I don't feel safe at my dropzone

[crazymel 0]

Wow, I haven't posted in what seems like forever. But I need to share my frustration. So, here's the deal. (Quick background - I am a baby jumper with about 135 jumps, Mirage container and sabre2 170 canopy) Okay, soooome time ago, Mirage recalled certain rigs with a possible defect on the reserve pin, and mine was one of it. My home COUNTRY rigger (and friend of mine) told me about it, and the next time I jumped at my local dropzone, I asked the rigger (also NSO) to please test my pin. He performed this test by manually bending the pin, and then bending it straight again with the help of a pair of pliers. Gave me the green light so I jumped! During a conversation with my rigger friend, I mentioned the test to him, and he almost had a heart attack. Told me to IMMEDIATELY have it checked out by different rigger. Which I did, and my rig was grounded. Mirage was nice enough to replace the handle at no cost other than shipping (US$60). But then a little red light went off in my head not to trust him as a rigger. The other day, my reserve was due for a repack, and I didn't want him to pack it, but as I leave my rig at the club, he did. Only thing is, the night before he was passed out drunk on bar counter. I realise he wasn't drunk when he packed my reserve the following day, but I didn't feel safe. I talked the chairman about this, got advise to write letter, and state any other facts/concerns. I thought we lived in a democratic world, but I was wrong. Ever since that letter, I received threats, my car was "vandalised" (skydiving stickers scratched off with key) and after my jump today (the one packer made snotty remark and said I can pack my own rig) I packed and realised the hectic line twist I had on opening was maybe more than coincidence. There was a figuer 8 knot in my one steering line. HOW DO I GET A FIGURE 8 KNOT IN A STEERING line THAT WAS PICKED UP EXTREMELY NICE ON LANDING ETC?? I struggled my ass off to "unwind" the knot down the line. I can't prove anything, but I almost never have linetwist on my canopy (and nothing that severe)... And my only crime was to state my concerns about general safety at the club. (But then again, I was told fun first by one of the senior members.) Rumours are being spread, people turned against me (real friends stand out hecticly right now) I won't go down to their level, but I seriously don't feel safe anymore.

Life is for the LIVING!!!!!

[BIGUN 1,395]

Are you venting or are you asking for assistance in resolving the situation for all parties involved?

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

[falxori 0]

where are all the people with the "never sue your DZ and fellow skydivers" mantra?

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[Dagny 0]

If you truly feel your safety is compromised at your home dropzone, then you need to find a new place to jump. There are something like 12 dropzones in SA, surely you can find one that will meet your safety needs. If you can't change the system, change yourself...if you feel like your life is on the line.

Since you have concerns over reserve repacks, then pay someone else to do it or bring your rig to another location and have it done. Pack your own main so you don't have to utilize the dz services.

However, complaining that your rigger wasn't up to speed on a mirage recall and that he was passed out at the bar the night before repacking your reserve are minor issues compared to claiming that your packers are sabotaging your rig. That is not a claim you can make unsubstantiated because it could have a serious negative impact on people's livelihoods. That brings me back to this...if you feel like the riggers would band against you to sabotage you in an effort to scare, injure, or kill you then you need to find a new place to jump or start packing your own stuff. And if you want to pursue it with the DZO or legally, then you need to start looking for some evidence of malice.

If you want to repair things at your home dz, then I would suggest giving things a cooling off period and, perhaps, talking with the rigger in question to see if a resolution can be met. Or maybe even using a third party mediator to help.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic.
-Salvador Dali

[skydiver30960 0]

Who did you write the letter to?

Did you try to approach the rigger and voice your concerns to him personally or use another LOCAL figure of authority to voice your concerns to him?

Did you indicate to the rigger your concerns about how he tested your pin? (Although I must admit his testing method sounds more than a little bit shady to me, not at all in line with the CW bulletin)

If you felt unhappy about your rigger's condition when he repacked your reserve, did you ask him to repack it when he was in better shape?

My point: your message sez you talked to somebody else at the DZ, but did you try to talk to the rigger?

If the letter you wrote was to the rigger personally, I don't think there'd be too much reason for him (and his buddies at the DZ) to be stressed. BUT, if you wrote a letter to a governing body (such as the U.S.'s USPA or FAA, sorry I don't know the South African equivalents) regarding the rigger's performance without first adressing them with him then I might understand their concerns more.

We try to be a self-policing sport. Part of that involves being comfortable enough with each other to question each other and call each other out when we feel something hasn't been properly handled. When you wrote the letter, if it WAS to a governing agency, the rigger and folks at the DZ may have felt that you "went outside the lines" and exposed the rigger and/or the DZ to (possibly) unnecessary outside scrutiny without first bringing it up with him one-on-one.

Was your line twist caused by the "figure eight" knot? Quite possibly. Was this sabotage? I dunno. Things happen with our gear that we wouldn't expect to happen, that's why we do so many gear checks and regular inspections. My gut feeling is that the friction between you and your buddies might have made you a bit paranoid. Skydivers are a passionate bunch, we argue and fight often, but to consider killing another skydiver?

