jimjumper

A "Shark Tank" special!

Not too bad but a lot of drop zones (including some very large ones) don’t teach the cutaway method you mention so it might be a bit too specific. A lot of drop zones use a 2-hands on each handle cutaway sequence for a number of reasons. This type of cutaway utilizes the sequence of “Arch, Look red (identify cutaway handle), grab red, look silver (identify reserve ripcord), pull red, grab silver, pull silver”. The cutaway handle is thrown away prior to pulling the reserve ripcord. This sequence has a number of advantages over the one-hand on each handle technique. It allows the jumper more pull force for a hard cutaway and also allows the second hand to sweep the cables clear of the housings to ensure both risers release. It also frees your hands in the event that the canopy is not completely released. Think about clearing a stuck riser cover or a line entanglement after you have cutaway and you have already started to pull the reserve ripcord. You need to ensure you have completely released the canopy before pulling the reserve. With a one-hand on each handle sequence muscle memory will sometimes cause a reserve pull. Also, as seen by a number of Instructors over the years, in the stress of a cutaway, a number of students have managed to pull the handles in the wrong order. A 2-hand cutaway makes this much more unlikely and if a MARD or RSL is used the reserve is usually open as fast as a manual pull. Lastly, no matter which sequence you currently use don’t change it unless there is a very specific reason for doing so. You will lose the long term muscle memory you have worked so hard to get and could cause confusion in a high stress situation. Jumpers discovered back when we transitioned from regular use of modified military equipment to modern sport gear that muscle memory could sometimes cause problems if the jumper was not specifically trained in the techniques the different equipment required. Be careful out there gang! A cutaway should not just be a mindless pull of 2 handles. It should be a combination of thought with the urgency of trained muscle memory.

I think Tom Sanders was the editor/producer. He posts here once in a while. I'd ask him if he still has any?

I was the guy that posted that line. Me and my wife had a long distance relationship for 2 years before getting married. She worked as a a manifester, and was actively jumping, while I was stationed overseas. I never once had a doubt or cause for concern. If you think that the DZ lifestyle is going to cause problems in your relationships you've already bought into the "DZ drama" that others have warned about.

Best I've used resembles a small freefly tube. About 6' long with ashes in the middle and both ends folded to the middle. Handle is small ring sewn onto the mouth with 550 cord tied on the ring for a handhold. Hold it closed with rubber bands and use pull up cords to pull them off. When released all the ashes go up through the tube and they don't go all over the jumper. It also looks spectacular from the ground.

Seems like I can never sell my gear when it still has any value. Between me and my wife, 3-4 containers, 4-5 mains, but surprisingly only 1 round reserve. We loaned a round reserve we had stored to a guy that had just blown up his reserve (didn't get hurt just scared!) but he had it so long it was worthless and we told him to keep it. The one reserve I do have, a 28' Phantom, had the diaper change, then after a friend of mine blew one up, I had the kevlar mod done, and then it was on the acid mesh serial list and I just retired it. Looks real good all assembled in my old Warp3 with a Delta Cloud main, its about the size of a tandem!

I had a heavyweight cloud that I purchased from Max Meinsopust. It didn't have packing tabs and when I asked I was told that Elek Puskas was of the opinion that they affected the performance of the airfoil. Anyway a local rigger sewed some on. It could just be urban legend but who knows?

This was in the news yesterday. Happened near San Bernardino, CA. Anybody ever jump this one?

At most DZ's the full timers get together once a week, usually at the local watering hole and decide who is sleeping with who for the next week. Remember, you don't lose your girlfriend at the DZ, just your place in line! Sometimes "drama" lacks as the full description...

Due to the variations on amputations there is almost no way to discern what is needed until you meet the individual in person. Your best bets for specific harnessing info are the TI's that have done a variety of handicapped. Jim Wallace and Jay Stokes both come to mind.

Just saw this over on Facebook and couldn't resist dropping it here.

I took a 6'5" 250+ UFC fighter. Did't have any problem getting his legs up, but was glad we had a Skyvan for the exit! I got good money and a better tip for that one.

Chris has been out for at least a few years now. Last I heard he was living and jumping in Florida?

Jim Wallace is over 65 and still does lots of tandems. It's physical ability that is the limitation vice age.

Another one? I still have a copy of the results of the first one I did back in 1983. What would be an interesting project would be to collate the results of the last 50 to 100 mental health surveys done of skydivers rather than starting new ones. Or maybe using the results to show trends over the last 20-30 years.

Being in the military I've had a couple of forced layoffs of 2 years or more. It will drive you crazy the first month or 2, I think because of the adrenaline withdrawal but thats just my own pet theory. After that it gets easier. I've also found that after a couple years you may question whether its worth going back to. I've always started again but it gives you long enough to question whether the game is worth the possible consequences and the cost. Take the time off and get things in order. You'll feel better for doing that no matter what decision you end up making.

In '83 there was an ad for the Mirage where it was being worn by a person doing horse dressage! The container was bright yellow and was later raffled off at the '84 Herd boogie. I know because I won that container and traded it to help pay for the Warp 3 that I already had on order.

I do the flyers for some coin collecting sites and clubs and usually put a QR code on them linking to the site. But For myself, I usually just google what I'm looking for so I don't have another piece of paper laying around.

Some of us older jumpers still use bungee pilot chutes which would eliminate 2 of 4 problems mentioned that can cause a PC in tow. They are non-packing sensitive and when the bungee wears out or breaks the PC just becomes a non-collapsible PC and still will operate just fine. Some times newer is not necessarily better.

You might try Sandy Reid at RI. He used to have an example board of developmental cutaway systems and I'm pretty sure there was one on it. I saw a set still being jumped as late as 1986 in the Philippines.

We used to chug-a-lug a beer under canopy and then try to drop the can on the pick up driver!

And a donkey!

One year, then engaged. I spent 2 years stationed overseas, coming home for 10 days every six months and running up huge phone bills. We got married on my return stateside. 20 years this last December.

Sounds good to me! I've found Monsters and Rockstars to be much more effective...

+1!! Excellent place to start.