch you, and putting his neck in danger.... so yah.. lets get through the boring stuff now... and till it gets drilled in your head so well that he can wake you up at night, give you the 'pull now' hand signal and your reaching for that rip cord in your pj's. That should take you a few weekends... oohh yah, and try to get your hands on Brian Germain s books.. Transcending Fear, and Canopy and its Pilot, along with the 5 DVD set from paragear with fly like a pro. Pack like a pro etc. etc. on it. watch it at daily at home, practice those situations (mental training WILL get you ready for it.. .when it happens..) OK, yah I sound like a geek, and so I am... but I want to live doing this stuff... and I want you to live doing this also. We cant bounce buddy.. don't forget that. We owe it to Peter, to Tonto, to Lonnie, to our DZO's and our instructors... everyone who helps along the way... including me. and MOST importantly to yourself. dont bounce! Happy Blue skies, be safe and have fun, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

I'm real happy for you, and watching you come down from your graduating jump (I have a photo of you and the coach walking back from your landing.. both of you look happy)... I'm real proud of you, most specifically for your determination to stick on, and keep at it.... I wish I will have the determination you have. Now, as for that A, B, S, E, stuff (its just B.A.S.E. acronum and propably he was being 'silly' by asking when your going to do your building, span/bridge and earth jumps if you did your a=arial). It matters not, for you've done something that perhaps no one else in your situatioin has accomplished.... I have not heard of it anyways. good on YOU, and keep up this great work.... soon enough you will end up with that B, (and the c.a.s.e. kind) hugs, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

I will go with you proclemation that you were not 'making fun' of people such as myself. I will go with the assumption that you are for paraplegics skydiving-if we can learn how- and the Paralympic movement. It's better staying positive then enveloping all with negativity. OK. Well you actually HAVE something INTERESTING going on in that thought. 1) Skydiving disciplines (such as accuracy, and perhaps free fall style, or even all when I really think of it... the athletes best in the world in their disciplines of skydiving ARE well trained, dedicated athletes to their sport-like Olympians). SHOULD be included in the Olympics=generally. (after all, we are considered a "sport", we are comprised of top level athletes world wide in various disciplines, and the dedicatiuon and training involved in becoming a champion is as difficult of a journey as the Olympic equestrian rider, marathoner, or gymnast.) 2) Paralympic committee should seriously look at having accuracy skydiving in their sports showcased. Accuracy is fairly safe for most, and requires a lot of skill and training, and for a "disabled" individual it may be one of the few disciplines to participate in (I can see some being able to fly accuracy canopies, but not be able to do canopy control distance, accuracy etc. those gates may be impossible for some of us with higher levels of paralysis since they require a lot of body position work under high performance canopies which would be dangerous for us to land=but sliding all of our landings). NOW to the thoughts I've been harbouring. I would like to make a presentation to the Paralympic committee to include a paraplegic jumping into the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics -and the Olympics perhaps- with accuracy landing expected. It would show the world, of "able bodiued" as well as "disabled" that there are things we can do... that others may think not possible.. b ut if we try hard, get the right guidance, and have the luck to be paralyzed in a way that will offer us the use of the muscle groups minimally necessary for skydiving. (clearly not all paraplegics will be able to remain stable in FF for any length of time.. i cannot imagine that we all could end up skydiving just fine if we all tried). The point still being that I had hoped to see it happen in 2012 in London UK. A paraplegic does an accuracy jump to the opening ceremonies.... introducing this idea world wide. I have read of many amputees jumping, and deaf individuals. These skydivers all seem to be doing great, have good skill and mix in well with any skydiving group-with or without limbs. Thanks for bringing up an interesting topic... even if it was thought to be a bit insensitive by some on initial impact. Be well, and be there to give a hand when you see your local DZ with the 'gimps in free fall team" coming by To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

