Blind_Jumper 0 #1 August 22, 2004 While jumping at Lake Elsinore on August 21st, I had an expires that I have never heard anyone else ever having...Looking back on it I am finding it funnier and funnier. I was on my third jump for the day. Was doing some freeflying. Used a three way head down exit. Held it for about 5 to 10 seconds...at about 11,000 to 10,000ft my goggles split in half and flew off, taking my glasses with them. I went to a lazy boy and created my own new hand signal...waving my hands in my face..."I'm blind" or "Can't see squat" the 2 guys tried to get back to me cause I was supposed to be flying base...thought I was crazy and couldn't understand my new signal...eventually desided that I was either crazy or to unstable to come near. I ended up landing on the grass, but that was cause I was aiming for the green, I am legally blind without my glasses... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjiimmyyt 0 #2 August 22, 2004 And thats why I use a Z1 when I am wearing my glasses "This isn't an iron lung, people. You can actually disconnect and not die." -Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamjenner 0 #3 August 23, 2004 well at least you made it safe onto the ground! that's the important thing ever find the goggles or glasses? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #4 August 23, 2004 That story gave me flashbacks....... I knew a guy who was totally blind who used to jump at Cleveland Parachute Center several years ago. Big Brian took him on what at the time was known as a Belly Bitch. Kind of an inverted fucked up rodeo dive. Well, the blind dude had two audible altimeters and two radios and a guy on the ground would talk him down. Somehow he ended up landing in a tree in some Amish dude's back yard. The whole family came running out to see if he was O.K and he said he was fine, he just needed some help getting out of the tree. One of the Amish dudes stretched his hand out to give him some help and thought it was strange that the blind guy couldn't find his hand - he then explained to the rather astonished Amish family that he was blind. Once he was finally out of the tree he kindly asked if it was O.K to use their phone to call the DZ for a ride when the Amish guy explained - We don't have a phone - We're Amish Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeattheDrums 0 #5 August 23, 2004 Quote ever find the goggles of glasses? Yeah he found glasses after I hauled him down to LensCrafter... Fun Dive, I was thinking "We didnt talk about that hand signal before hand..." A thunder of jets in a clear blue sky, a streak of gray and a cheerful "Hi" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brits17 0 #6 August 23, 2004 QuoteAnd thats why I use a Z1 when I am wearing my glasses Hehehe, my Z1 visor flipped up while in HD. And that's why I use an open face when freely flying. _______________________ aerialkinetics.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guru312 0 #7 August 23, 2004 Many years ago, I taught a totally blind guy to jump. This was way back before AFF and everyone jumped T-10s or modified 28s. We put a CB radio on the guy and talked him into the DZ. He did very well and landed closer to the peas than another student on his lift. Parachutist printed an article with pictures because it was one of the first blind jumpers. Teaching the guy, Harry Charlesworth, was one of the high points of my parachuting career and a very, very emotional experience for both of us. As a matter of fact, we both cried afterward. It was a major thing having him trust me so completely.Guru312 I am not DB Cooper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blind_Jumper 0 #8 August 23, 2004 Now you know the hand signal for the next possible time...but let's hope there is never a next time that I lose my glasses... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #9 August 23, 2004 Pet peeve of mine... there's no such thing as 'legally blind without glasses'. Since I work with people who ARE legally blind, that phrase just drives me batty And this is why I wear contacts when jumping... one day contacts so even if one or two blow away, I have a stash of more in my car. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blind_Jumper 0 #10 August 24, 2004 Well as for the 20/200 yeah try 20/700...correctable to 20/20 but need bifocals so I can read things closer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blind_Jumper 0 #11 August 24, 2004 Where do you teach at?? Doc says I am going to go blind so if I do. I still want to be able to skydive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #12 August 24, 2004 Quote Hehehe, my Z1 visor flipped up while in HD. And that's why I use an open face when freely flying. Your visor flipped UP while you were head DOWN? How does that work? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
