jrjny

it's not that bad - when you have a helmet on you don't even notice the 'noise'. It is more like part of the setting you find yourself in. Doubt you'll have a problem, earplugs should be ok but talk to your instructors.

Yoink - I agree 100% but I'd just say that the nuances are oftentimes not a first hand accounting of the situation. In this case it's obvious to see what happened but in the analysis of any fatality it's sometimes only possible to speculate and draw conclusions out of thin air. Not my example but listen - everyday the turkey wakes up and is fed well and it hangs out in the sunshine. On the 400th day it wakes up and is decapitated. On the 405th day you toast happy thanksgiving. What did all the turkeys say about the one you ate? Gobble gobble gobble? That's what this site does quite a bit of but we can use better 'reasoning' and are certainly more articulate than a bunch of turkeys. Jeff

If I told someone off the street that someone got killed by a camera on a skydive causing a malfunction...he died SKYDIVING. Narrative fallacy runs it amock on these forums holy moly batman. All evidence confirms...

Def scared of imminent dangers (roofs, nasty switchbacks, cycling on elevated roads, etc...). Point about 13.5k being cartoonish is dead on, though flying a cessna at 1500 ft can be interesting (no rig). Initially when I did my tandem I wasn't worried about the height or the landing, just sensory overload and being generally freaked out.

Why not get your private pilot license? Odds you'll have to land using your feet are pretty low. Focus on recovery, IMO.

Good job man - just remember that while fear is more intense than regret, it's compressed and short-lived, while regret lasts for years and years. Stay positive no matter what and take it one step at a time. Jeff

i just figured i could back out until i was actually out of the plane. So the decision point was when I was half out the door...only took a push and there I went.

don't worry - the pros are killing themselves swooping ;-) too bad we never have any final moments footage...

Upsize :-)

Is this the skydiver version of linking to Google.com when someone asks a question?

let's get this to 200 votes guys I need some central limit theorem to kick in and analyze this ;-)

I felt the same way a very short time ago and while I have no concrete plans to attempt any swooping I have moved beyond ruling it out entirely. I don't seek additional risk, however. Strange how perception changes over periods of time. Maybe that's the highlight of this post.

Good clarification - I would say a swoop in this context means that you build speed for your final approach that was not essential to land safely. Whether a 90 degree turn on a 7 cell lightly loaded canopy or a typical HP canopy loaded at 1.7+. One may lead to the other, etc...

Just wanted to get a sense of how this discipline is distributed across experienced and would be, inexperienced jumpers, such as myself. Jeff

try this: http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ it's by LiveStrong/Lance Armstrong. You basically enter what you eat in it and it gives you a breakdown of your macronutrients (carbs, protein, fats) total calories and even lets you enter exercise. takes the guesswork out of eating. If you want to gain muscle start from a base caloric intake of say: 2200 calories + 500 day for 2 weeks see if you gain 2 lbs. Keep your carbs/protein/fats: 40% 35% 25% Use a little whey protein - convert to all whole grains and cut out the red meat just eat chicken. For lifting do big compound movements like the deadlift, dips, pushups, chinups. For cardio cycle if you want to be easy on your knees. Above all don't downsize too quick because all the fitness in the world won't heal your leg after you snap it. :-) Jeff

I bought a new mirage g4 because it was in stock. If I could go back I would have gone Vector/skyhook. While I don't plan to chop at sub 1,000ft I can't go back and reorder if I find myself there 'somehow'. Who knows...all I know is Booth's product is rock solid. Jeff

classic

same as above poster

I don't know but I feel calmer and I do drive slower now. Can't say correlation or causation but definitely an observation. Jeff

Define 'majority', Olmed.

blah blah blah - i do think for myself and I know that many people in this sport are idiots and give crap advice. I gave no specific advice - just made a general statement which led you to attack my character based upon my 'lack of experience' while I simply noted that new jumpers are not dying...just you up jumpers. be safe up there, Jeff

See - makes a case for the AFF student to wear it :-)

Dude - don't be so subservient to these assholes. You landed and walked away good job. Sounds like the AFF-I didn't pay attention and the rigger was embarrassed of his packing operation. Go to a different dropzone and if you don't drink don't buy anyone beer. Newbs aren't dying it's all the pros who are taking your money and yelling at you. Think for yourself. My gf did her AFF jump at one of the oldest dropzones around and the DZO told her to turn the wrong direction on final because he was looking at someone else and talking to her. PEOPLE FUCK UP! Do what you want to do. best, Jeff

Pull out your copy of parachutist and take a self portrait for next month's reader photos.

Wow