gale

Funny thing, I didn't notice the warning until you said that. Ah well...hopefully other people are more observent. (And yes, I think telling HH what usernames are doing it is probably pretty pointless because they'll just make another one. Got contacted by another scammer today. Man, those guys are everywhere. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Ah, of course you are correct, but it may be new to some. If people insist on clicking on anything with Anna Kornakova's name on it and spreading viruses all over the Internet, then I'm guessing some people are going to fall for this. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I just wanted to let anyone who doesn't know about this scam because I'm selling my gear here and I got emailed by a scam artist. Someone emailed me saying that their "client" wanted a set of gear and they were prepared to pay what I was asking right away and I should send my information. I email back asking if there are questions or if they would like pictures, and I get back an email asking for my details again so they can send payment. Only this time they tell me that they will send more than I'm asking as long as I return the difference. And therein lies the scam. Let's say I ask for $2500 but they send a cheque for $10,000. Honest me wants to return the difference, and I do. Well, ages later their cheque bounces, or their bank doesn't accept it, and I've lost my gear and $7500. There is also the possibility that the cheque will not bounce and they are just laundering money. (I might not be out any money, but I really don't want to be a part of that.) So, watch out. Never accept more money that your item is worth. (Oh, and foreign cheques can take a very long time to bounce, or a very long time for the bank to realize they are forgeries. Ask for bank drafts, they are much safer.) I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

My favorite thing about reading opinions online is that there are lots of them. If I ask a question here, 5, 10, or even 30 people may respond, but there might be only one or two people available at the drop zone. This gives me a much better information base with which to make a decision. It's also a big advantage to talk to people who are very current on training techniques and up to the minute procedures. That information may take a while to filter down to the smaller drop zones. Personally, I have learned lots of things through reading online that I may never have learned in person, but that's just me. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Um, I don't know what happened the jumper you mention but I will say that at my drop zone we only have student 288 Mantas, one Call Ralph 210, and one Hornet 190 for rental. And the Hornet is the only one with a square reserve. People are all pushed onto that rig as soon as possible so they have a square reserve. I wouldn't want to land one of the smaller round reserves that are in our student gear either. Personally, I haven't jumped either one of them. I downsized from the Manta to my own Tri220. That way I pick the size and I have a square reserve. But not everyone has money to buy gear. Plus, I hear people all the time telling people to jump the 190, and these are very experienced skydivers giving their advice. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Hi, I don't usually post, and I'm not an instructor in any way but I wanted to share something with you. Yes, practice pulls can be tough - heck when I was doing mine I never did get them right and switched over to PFF (like AFF). (Always an option by the way, if your instructors agree.) So here's my suggestion: relax. Your instructors aren't going to be having you pull your own chute until they're confident you can do it. You've got lots of time, and if it takes you 10 practice pulls to feel confident, then so be it. Take your instructors advice, and what you find useful here, and relax. You'll get it. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, it can make things worse. Good luck. Have fun. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

But are you allowed to take up paying customer's with the Tandem Examiner there? Or do you need the actual rating for that. (That's the question, sorry if it wasn't clear.) Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Well, I just took the coach 1 course (limited coaching allowed once your have this rating) and let me tell you, if you're getting everything they teach us to give you, it's worth a little money. That being said, whenever I've been coached, it's never been the way they taught us. So I guess the answer to your question is, it really depends on the quality of coaching. Some of it's worth money plus a slot, some is worth only a slot, and some really isn't coaching at all - it's just someone jumping with you. A coach jump should contain: - Goal setting before the dive. - Standards of success for the dive. (IE, if I do two clean backloops in a row, that is a success) - Teaching of the skill(s) to be learnt - Dirt diving - Possibly work in the plane - The actual dive - Observation under canopy - Debrief on all parts of the dive - Goal setting for next dive (and that's just what is right off the top of my head) Whew! I think that's worth something! Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I was just wondering... What could happen if an unrated person takes up a tandem and something goes wrong? Be it a twisted ankle on landing, or worse... (I'm in Canada if that matters.) Lawsuits, CSPA stuff, dz responsibility... Seems like tandem ratings are complex (issued by the manuafacturer IIRC) so I'm just curious if anyone knows. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I think you might be a little hard on this person. I mean, I know what 120 miles an hour of wind feels like and so do you, but she may not have realized (or thought about) it's effects on her clothes. Plus, if the TM didn't say anything about it, she probably thought she'd be fine. Now personally, I am large-breasted and I wouldn't go anywhere without a bra on, and I agree that it's uncomfortable or even painful! But, different strokes for different folks I guess. Wearing a small top with a bra might be confortable (not to mention cooler in the heat) to some. And one other thing, most people consider their jumpsuits quite the fashion statement, and will pay extra to have it look the way they want. We all try to look a certain way - even when grubby. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I have stayed out of this whole debate, but read everything, and I think this statement is really interesting. Of course! People with bad judgment are going to make bad decisions about wing loading. Kind of like people with bad judgment are going to make bad decisions about driving, or parenting, or any other behaviour. But you can't make rules about judgments. You just can't. You can't say, well that 13 year old has great judgment so THEY should be able to drive, whereas that 17 year old with bad judgment shouldn't. It's not possible. Yup, they have a test. But you have to meet the minimums to take it. Kind of like what's being proposed in some of these thread. Dumb people will make dumb decisions. We, as a society still TRY to protect them from themselves - even if it doesn't always work. Making rules about someones actions is all you CAN do. Just a thought. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Actually, I just went on a skydiving trip with my company last week. Everyone was so sick of hearing me talk about it that they all signed up. Basically, I just took the money my boss alotted for a staff party and split it between everyone. Each person paid the rest. I will say that it's important not to pressure people though. Obviously, this isn't for everyone. (Observer rides can be fun for those not crazy enough to actually jump out of the plane.) I was actually really worried someone would get hurt - but everything worked out fine, and I can attest to the fact that it bonded us. Plus, now we have cool pictures to put on our walls at work! Oh, and I'm sure there's some way to work around the libility worries - but there's really no convincing your boss it's a good idea if he really hates it though. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

