What does "Self Regulation" Mean to you when it comes to Skydiving

[dgskydive 0]

I am sure that people have more opinions then the two that I have put in the poll.

Skydiving is self regulating. What does that mean to you?

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

A couple of you have voted in the poll.

Why did you choose those answers? I think because of the recent incidents we have had. It is good to talk about this.

Dom

[airtwardo 7]

Skydiving is self regulating. What does that mean to you?

Stated that way~
...to me it means Skydiving has an inherent way of thinning the herd, kind of a Darwin thing.

Probably not what you meant, but still an important point to have in the back of ones mind...might help keep safety a priority.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[antonija 0]

I voted for second option. In my opinion as long as I feel secure I'll look out for others if there is anything that could threaten them. But if I start feeling threatened I will save my own ass first and then go back to the "look for others" mode.

I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

[airdvr 210]

there is a 3rd possibility here.

I am responsible for my own actions. I have met all the requirements to undertake this particular activity.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[skybytch 273]

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Skydiving is self regulating. What does that mean to you?

It doesn't mean that I regulate me. It means that if we don't as a group keep injuries and deaths to a minimum, the government can and probably will step in to regulate for us. USPA is the organization that has been tasked with the self-regulation of the sport of skydiving in the US. Other countries directly regulate the sport.

Personal responsibility, on the other hand, means that I am legally responsible for everything about my skydive, and so is anybody I jump with. That doesn't excuse me ethically/morally if I do something that causes someone else to be injured or killed though, especially if I am operating under a piece of paper that says I should be working to a higher standard...

[dgskydive 0]

You are right about the thinning of the herd. No question.

But in thinning the herd. How many others are put at risk by the Darwin candidates actions??? I know, I know. Old argument but you get my drift.

I just think that people forget, that it is the USPA that is self regulating. Not the individual jumpers.

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

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It doesn't mean that I regulate me. It means that if we don't as a group keep injuries and deaths to a minimum, the government can and probably will step in to regulate for us. USPA is the organization that has been tasked with the self-regulation of the sport of skydiving in the US. Other countries directly regulate the sport.

Personal responsibility, on the other hand, means that I am legally responsible for everything about my skydive, and so is anybody I jump with. That doesn't excuse me ethically/morally if I do something that causes someone else to be injured or killed though, especially if I am operating under a piece of paper that says I should be working to a higher standard...

Muah!!

Dom

[BIGUN 1,314]

Self-Regulation means developing the minimal level of proficiency and/or industry standards for the "minimum" threshold of compliance. One can do more than the standards recommendation, but should not do less or lose their affiliation with that governing organization.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[feuergnom 28]

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One can do more than the standards recommendation,

true sentence, but whats with all the people imune to common sense, selfeducation and the ability to listen etc who hurt themselves all the time

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but should not do less.

yeah, what i said above

The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle

dudeist skydiver # 666

[airtwardo 7]

One can do more than the standards recommendation, but should not do less.

You do know we're SKYDIVERS right?!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[BIGUN 1,314]

What WAS I thinking head>

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[kallend 2,027]

I don't agree with either of your definitions.

I think it means that the sport of skydiving is only minimally regulated by the government, and develops its own rules and standards.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[mr_music11 0]

"self regulation" should ALWAYS be in place. Everyone needs to know their own limits. I know that I know MOST of mine and do NOT ever cross those lines. As we all know skydiving is an inherantly dangerous sport. Minimizing risk is the name of the game. With that said, I'll always ask for a gear check or give one without solicitation to ensure that I and others around me are safe. The more safe that we can make this sport, the better! Blue skies!

If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

[Beachbum 0]

This stuff was sort of preached to me by someone no longer with us when he got me into jumping, so I probably reflect a lot of his thoughts, but now I've been in the sport a few years and formed my own opinions about it, I have to say I agree with them.

