Rhonda66 0 #1 March 24, 2002 Hey Everyone -I am ashamed to even post this, but perhaps it will serve as a reminder to all of us to be careful out there.I have always been the paranoid type of jumper who always goes over my gear over and over to make sure it's ready to jump before I get on the plane.Well, last week I was in Eloy with my husband for the week. On thursday I was in the otter about to make my fifth jump of the day when the woman sitting across from me noticed at about 7K that my chest strap was misrouted! I couldn't even believe it when I looked down and saw that she was absolutely right - I like to think that I would have caught it before I got out of the plane when I did my final gear check, but I'll never know.As far as I'm concerned she saved my life the other day - I just want to say "thanks again" to her - unfortunately I don't know your name, but you know who you are if you're reading this. It amazes me that someone else was looking out for my well-being and the well-being of other jumpers on the plane that day when I was so careless myself. We should all follow her incredible example.Be careful everyone and check your gear and the gear of those around you in the plane! If I could misroute my chest strap, anyone can! Thanks a million to my savior in Eloy! I definitely owe you one :)Rhonda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #2 March 24, 2002 I've done the same thing for 3 people so far,,, You owe her lots of beer Pass it on.. Look at everyones chest strap from now on in the plane. be safe Semper Fi ..... http:// www.aahit.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #3 March 24, 2002 Thank goodness we have others looking out for us. While my life wasn't likely at risk, last year, on jump run, my DZO pointed out to me that my helmet strap was undone. Ever since then, I've tried to double-check the others in the plane... today, my jump partner's pilot chute was almost halfway outta his boc pouch ... I'm glad to hear, Rhonda66 that your story ended the way it did - not the way that lady at Lodi had her story end last year..."Men weren't meant to rideWith clouds between their knees"Five For Fighting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #4 March 24, 2002 Well, I'm glad I'm not the only schmuck who has done it then...and I'm glad to know we're looking out for each other.Rhonda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #5 March 24, 2002 Rabbit got me on jump number 44,, Most of us have done it.. I had mine routed around and tied in a knot on rental gear. I MIGHT have been alright.. But I felt like an ass myself Needless to say Rabbit got some beer that night Semper Fi ..... http:// www.aahit.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #6 March 24, 2002 QuoteI've done the same thing for 3 people so far,,,Same here... I've caught a couple chest straps, a few hackeys tucked too far in, twisted straps, cutaway handles folded under, etc etcJust use your eyeballs people. Glance around at everyone on the plane for simple stuff like this. Offer a full gear check to the people next to you. You could save a life.Never argue with stupid people.They just drag you down 2 their level & beat you with experience Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #7 March 24, 2002 not to take the serious ness outa this thread but... i will check every females chest strap from now on...and even the guys's to...who could not look at boobies next to a chest strap.."i swear i was not staring, i was making sure your chest strap was routed properly"and if it's clay i'm checkin...... "dude, those are some huge man boobs"........"i may not go to heven, i hope you go to hell"-C.C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #8 March 24, 2002 You reach over and give the strap a tug too? With your teeth?I don't suffer from insanity - I enjoy every minute of it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy 0 #9 March 24, 2002 Definately,,one of the things I like about this sport,, gear checks,, chest strap looks a lil loose,, hmm these leg straps could be tucked in a lil more,, hee hee,,, ok seriously,, I like the way we all look out for each other,, it's the only sport I know of were ya trust someone else that much,, an when someone asks me to check there gear it's an honor,, I remember the first time my JM asked me to pin check him on my level 7 AFF,, I said sure,, an did,, an then told him thanks an gave him a big manly hug,, he had this twinkle in his eye that really made me feel I was making progress,,, Eloy next weekend!! Cant wait!Don't read this shit down here,, it's nonsense,,, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #10 March 24, 2002 QuoteThank goodness we have others looking out for us. Let me tell you about another angle to this -- if you see something say something. Last weekend at ZHills, Lynn and I gave each other our customary gear checks, me checking her first, ending with her slapping the back of my container to show all is ok. After we got to 1000', I undid my helmet and seatbelt, reached to my chest strap to take it out of the keeper and get my goggles and what do I see? My chest strap is misrouted! I tapped Lynn on the shoulder and pointed it out to her, saying "You missed something." She said she had seen it but "knew you would see it when you got your goggles." When we got down, I went over the whole thing -- what if we had had to get out before I retrieved my goggles, etc.? Lynn knows my routine and felt that because of it there was no problem -- I reminded her that the routine is not always under my control; I then told her the bottom line -- if you see something, say something!I have done this with people far more experienced than I -- the reactions have been one of two: they were not aware of the problem I pointed out and thanked me, or they were aware of the situation and had a plan (like my goggles), but thanked me anyway for being alert. Never got laughed at or had someone get mad at me. I can't stress this too much -- if you see something, say something! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #11 March 24, 2002 True, true - never assume anything - point it out!Rhonda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #12 March 25, 2002 It certainly happens to everybody. One day when there wasn't a manifestor at a DZ that I was jumping at,(No calls over PA I mean) I nearly missed my plane, so I threw my gear on, and got a safety check from a skydiver with 3,000 jumps who is aso a rigger. He said OK your'e good to go, so off I went. As it was really cold, cieling was low etc. we were to jump at 3,500 from a 182. The gal accross from me pointed out that my harness was twisted. Should I have needed to deploy my reserve.......anyway it really does pay to be aware and not hurry. The price of a lost jump is nothing. There were two very important lessons learned that day.CheersIt only takes a little pixie dust...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