My 2 cents... I bruise easily and even though I have my own gear it's used and it doesn't fit well. So I use Arnika gel on my bruises. It's a naturopathic solution you may wish to try. I got mine at a drug store, but you could probably find it anywhere herbs are sold. The only warning listed on it is not to put it on broken skin - it burns. I really find it causes the bruises to fade faster and they hurt less. (Disclaimer: consulting a doctor is never a bad idea before slathering on unknown goo.) Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I find this coach discussion interesting. We have a different way of thinking about caoches in Canada. For example, all you need is a B license (minimum 50 jumps) and you can take the coach 1 course. Coach 1's of course can't do all that much. They can gear up students, and work with lower time jumpers. They basically help with skill development for lower time jumpers, although not students. I, for example, will be taking the coach 1 course in July. Obviously, this doesn't mean I can coach someone on how to go head down, or hook turn, but I can assist with basic skill development like loops, rolls, and the like. Coach 1 is also a mandatory first rating if you want to be an instructor. And coaching isn't just being able to do the skills, it's also knowing how to teach someone else how to do them. I can do the quickest, cleanest backloop in the world but if I can't explain to someone else how to do it, I'm not of any use to them. If you have hundreds of jumps and want to help up-jumpers, (which is really great) I think you should probably take the time to take the course. I don't think it's too much to ask, (obviously you should be able to pass it easily) and you may learn about how to coach people. We also have coach 2 and coach 3 and they can do progressively more, with less experienced people. I guess I like the idea that people at almost every level of the sport have something to give back to others. (But yes, taking the course is still a good idea.) Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Yes, I've noticed this too. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I need to order new risers (see http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=511958;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread as to why) I was asking people out at the drop zone for their opinion so now I'm asking you guys, what do you think? (I'm don't really use my front risers other then for play up high, but as I'm ordering risers I thought I should get options that I may use in the future.) Also, could you please include why. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

To answer your question, yes I looked before I got out. I knew we were south, and not in a good position, but I got out anyway. There was no wind and I thought I could make it back. That, of course, would be assuming I didn't have a malfunction! Next time I'll get a go-around. As I have now been reminded, a malfunction could happen at any time - that's one of the reasons the spot is important! And as a quick update, I did jump today - twice. I'm here, and I'm OK. The jumps were fine, I landed on the field without incedent. Analyzing the situation was good for me. I will be holding this experience near for a long time. This is hard stuff, and sometimes it all builds up into mistakes. I will be vigilant and try to remember that it CAN happen to me. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Now I have my very own "no sh!t there I was" story. I don't know if I wanted one. I skip out of work early to go do a jump. The weather is better then we've had in a long time with near-record highs. I'm doing a coach jump where I'll be practicing my manauever series. Jumprun direction gets redecided by the pilot in the plane. The winds are doing nothing so it's no big deal. The pilot is still learning though and his jumpruns are inconsistant and often just not good. This time the jumprun was super short, door open - first group out immediately. I climbed out and left as soon as my coach was ready. We were south of the drop zone by quite a bit at this time. This is bad because there are few outs there. I didn't worry though because there was no wind and I should have been able to make it back, or somewhere close anyway. After a good freefall I deploy at 3,000 as planned. I toggle came loose on opening. The line and toggle became caught (I'm sorry I don't know the correct name for the ring the brake line goes through) near the slider. I know what's wrong and I know that's why I'm turning - but I can't reach the toggle. I attempt to get it a couple of times. Now I'm at 2,000 and I yank on the rear riser to get the toggle. I know I'm at my desicion altitude but I'm thinking "this isn't a malfunction - it's just a toggle, I can get it". I do get the toggle. Now I'm at 1,000. There are two fields in front of me. OK, no problem, I've prepared for an off-field landing. I pick the larger of the two fields. I set up to land, sinking in, in brakes to be careful not to overshoot in the no-wind conditions. Then at about 200 I see powerlines right in front of me. There're running through the middle of the field. 30,000 volts of electiricity that I'd really much rather not experience first hand. I make a quick flat turn to the right. I don't hink I can land on the side of the power lines I'm on because there's trees, house, road. So I fly over a road, and a shorter set of power lines (which at the time I thought I might hit) and land in a different field. I land unhurt. Stupid things done by me: 1. Not requesting a go-around. We're not supposed to do jumpruns to the south for a reason. Yes, under normal circustances I could have probably made it somewhere close - but I didn't consider what would happen if a had a malfunction. 2. Possible packing error. I know I stowed the brakes, but I may not have done it as carefully as I should have. 3. Not having shorter risers. I honestly never thought of this problem. The risers have always been too long - from student status onward. I just didn't see this coming, even though I probably should have. 4. Not paying attention to my harddeck. Desicion altitude has that name for a reason - it's time to make a decision to chop or not. IF I CAN'T LAND IT AT 2,000 IT'S TIME TO CHOP. I will never make that mistake again. 5. Yarding down on a rear riser generally isn't a great course of action during a malfunction - it increased my decent rate. It may have been what I had to do to get the toggle but it's worth mentioning that it's not generally a good idea, I think. 6. Power lines are invisible, and looking to kill me. In this case there were power lines running through a field and the poles were so far apart so as to be unnoticable. Next time I will try to spot poles first thing, because power lines aren't always just along the roads. I think that's all of them. I'm thankful to be here, and learn from this. I'm extremely upset that it took scaring the sh!t out of myself to cement these concepts. I spent some time yesterday thinking about whether I should jump again. Maybe this lack of judgment means I just can't do this. I'm not cut out for it. I don't know if that's true. I am going out to the drop zone today. I guess we'll see what I decide when I get there. I fly a Tri220 loaded at 1:1. This was jump 57. I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