I feel like it has to be a combination ... what Skybytch said relative to government, and take into account a key phrase from Kallend "the sport of skydiving". To me this means the sport as a whole, drilled down to the individual level. Thus, my take would be that we each have to be responsible for ourselves, and also assist in responsibility for others and the sport as a unit, as we're each able. Obviously, someone with less experience doesn't have as much to offer in this respect, but each person needs to fulfill whatever portion of the role he/she is capable of handling. Unless folks would prefer the government get more involved ...

As long as you are happy with yourself ... who cares what the rest of the world thinks?

[riggerrob 643]

" ... especially if I am operating under a piece of paper that says I should be working to a higher standard...

[dgskydive 0]

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I don't agree with either of your definitions.

I think it means that the sport of skydiving is only minimally regulated by the government, and develops its own rules and standards.

The poll was to more or less get people thinking about it and to get them to give their opinion.

Do you think that we as members and member DZ's should stand up and speak out when we see someone not following these basic rules and standards?

Dom

[Skwrl 56]

Kallend is right.

When people talk about a "self-regulating" organization -- at least in other contexts -- what they mean is that it's not (extensively) regulated by laws or government-promulgated regulation. Instead, we regulate ourselves through our membership in the USPA (and adherence to its requirements).

The FAA is a government agency, but it regulates very little of our activities. Instead, the FAA has permitted the USPA to act as a self-regulating organization.

It's very similar to the relationship between the US Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA. Whether USPA does a better job than FINRA does is a question for Speaker's Corner.

Skwrl Productions - Wingsuit Photography

Northeast Bird School - Chief Logistics Guy and Video Dork

[tigra 0]

Well said! I have nothing to add to that.

[format 1]

We need to look out for each other.

You don't want your day ruined by something you might have prevented.

We need to look out for each other.
We need to look out for each other.
We need to look out for each other.
We need to look out for each other.
We need to look out for each other.
We need to look out for each other.

What goes around, comes later.

[pms07 3]

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I don't agree with either of your definitions.

I think it means that the sport of skydiving is only minimally regulated by the government, and develops its own rules and standards.

Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately there's been plenty of pain sometimes as we work toward development of those standards...

[rmarshall234 14]

To me it means....the same thing a "self regulated" neighborhood meant when I was growing up. In other words....you didn't act out or screw up in front of Mrs... "Crabapple's" house. Or whoever the adult person of authority might be. Because if you did, they would be all over you explaining the right way to conduct yourself. And, that little exchange may find its way to your parents later that day for a second round of explanation.

People that know better, watching out for those that haven't yet learned. That's what self regulation means to me. And, the "Mrs. Crabapples" are us, the instructional staff and senior jumpers in the sport. We either self regulate and work to improve the system, or the FAA steps in and regulates the sport.

[millertime24 8]

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Since I hold multiple instructor ratings, I am obligated to lead by setting a good example.

I am also obligated to help keep junior jumpers alive by advising them on winds, gear checks, etc..

I think you and Skybytch are right on this. I would also be willing to wager that you would be more than happy if someone pointed out something wrong with say your gear. I also wouldn't have a problem with a guy who has 30 jumps asking me if something was wrong with my rig. Never hurts to be sure and what does it hurt to have a quick double check and maybe even a little education?

Noone is above safety. Even the guy with 10,000 jumps under his belt. The jumpers with higher experience that believe this are the ones that I have come to respect the most in this sport.

Muff #5048

[mdrejhon 8]

I have discreetly reported when I got a canopy airspace incursion (a get-it-homitis guy flying a right-hand landing pattern overlapped with my and others' left-hand landing pattern). I did not snitch on who it was because it was still simply yellow alert -- 200 feet of horizontal separation when he turned away from flying towards me at the same altitude as I, but what I did was to ask the manifest to make an announcement about following landing patterns.

I have also, embarassingly, landed in the wrong direction in a main landing zone, and someone looked out for me.

It goes both ways.