Next time, try talking one-on-one with the person with whom you have an issue. Then, try to involve other people in positions of authority at the DZ. Then, if your concerns remain unanswered and you feel your safety (and of others) is still compromised, then by all means feel free to notify any authorities you feel necessary, IMHO.

Elvisio "got a little long winded" Rodriguez

[Michele 1]

O.K., I may be taking a bit of a different position than the others, and I'm gonna codicil it with this caveat: I was not there, I don't have both sides of the story, and I don't know exactly what happened...

But I gotta say, Mel, if you don't feel safe, then take whatever steps you find necessary to take care of yourself.

People who, for whatever reason, retaliate on a jumper's gear are people who, imho, need to be "outed." People who are so childish as to vandalize someone's car need to grow up, and fast - especially if they're jumpers....we will share the air with these sorts of folks, and those are not the kind of people I want to share my airspace with.

What ever happened to doing the right thing, even if it makes you unpopular? In this sport especially, where we shriek about integrity and personal responsibility, there is this glaring, apparent "credibility gap" (hey, we're in Speaker's, I have to put something political in there....) and this gap is so easily overlooked. We back our friends just because they are our friends, regardless of them being right or wrong. That's not a true friend; that's a clique. Most of the clique behavior just makes people uncomfortable or ruins a reputation, regardless of the truth of the problem (if there is one to begin with). In this situation (and granted, it's a fairly extreme example), this clique is responding to something that could've cost someone her life...and when they did the right thing (i.e. speaking out about it), she is persecuted and her car is vandalized.

That's full of shit.

Mel, you hang in there, find a new dz, and take care of yourself the way you know - with a new rigger, to start with.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[sundevil777 102]

Quote

He performed this test by manually bending the pin, and then bending it straight again with the help of a pair of pliers. Gave me the green light so I jumped!

That rigger should lose his ticket for that. What a moron!

Complaining about that should not bring reprisals.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[crazymel 0]

Firtsly, let me apologise. I realised I didn't state all the facts (tried to kinda keep it short as internet cafe was about to close, but really needed to 'talk it over') I did talk to the rigger in question, but his response was that it is personal, and if it's war I want' it's war I'll get. I tried my best to keep things 'professional'. I first went to the club's chairman, and asked for advise. (Most of the governing bodies are at our dropzone - only have 2 clubs in this country, btw, not South Africa) He advised me to write letter to NSTC (which are four local skydivers). I talked it over (off the record) with one of the NSTC members, and he also advised me to write a letter to NSTC (also stating other incidents that was of concern to me). I was later advised that it was not the right way to do it, and I apologised for that. I had my reserve repacked by another rigger before I jumped it again. I also have to state that it is only one packer that is snotty, and the others are beautiful people. The one helped me sort out my rig (after I left it in packing area to get cooldrink) and found it 'messed up' a bit. (Turned container through lines)

I do not want another dropzone. Most of what I know were taught to me by these guys. I loved this dropzone with all my heart (and the thought of seeing someone get hurt scared the shit out of me, hence the letter.) All I wanted was to address safety issues, to jump and KNOW that everything humanly possible was done to ensure a safe and fun jump. I do not wanna be scared to go for my reserve. I do not wanna repack my rig before every jump just to be sure some childish prick didn't mess with it. I want a dropzone that even a baby jumper like me can question the 'main guys' and discuss issues. I have never felt unsafe to skydive (or base-jump) till now.

Life is for the LIVING!!!!!

[FallRate 0]

Hi Mel! Nice to see you posting again. Sorry it has to be such a bummer of a topic. I hope verything works out well.

FallRate

[tigra 0]

Hey Mel,

If there was another rigger available to do your repack, why didn't you ask him to do it in the first place? You always have a right to decide who works on your rig! I don't know how to comment on the rest of it, aside for saying that if you really do suspect someone messed with you gear, that's pretty damn serious. If you're going to continue to jump there in spite of feeling that way, I hope you are prepared to pack for yourself 100% of the time and always keep your gear in sight or under lock and key. Personally, I would jump at a dz where I felt the need to do that!

[Gravitymaster 0]

First off, have you given any thought to getting a rigger certification for yourself? IMO if you do nothing more than learn how to take care of your own gear and do your own repacks, it's worth it and the cost of the course is easily recoverable.

Second, you sould have gotten a copy of the Capewell recall and read it yourself so you would know what test was required. It was posted right here on Dz.Com. That way you would have known that bending the pin and then straightening it wasn't the correct test procedure.