skydiving: one can have an accident, become 'gimped', go in... in life one can get terminally ill, have a sudden life changing moment in other ways-stroke, cancers, kidney failure, alcohol poisonings on and on it goes. Skydiving for me, had some dips there along the way. couldn't stay stable in FF at time to deploy not to flip upside down. luckily it was accepted that I can go on the static line (and since my first 10 secs of FF always were good-exits on heading, arched, etc. only once did he have to tell me adjust body position (*hips down* we knew I can be in FF for a certain amount of time before the backsliding induced by the legs would become enough to start creating issues..., the fact that I physically cant reach behind myself to deploy on the right also certainly was a ... big factor... lol ok, so static lines were great. yah you read it -were. since thelast time i was at the DZ (doing that downwind landing )-and weas so 'fine'.... i've become unable to swallow anything. yes, anything-my own spit i'd rather let it hang out like a dog rather then swallow-but my dignity still has the power to force me to try to swallow it. Last week Friday it had been 10 days that I was able to swallow a total of 1/2 can of liquids-ensure. became so dehydrated that i need to get the nurse to insert a IV 24/7 drip of electrolites and yesterday a feeding tube up my nose (yah brings new meaning to "up yours"! in my vocabulary) I guess I'm not a quitter, and an ididot if I think... maybe i cant static line right now (who am I kidding this sh*t will come off when I've left this corpse that I now drag around). maybe these are too many "snag points" and maybe the IV (it should be gone by the weekend so I will have the nose tube still) or feeding tube can become a safety threat in exit, or deployment. damn -maybe i'm right, and not projecting the worse case scenaruio and this is nothing to stop me from skydiving.... just maybe, my 'fears' are real enough that others would feel them too... perhaps... i will jump with ANgus. I talked to him on the phone at his work, before going to get the tube in.... (not often I call him at work) he said (with sadness in his voice -I'm so sorry ANgus my dear friend for causing you sadness]) "we all knew this was coming" after he first said: "thatIS sad". Sweet Angus n Dave thank you for EVERYTHING you guys made happen.... I'll be at the DZ this weekend kus of skydiving. My friend and video flyer, and a DECENT, smart young man had his brake line torn up.broke on flaring (he slies fiarly highly loaded, and is a good flyer on FF and under canopy-- many skydiving skills he has,., there was not enough time to do anything about it 3 seconds, never mind the 1 second he had, My friend Jeff has a broken femur, titanium is in place now,.... Jeff is on all our minds, for we are family at the DZ at PST. WE are having a party with proceeds going to help jeff (its tough to pay your bills when video flying is your job, n you'll be laid up for months before you can jump-again). well... im here, alive n relkatively well. maybe there is something better for me, this i have to believe staying positive is so much better then to sulk n grieve -I learned that from Chris Colwell. so... until the next "special" jump comes along.... cya, -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

My 'renegade 'friends and I had some tandem formation fun... here's the link to the video (FuzzyDave was the video flyer for this-thanks!) http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=9GfJ9Q8x-88 To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

You are absolutely correct. Angus, having been skydiving for over 20 yrs, took on this project because he said he is up for a challenge, and he cares ``not just wether θlive or die but HOW I¸live`` If it was up to me, I would think Angus (and the others who helped) should receive some recognition for having contributed to this sport in a HUGE way. They truly are pioneers in trying something totally new (As far as I know I am the only person who jumps paralyzed who never did skydive before the paralysis... Lonnie, Russell and Peter all had skydiving experience before their paralysis) I AM extremely fortunate. I know of only Tonto who has taught a paralyzed person to skydive (he taught Peter Hewitt who had 17 skydives before he broke his back skydiving and came a year later to learn with Tonto-Peter now has over 100 skydives-obviously most of them as a paralyzed person) To this day, each time I dive I blow a kiss to Tonto, whom I never had the opportunity to meet or talk to before we lost him (Blue skies for ever Tonto-your my hero!) It may be that one other instructor in the USA is or was willing to try this.. when we went to the wind tunnel in April Angus and I were talking about this. Infact, I agree that it is dangerous to try this (I am thinking specifically of situations such as Chris Colwell from Deland who became paralyzed in an AFF accident -he went head down to catch-save his student.. who was completely able bodied)and Chris became paralyzed chest down as a result. Every time I think of my 3rd AFF dive where I flipped back to ground and Angus was coming to catch me to help flip me over-the look on his face was not just serious.. but concern-worry. That look will always stay with me. I care for Angus and Adam (my DZO) (and the `reputation` of this sport for that matter) much more then I care about me personally skydiving. As someone said, it is bad enough when any skydiver goes in, but it is more alarming to the general public-and the USPA-CSPA etc. if someone like myself bounces. In order to not negatively impact this sport, it is my duty to be as careful as I possibly can. Last time I was at the DZ I was to get on a load, while surely I wanted to go for a dive, I decided against it because I had a headache... I do not want anything to extend the risks... I`ve seem skydivers grab an Advil prior to diving and it is their business but for me, I will not dive unless I feel `perfectly fine`. I promised Angus and Adam this. Angus is truly much more then a coach-AFF instructor-TM etc. to me -he is a person whom I respect deeply, and love dearly (no not that kind of love that I hope to never see him so concerned again-ever. Having said that, I fully believe that some of us para`s are capable of skydiving solo and propably most- (my guess) are not. As it is in my case currently, I do not know if I ever will get off the static line (I`m supposed to do my TTO`s next) and after that surely my DZO and Angus will seriously assess wether I should get off the static line. one of my JM`s said that he is afraid of letting me off the static line -and I do not blame him. As Angus said, that even tandems with paralyzed people are a very different situation then with able bodied individuals, and every JM, TM, coach etc. must seriously consider wether they are willing to take the risk. For the majority surely the answer would be NO. Such an answer must be respected deeply, for no one should be harrassed, pressured into doing this. Having said that, currently I do not know what will be next for me in skydiving after these TTO`s are done-wether I am going to get to try freefall again, or if Angus and the DZO decide that I will remain on the static line. In either case, I respect them tremendously and will always.... for they have done more then ever dreamed of allready. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts... yes Angus IS a legend (infact the video that gets shown to skydivers learning to become TM`s where they share various malfunctions-Angus is in one... he dealt with a situation where the tandem students legs were wrapped around the pilot chute-or the drogue-I do not remember which) -minna To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Thanks Nick. I had thought that the passsangers strap got caught(the white one secured to the strapping around his knees.. it is not secured by anything but flopping around). Yes I also was disturbed by the people in the plane wondering if anyone had a knife (I thought all licenced divers had one?). I saw the TM with the knife he used.... and realized that it propably wasn't the white rope attached to the guys legs that was caught since it looks like he lands with that strap still on. The reason I am wanting to know more about this incident is the fact that my skydiving pants have straps coming from each knee of the pants to a locking carbiner on my chest harness... these straps are not flapping around because velcro was sewn on my pants and the back of the straps to secure them to my pants. The part of the straps that is above my waist line is attached to my shirt (which has two velcro srips sewn on it) by velcro also. I want to do the best I can to stop my straps from coming undone and flapping loose.... The current consideration I have is to place a pocket which closes with velcro directly on the pants and stow the straps in there until after I am under canopy. Any thoughts? To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

