Stearny

Skydive Switzerland just outside Interlaken (during my 20 day backpack trip through Europe). I was fresh off of student status (jump 28). My briefing from the S&TA when I got there went something like this.... "Don't land East, Mountains = death" "Don't land North, Powerlines and highway = death" "Don't land South, ice cold glacier river = death" "Have fun!" I know it's not that exotic, but I am a good ole boy from Kansas. Stearny

very good point. Stearny

Is your profile up-to-date? It also sounds like you certainly have more than just 45 total jumps by now, accumulated too. I'll +1 to John's reply to you as well... great response/post! Yes it is up to date. I currently have 45 jumps. I was lucky enough to have amazing AFF instructors and coaches. The dzo at my dropzone is probably one of the most knowledgeable, nicest, talented, safest, etc etc etc skydivers you will ever meet. It is a smaller dropzone with a very hands on approach. I have definitely had certain values instilled into my skydiving mindset. I appreciate the kind comments. Cheers Stearny

I am a relatively new jumper with a low enough jump count that my first jump with different experienced jumpers I don't know expect "zoo" dives. I recently made a jump where we completed the dive objective and even had time for some playing around. She complemented me on my flying skills and asked me how I had developed those skills so quickly. While I put the majority of my knowledge on the training I received from my AFF instructors and coaches, I also said that watching youtube clips was part of it. She didn't believe me and started laughing. I have watched countless youtube clips of anything and everything involved in skydiving (exits, fall rate adjustment, malfunctions, RW, FF, tracking, etc.) I was curious if you guys think that developing skills by watching top level jumpers (or random bozos) should in some way be incorporated into training and improvement, and if you have also used this technique? NOTE: Please do not flame this post, I am by no means a skygod and do not intend to become one. I was just curious if others have had this same experience / agree / disagree. Cheers Stearny

When I first started jumping I had your exact same feeling. In free fall the most important step to improvement is coached jumps, coached jumps, coached jumps. Especially with video and a good debrief. Some of my favorite jumps were where a coach would simply lay base and I would "try" to simply fly docks around. When you are the one doing all the work (fall rate adjustment, body control, etc) you truly learn how to fly your body. Keeping current helps to maintain this gained knowledge. As others have stated canopy control is extremely important to safe skydiving. I frequently talk to riggers, fun jumpers, coaches, etc about all the issues associated with canopy control (wing loading, patterns, emergency procedures, etc). Brian Germain has a great book focused on these issues (Parachute and it's Pilot). Also I have recently been reading the SIM quite frequently as to be fresh on emergencies procedures and best practices not only to stay safe in freefall and under canopy, but in the plane, gearing up, and maintaining gear. In regards to repeating tasks until they are perfected or mixing it up, it depends. There are certainly things you will HAVE to master to safely skydive. As stated, an on heading flat track with horizontal separation is priority #1. I decided I wanted to become proficient in Belly RW before I started anything else. Once I was consistently completing solid exits and objectives of a dive (2,3,4 ways) I moved to other disciplines. Recently I've started working on tracking RW jumps, backflying, and short sit flys. Make sure to consult your DZO, rigger, S&TA, or experienced jumper before performing any new type of discipline. While my time in this sport is short, it is easy to see that you are always a student and always learning. Blue Skies, Cheers (Sorry for the book response) Stearny

Old thread I know, but I have done a couple of tracks usually consisting of only two or three people. I can fly very relative to others, but not close enough (or in control enough) to dock. Fall rate is in control, heading is in control. It is just the final approach when going for a dock that I simply lose. Any tips/suggestions beyond doing more jumps?!?!? Cheers Stearny

That is a beautiful rig. Jesus. I think I am going to steal that entire design. I am not even kidding. Stearny

How many times does a doctor come across that type of question in practice? Do they have a case studies to verify their recommendation? Probably not. Sure you take the prescribed antibiotic meds and let your ear heal. However, there is no possibility of further damage once there is a rupture (with regards to skydiving). A pressure differential is what caused the rupture in the first place (in my case). Since there is a rupture your ear, the ear is in constant equilibrium with regards to pressure. The biggest thing is preventing infection via moisture contact. I have taken many showers with a wax ball in my ear as per my doctors recommendation. Both are completely healed with no hearing loss. Thanks for the tip though! Cheers Stearny

How is skydiving with just sunglasses? I have always wondered about doing that. I typically wear contact lenses when I jump. Is there any airflow around the sunglasses that would affect me? Cheers Stearny

That's exactly what I thought. The one thing that you really want to avoid doing is jumping with a lot of sinus drainage or a head cold. 12 jumps in 4 days last week and my ears didn't equalize until about 10 mins after each landing. Seriously thought I had ruptured an eardrum for a while. Actually have a friend how did rupture one this way. Cheers Stearny

I have found that the majority of the Belly RW guys prefer full faced helmets. I personally chose an open face (Cookie Ozone) because I known I want to eventually get into FF. While I think you can easily FF with a full face, the majority of FFers I see have open faced. A helmet is a helmet. Comes down to your style and as stated your preference. Also, I do enjoy the feeling of freefall on my face. Moisture from clouds is SICK! Cheers Stearny

I hate ruptured both of my ear drums. Went skydiving (13k) with one of them ruptured. No problem at all. The doctor had no idea if anything would happen. 100% fine. Stearny

Nice! I did my first bit of back flying last week. Tried some backflying with turns first jump. Barely got the sit up second jump. Sat it fully up on the third try (slight turn). It is really exciting having a different landscape of freefall while free flying. I don't have an audible yet, but am very altitude aware. Went from 120mph (belly to earth) to 153mph (sit). WOOT! Cheers, Stearny Stearny

Thank you for all the advice thus far. Didn't mean to sound over confident or arrogant. Every jump is a learning experience for sure. Every jump I land safely is good enough for me. Stearny

Hello all! I recently got my A license a couple of weeks ago. I was curious as to how you all progressed through the different disciplines (RW, freefly, etc) and at what jump #'s you began trying them. My goal is to excel at all disciplines as opposed to be amazing at FF and crummy at RW. Currently I am still trying to master 4way exits from a C-182 (one shitty one under my belt). Any and all advice regarding your improvements and progressions would be greatly appreciated! I understand the learning curve is different for every skydiver, I am trying to set a baseline of goals to achieve in the coming months and years. Thanks! Andrew