JackC1

You wouldn't be Fred Martin Feller, the lawyer from Alameda would you? Who are you suing?

Question 1: In the last two months I have worried about other aspects of my life, not related to the task I was doing. Agree or disagree. Exactly what task are we talking about here? Scratching my balls while waiting for a train or attempting to save my own life from a malfunctioning parachute? Might make a difference.

I tend to agree with you. If a barrel roll would help with that, I do it. But I don't think it does help, so I don't barrel roll during a track. Virtually all of the people you are likely to collide with are in your group. After tracking away they should all be behind you. If they're not, you've fucked up. As far as I can see, the best way you can make sure you don't go tracking over someone else (or them tracking over you) is to make sure you know where they've all gone at break off. This involves being aware of where they go as you turn and start to track, so you can make sure you're heading for clear airspace. If you track into someone then, it's because your exit separation sucked and you've tracked into the next group. But the conventional wisdom here seems to be to turn and burn, don't look back, and worry about them being in your airspace at pull time.

What about CF1??? I would say that's the best option since it's all about canopy skills and awareness. On a side note, FF1 definitely does not require and FS1 before you start it and I'm pretty sure you can get your FF1 before you have FS1 - it's just that everyone is advised to do FS1 first.... I'm not saying I think it's a good idea do batter in and get FF1 done before FS1 by the way, just saying that I don't think there are any actual rules against it. Oops, you're right, you can do a CF1. A lot of instructors like you to have 150-200 jumps before you start though. As far as FF1 goes, you need to demonstrate the ability to do everything in the FS1 syllabus except the 4 way qualification jump which is why I said for all practical purposes you need an FS1. Again, you're right you don't actually need an FS1 sticker, just 90% of the training.

Under the BPA there is a qualification called CP1 (canopy piloting grade 1) which is designed to put some kind of rigid training in place for would be swoopers. In order to start training for CP1 (read that as starting high performance landings) you first need a C certificate and that involves having at least 200 jumps plus a B cert, plus a grade 1 in something else. You have 3 choices. FS1, FF1 or IS1. For all practical purposes, an FF1 requires an FS1 before you can start on it. Almost no one does individual style (IS1) anymore but in theory you could get one if you could find someone to grade you for it. That leaves you with your best and realistically your only bet: FS1. You may not like it but thems the rules and if you want to go forward I am afraid you will have to lump it.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Skysports-Para/Cessna-206-Super/0791204/M/

Skydiving is dangerous and expensive. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

Two friends of mine are dead because of this. I'm not saying keep looking back, I'm saying make sure you're tracking away from everyone else early on, look behind, look around, and look where you're going. You cannot be too vigilant at break off.

Unless you actually told them your weight when asking for canopy advice, maybe your instructors thought you look lighter than you actually are. People underestimate my weight all the time.

I want to see where everyone else is going. I had some twat follow me once. The one place people don't look is forward and up.

Mob bash a newbie Till the fucker sees clearly Straight outta dorkzone

It's impossible to say anything about that rig without seeing it. But a PD190 is an old design F111 main that shouldn't be loaded over about 1:1 and will start losing it's flare after about 600-800 jumps. A Vector II container probably has velcro all over it which means you're best not to go free flying in it. So, it's almost certainly old and probably well knackered but might still save your ass from certain splattage. I've jumped them and probably would again if I was desperate, but I doubt I'd pay actual money for one.

Wear goggles and you won't have a problem. That said, different people have different tolerances for wind in the eyeballs. A couple of guys I know jump in their regular specs, and they seal about like Shane MacGowans teeth. For most people, something wrap around like a pair of Gatorz or Curv-Z seal well enough. For others, only a hermetically sealed space helmet is wind proof enough. And yes, it's best to use a croakie unless you like losing your glasses 2 miles above the planet. General rule for skydiving, if it isn't tied down, you'll lose it.

There's an admin fee for processing a BPA licence, £15 for your first one then £5 for any upgrades. Once you've got it, you've got it forever. If you actually want to jump in the UK on a BPA licence, you'll need BPA membership which is currently £116.35 per year.

That depends on the model of Protec. The modern EPS lined Protec bicycle helmets are but the dual foam classic cut skate helmet beloved of skydivers isn't certified by anyone for anything.

I don't doubt that 1970's technology of a Protec is better than the 1790's technology of a frap hat. The question is whether it's better than carbon and kevlar from 2010, as says the popular myth.

This is usually due to the matrix around the carbon fiber oxidizing quickly in the hot and sunny conditions most people skydive in. A new carbon fiber helmet will be awesome. But as it gets brittle and old over the years, you will definitely lose some protection. I'm not sure I completely buy this. 1) I've seen fairly new carbon helmets with cracks in them, 2) where I jump it is neither hot nor sunny.

Judging by the number of carbon lids you see on a DZ with bits of gaffa tape and glue holding all the cracks together, I'd say the brittleness of carbon is a significant disadvantage.

Do you have a reference for the study that measured this 5%? As convincing as hearsay and conjecture is, it would be nice to follow it up with verifiable fact.

Protecs don't have any specific safety certification whatsoever. The dual foam liner in a Protec is only designed to withstand multiple minor impacts, not major ones. As far as I can tell, there is no evidence that a Protec offers significantly more protection than any other skydiving helmet. If you know of such evidence, please post it.

Are you saying that USPA member DZs are dishonest and would not obey the rules, should they be enacted? If so, what other rules do USPA member DZs break that would make you come to this conclusion?

The deployment was clean and stable. The problem was a stuck toggle resulting in the need for a rear riser landing. The canopy stalled and collapsed. Basically the same problem (although different cause) that the guy in the video cut away from.

Then you've been lucky. I have seen a reserve mal that ended in a life flight. Luckily the injuries weren't severe. I'd say that anyone who doesn't take preventable mals seriously because they think their reserve is bullet proof, should probably reconsider their participation in this sport.

FIFY. Reserves mal too. I'd say the real lesson from this video is not that you can chop at 1000ft and be fine but that paying attention when you pop your brakes might mean you wont have to.

The reasons for the mal are very relevant. To fail to avoid an avoidable mal is basically stupid. The fact that he chopped is totally unremarkable.