There's a coach I know who would smack you for talking like that! (Lovingly - of course.) The point is - focus on the good sutff! You did so much right that your instructors wanted to pass you! You did something that a very small portion of people would even think about trying. Good for you! Look, you'll have lots of time to fix your arms, legs, whatever. Right now, try enjoying the fact that you did it! OK, so it didn't go as well as you expected. Disappointment is normal. But getting down on yourself won't help - really. So practice, listen to your instructors, and smile. This is fun! (Oh, and I did a very bad level 1. And that was after 8 IADs. PM me if you want the details.) Good luck. Let us know how the next one goes. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I've got the book. I think it's pretty good. Some of the photos are a little old (and thus funny), but the information is pretty up to date. I would say it's worth getting. It's nice to have a handy reference like that. Plus, you have to do something when it rains! Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I actually know of 2 real incidents. One: Our very own IFlyMe experienced a premature deployment in a stand. He, and his gear were OK. (Lucky, I guess) It was found that a loose boc mouth was most likely the culprit. Two: A skydiver with about 100 jumps was doing sitfly in a student rig and had a premature deployment. I don't know what kind of gear he was wearing, he just told me that it wasn't freefly friendly. (Most likely, there wasn't sufficient bridal protection.) The bridal wrapped around his arm and broke it badly. He was out of the sport for about a year I think. As someone else said, talk to your rigger. Freefly friendly is good! Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

I'm going to humbly make a suggestion that worked for me. The last thing I though about when leaving the plane was always arch! Take a second when hanging from the strut, (assuming that's what you're doing) or just before exiting to take a breath, and then think ARCH. And instead of just thinking arch, try reminding yourself of what part of your body your arch should be coming from. The arch comes from your hips. So think hips! Also, it helped me to think of squeezing my butt as much as possible - thus getting my hips out. It might help for you to think in concrete terms instead of just "arch" which could be a little vague for you. And yes, you can practice on the ground. Get on a creeper, and arch for 30 seconds, rest for 30 seconds, repeat. It's best to do it out at the drop zone so someone can correct your position right there and then - and it doesn't cost a thing! Once you get a few successful stable jumps under your belt you won't have to think about it so much. But until then - work on building that muscle memory. Good luck. Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Interestingly enough I just had this conversation with a skydiver yesterday... I commented something like, "well if you're legs are in the splits when landing, you've already screwed up." He made the argument that sometimes a PLF is not the right landing technique. Sometime you just want to spread the impact out over as much of the body as possible. Apparently one very famous and accomplished skydiver once illusrated this point to him by walking away from a very botched landing. Comments? Sounds odd to me...but I'm just a 50 jump wonder... Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Here's my inexperienced 2 cents: Sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I say if money is a major issue for you, do static line. Personally, I think if you can do 2 (or 3, depending on the price) static line jumps for the cost of one tandem it'll be worth it. You'll get 2 landings instead of one. (Good for your training...) Tandems are good in a perfect world, it's just that this one rarely is. I do think tandems are the ONLY way to go if you are only going to do one jump. If you know you want to continue, the cheaper option can be just as good. IMHO Gale I'm drowning...so come inside Welcome to my...dirty mind

Hi Se, (