how does one get "certified for actively adressing environmental issues"? I certainly think that ground operations can be expanded upon by all of us (DZ's, on down to individual households of skydivers) to be a little more environmentally "friendly" but what can we do about the air emissions of our fun in the skies? I'm seriously asking... because I'd like to know. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hi, I am wondering where I can find info on the tandem incident (with a paralyzed passanger) that happened at The Blue Sky Ranch in Gardiner, NY in July 2005. This is the video of what happened. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qaWJh1msRhk I'd like to read the incident report, and recommendations/any info available. thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction, after doing a search on "tandem incident" I find so many pages that I have not yet waded through them to find this incident. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

Hi, Are you coming to the provincials @ PST Aug 22-24? free food and beer to competitors. Angus and Fuzzy will be there.. Anyway.. there was a woman from our DZ who said she wrote up something, and sent it to CANPARA... who knows if they think its interesting enough.. I mean how many students are they learning to skydive, and whom would you publish if you did.. propably someone who did something spectacular in skydiving... certainly not me. having said that, i am going to start communication with CSPA regarding an adapted A licencing option with restrictions (*i.e. all static lines, no FF, and focussing on canopy control and landings.. they are tricky enough for a paralyzed skydiver to learn well.... not there yet, and have done 30 self controlled landings. the standing up folks are better in their landings by 30 dives then i am at consistently sliding in nice and low). I think your the only deaf Canadian skydiver also. It is you whom I refer to, when I say that CSPA allready is endorsing skydiving within the community of folks with disabilities... as an amputee or two are also skydiving in Quebec and Lonnie is licenced and paralyzed in Canada.. so there is me to try to get into the ranks of acquiring the A as the gimp chick who learned also, and we'd have everyone but the blind guy in our Canadian 'gimp 4 way team'. There's potential.. for events once enough folks start skydiving.. that isn't going to happen until there is a program instructors can follow, have preferrably someone like Lonnie, Peter, you, me, ?,?,... to personally teach the instructors on how to learn to communicate, move around in the plane and in the air, and what differences we have for equiptment (if any) so instructors have had a chance to see it all happen by and with someone who is 'disabled' and familiarize themselves prior to having to teach others. I am greatful that Angus, Dave, and all my JM's etc. have always treated me like any other skydiver, although I must admit they all took great care, and have heard someone say they have never seen Angus so intense, so focussed and 'serious' then my first AFF. and the poor guy endured the other 3 more... all of which i either flipped on him, or was about to and he pulled for me to get me under a canopy and put an end to the FF. Angus gave more of himself then anyone has ever done.. in my life... for my life. So, how about it, join Fuzzy, Angus and I on the Provincials weekend? how can we miss an event that took 8 yrs in the making... To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works

I was dx'd wioth ALS in Sept. 2005 -skydiving is saving my life/keeping me alive-longer. As for the dx and skydiving, as long as the person is able to perform the tasks required there is no reason someone like us cannot skydive... if you want to talk to my tandem progression, and AFF isntructor just contact parachuteschool.com, talk to Adam the DZO and ask him for info on how to contact Angus Smith (my coach) and even talking to Adam might give you some info/answers. Angus might know some instructors in the USA willing to help with this.... good luck and keep us posted as to what is happening. (if you want to see what I've done, how I am learning about skydiving solo, you can check out my thread in this forum -only one started by gimpboogie. To become active member in the Bonus Days Club you must very narrowly escape eternal freefall ... one exciting time.)-Pat Works