Hayden

As many others have said -- you don't. I thought about trying to talk my hubby into it but I couldn't imagine how I'd feel if he got hurt. And so, I realized the desire to skydive is truly a personal decision and no one should ever be "talked into" it. Just my opinion.

Oh my god. That's hilarious. I can't stop laughing...!

Thanks for the replies guys

Aww....don't tease! I'd have to travel quite a ways to make it south enough for it to be warm come December!

Out of curiosity... I'd still love to start my AFF training before it gets too cold out and people stop jumping for the winter time, but I'm curious to know when people start packing it in for the season? I live in Vancouver so it never really snows and stays fairly mild, however...I'm sure people stop jumping at some point until the spring?

They certainly can be! What exactly is dangerous about opening hard? Is it just the risk of physical injury? Is there also a risk that passenger becomes detached from the TI, etc?

Heh. No, I was walking just fine. Tender under the arms and across the chest area the next day, but nothing advil didn't cure. I just want to make sure "passengers" don't sometimes come unattached 'cause of the jarring ...or that it doesn't impact on the main canopy opening. If it does, I'm curious about the science/physics behind how it positively or negatively impacts on the main unfolding. Better yet, are there tricks to soften the deceleration against the harness?

Are hard openings dangerous in tandem? Are they the norm rather than the exception? My last tandem felt rather harsh, but I suppose that's because I didn't know when it was coming and thus couldn't do anything to prepare for it. I wonder if the combined weight (probably ~400 lbs, each of us weighing about 200lbs each) and with both of us being about 6' tall...is that of any particular significance? Should I be jumping with someone smaller or does it matter?

Really? Telling someone that if they don't want to get hurt, skydiving might not be for them is coming down hard? Should we wait until they watch someone else get hurt or die, or maybe until they get hurt? Either one is much harsher, I'd think. If you skydive long enough, you are going to get hurt. Could be a sprained ankle or femur from a botched landing, could be a concussion from a bad exit, could just be scrapes and bruises. It could be your fault, could be someone else's fault, could be nobody's fault. If your "real life" is such that you absolutely can not get hurt (career, family, whatever), you might want to postpone skydiving until such time as your life can allow for a few weeks spent on crutches. That's not coming down hard, that's talking about reality. Yes, but you'd have to be a moron not to recognize that you may get hurt. He, and everyone else who skydives, is well aware of that fact. What exactly are you teaching or trying to get across by pointing out the obvious? If he weren't aware, he wouldn't have asked. Might want to give your ego a one-over and figure out where you're coming from. These threads are meant to help people out when they ask for advice -- not to tell them to find another hobby just because you didn't like their question.

I think some of you guys are coming down a little hard on the guy. Anyone new to the sport should do due diligence and ask questions -- especially in an extreme sport like this. I'm completely new to skydiving and I've decided I love it and want to continue on with AFF, but I've asked the same kinds of questions too. I've even been curious about the stats around accidents and fatalities. I have a husband and son to think about. Remember, respect and trust are earned. It's not a given, nor should it be when it comes to handing someone over your life

Tell me something -- would it be fair to say that everyone has cut their main at least once? I'm just curious as to the stats around how often the reserve gets utilized? For those who have jumped at least a good few times (e.g. upward of 50+ jumps, I suppose), how many times have you needed your reserve? Glad you made it back on the ground safe, FF

I completely agree with you on that one. I think gut instincts may be just as important as the questions you ask!

Hey there Well, I did my first tandem last weekend at Skydive Vancouver in Abbotsford, BC. I never went into it thinking it would be more than a one time thing, but I left somewhat hooked. But I guess I picked a good weekend to try it! They were hosting their annual Boogie, so it was quite an introduction to the sport. I loved it. And alas, have decided to do the AFF program. This site is amazing. I could read these threads and articles on skydiving for hours and I know I will find it useful for years to come

I've decided I'd like to do the Accelerated Free Fall program after recently doing my first tandem. I've done quite a bit of research on the different kinds of training that exist to get certified. And I've even made a list of questions to ask a few of the DZ's in my area related to their safety and training, but... I wondered if anyone with much more experience in the field can tell me what kinds of questions I should be asking to make sure I pick well-trained, and safe company and DZ to learn from? Any help would be immensely appreciated