Third, since you didn't take the responsibility to educate yourself as to the proper test procedure, you should have gone to the rigger afterwards and pulled him aside and addressed your concern about the test he performed directly to him instead of smearing him and writing letters. I'm sure he views you as a threat to his livelyhood, now. Based on his reaction when you expressed your concerns, you should go to another rigger for future repacks, but I wouldn't make a big issue out of it. Just stop doing business with him.
This rigger sounds as if he has issues and perhaps he is even an alchoholic, based on his reaction and childish behavior. Bending the pin and then straightening it is NOT what the recall requires, it has the potential of being downright dangerous. On the other hand you still have to live with him if you are going to continue to jump there. Sounds to me like a bit of a clique but thats pretty normal in the skydiving community.

[Courteney 0]

The problemo would be that the rigger in question is also the rigger examiner!!! I printed the capewell doc and spoke to the rigger about it but he came up with a poor excuse. At the time, I didn't have the info I have now. I would'nt mind becoming a rigger myself but I reckon I'd go do it in SA.
Mel did approach another rigger before the repack took place but he tuned he was too busy and that she must just accept what she gets. But basically it's come down to a clique that has formed who are childish enough to make threats and make not so subtle messages. I know that a clique is normal in skydiving but the way that they are going about it is just plain wrong. End of the day the guilty will get what they deserve. But Mel and I won't stoop to their level.
Why can't we all just get along?
Stay safe out there boys and girls.

Cheers.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[tigra 0]

Quote

Mel did approach another rigger before the repack took place but he tuned he was too busy and that she must just accept what she gets.

Ok, so she allows a rigger she claims she did NOT TRUST to repack her rig, and then makes a stink about it? I don't get that at all! If my rigger isn't avaialable to pack for me, I've got a few options, one of them being to stay on the ground until he or another rigger I trust can do my repack. One option I don't think any of us should have is to use someone whom you don't trust instead!

And IMO, cliques are not "normal" in skydiving. Groups, maybe, friends, of course! But clique implies something entirely different and if your dz is "cliquish" and exclusive to that extent, maybe its time to find a new one.

[Courteney 0]

No, you misunderstood,
She approached another rigger that she trusted and he said he was busy, she must accept what she gets. She did not approach the rigger in question nor gave him permission in any way to touch her rig. The way it works at our dz, (might not be the best way), is there's a board with reserve repack dates on them and whenever one is close to expiring, a rigger will just take it and repack it.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[tigra 0]

I don't think I misunderstood, unless you are telling me at your dz you don't have the right to choose who packs your reserve. Is that the case? I certainly hope not! If you're happy with all of the riggers and have no problem with a random system like that, fine. She was NOT happy with all the riggers, so it was up to her to have her rig repacked by someone she trusted!

My gear + my money + my life (potentially) = my choice and if I waive that choice (which she effectively did) I have to accept the consequences. Nobody works on my gear without my permission! Even if I drop my rig off at our gear store where there is more than one rigger, I still specify who I want repacking my rig and its been that way since I purchased my first rig! Now, that may mean the difference between waiting an hour or a week for my rig (if my rigger isn't immediately available), but again, that's my choice.

[gemini 0]

Quote

...a rigger will just take it and repack it.

I can see this for dz owned rigs, but why would a dz take on this liability? If a rig does not get timely repacked under this policy and the jumper is injured due to a reserve problem, I bet a court or jury would rule in favor of the jumper at the expense of the dz and rigger.

Blue skies,

Jim

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

I seriously don't feel safe anymore.

Then don't jump (there) anymore.

Sounds like someone's whining. There's no whining in skydiving.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[wmw999 2,514]

Not the US. So there is a whole lot less threat of lawsuit no matter what happens.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[gemini 0]

You're right! I forget how suit happy we are in the states.

Blue skies,

Jim

[Courteney 0]

She specifically stated that she didn't want that particular rigger to touch her rig but he went about it while she wasn't there. I agree with you that it's your rig, your money, your life, your choice. We managed to get another rigger to repack it but now there's alot of shit we have to deal with. If there was another dz in this country we probably would jump there but there isn't really. But we'll see what happens, who knows maybe we move to SA sometime. To somewhere where one is free to question the short comings of others who should know better and not get threats and property vandalised as a result. Time will tell...

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[dgskydive 0]

Sounds like a bad situation. I wouldn't jump there anymore and I would report that rigger to who ever gives out the ratings over there.

Quote

I asked the rigger (also NSO) to please test my pin. He performed this test by manually bending the pin, and then bending it straight again with the help of a pair of pliers.

Any rigger that is stupid enough to do that to a pin and then use it to close a rig is an idiot! He is a danger. I don't think you are whining. Next time I wouldn't leave my rig at the DZ though. If that is the way they do repacks.

You don't just grap someones gear and do what you want to it. I don't care if you are a rigger or not. It is still your property. They can keep you on the ground but not fault you for wanting someone you trust to work on your gear.

Be a squeaky wheel! Don't lay down.

There are only a few people that I will let touch my gear. If one of the asshats that I don't trust touches it without me giving my permission they will get more then they bargined for.

Sucks that you don't have to many places to go to jump. Move to the states and use any rigger you want! It's your gear, it's your life! Fuck em!

Dom