A concern - cost?

[guineapiggie101 0]

Yesterday I did the FJC, but was not able to make the jump due to concerns about me being able to safely and comfortably reach the knob on the rig to pull the parachute. The DZ is going to make some adjustments so that I can do it safely. It was also brought up that, if I do want to continue in this sport, that later on, I would probably have to get a rig custom made for me.

If that is the case, how much would that be? And, due to my height and reach issues, would I ever be able to get used gear?

So far, I like what I am learning and can't wait to do the first solo jump. I DO want to continue with the next class and see what else there is.

My husband, on the other hand, thinks I am nuts for wanting to get into this sport. He brought up the question of cost so that made me think a bit. We both have expensive hobbies (him moreso), but he was just wondering how feasible it is. Most hobbies I have been involved in (aka fencing), I have had to have gear made up for me, and that has been a bit $$$.

[Ron 10]

Without more details we can't really help.

What kind of "reach issue"?

Gear is expensive. Figure used at around 3-4k and new can easily go into 7k.

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If that is the case, how much would that be? And, due to my height and reach issues, would I ever be able to get used gear?

Again, without details it is difficult to say. But if you need custom gear, used will be hard to find.

BUT, that does not mean it could not be modified (like changing the rig from throwout to ripcord with a leg mount....ect.)

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Joellercoaster 6]

Some of us are pretty much stuck with buying new containers.

Remember you can always put second-hand canopies in them, which makes it less painful

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[guineapiggie101 0]

Quote

Without more details we can't really help.

What kind of "reach issue"?

Gear is expensive. Figure used at around 3-4k and new can easily go into 7k.

Quote

If that is the case, how much would that be? And, due to my height and reach issues, would I ever be able to get used gear?

Again, without details it is difficult to say. But if you need custom gear, used will be hard to find.

BUT, that does not mean it could not be modified (like changing the rig from throwout to ripcord with a leg mount....ect.)

I have short arms and short legs, but the body structure of a normal person. Due the way the pullout knob is positioned, I have a hard time comfortably reaching the knob to pull it.

And yes, the DZ suggested some of the above modifications that can be used.

So far, I like what I am learning and I can't wait till I can do my jump. I just am proactive and wondering how big of an outlay this will be for me, if I were to continue with it.

Cost analysis is always a good thing.

[JohnRich 4]

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I have short arms and short legs, but the body structure of a normal person. Due the way the pullout knob is positioned, I have a hard time comfortably reaching the knob to pull it.

Get a rig with an old-fashioned ripcord, mounted on the main lift web in front. That way all of your handles are right on your chest where you can see them, and reach them.

You are also going to want to make sure that you can reach the steering toggles on the risers after the canopy deploys.

Accommodations can be made. We have people in this sport with missing arms, abnormal arms and artificial limbs - and they all jump safely and proficiently.

[Bertt 0]

I can help. i don't need more information. (Well, I can't really help you much, even if I had lots of information). What I can do is point out that the cost of a custom made container and harness is only a small part of the cost of skydiving. You can still get used main and reserve canopies. You can get a used AAD. You will probably want to get a new jumpsuit made for your size. If you add up the total cost of your equipment, instruction, trips to the DZ, beer, etc., the cost of a properly sized harness and container will not seem so large over several years of skydiving.

You don't have to outrun the bear.

[DSE 5]

Betty,
We should be able to get you squared up for AFF, but you'll be looking at a custom rig as a sport jumper, almost for certain. While there may be a used rig out there that will fit you, finding it may be very difficult.
John's point about reaching toggles is a good/important one, so we'll want to put whatever container you consider into the hanging system.
A leg deployment system isn't far-fetched for your body type, either.
Grab Lob, Tom, Lelo, we'll show you some options.
Gonna see you again this weekend?

[vanair 0]

Welcome to the sport!, I don't think it's a $ issue with your husband. Ask almost any female skydiver. They are usually limited to relationships with other skydivers cause all the other men are intimidated shitless by women that have backbones where they have wishbones.

[davelepka 4]

As others have sated, you don't 'need' a custom rig right off the bat, but you will need a rig customized to fit your needs.

A smaller harness can be adjusted to fit you perfectly, and that typically adds $250 to $350 to the price of a used rig.

Altering the type of deployment system, or the location of the handle is also an easy fix, and will probably cost an extra $100 to $200 depending on what options you go with.

An extra short set of risers will help you reach the toggles, and new risers run between $100 and $150.

If you factor in an extra $500 on top of the cost of a used rig, you should be able to have one altered to suit your needs. A brand new container with no canopies would be in excess of $2000, probably closer to $2500. You can find a nice used container for $700 or $800, so even after the added cost of the modifications, you're still at half (or less) the cost of a new one.

As far as overall costs go, figure $1500 to $2000 to get fully trained and licensed (it varies depending on how many jumps it takes). Add to that another $5000 for all your equipment (used rig, new jumpsuit, helmet and altimeter), and you have a pretty good idea of what it takes to be a skydiver. Beyond that, upkeep on your rig will run you $150 to $200 a year.

Then there's the price of jumps. They run about $25 each once you have a license and all your gear. Add $5 if you want to have your rig packed for you. So if you want to make 10 jumps a month, it's $250 or $300 a month to be a skydiver. If you want to make 10 jumps per week, it's closer to $1000/month. It's one of those things that can be done affordably after you have your license and gear, but very few people do it that way. Most spend all (or more) or their dough on jumps and worry about the rest later.

[guineapiggie101 0]

Davelepka, thanks for laying out the potential cost of this endeavor. It is a bit pricey I see but from the way you describe it, gear and stuff can be gotten later and/or in steps.

First things first though, going through the classes and getting the license.
Vanair, my husband tends to be practical about things and wants to know if this is even feasible for me. But then he also thinks some of the stuff I like doing is a bit off the wall.

DSE, I will be there Friday morning to try and get my jump in. Lob got a hold of me today and gave me some options and we are going to try it out. I hope it all works out safely so I can jump, since I am stoked about this and want to go onto the next step.

I don't think reaching the toggles will be a problem, it is more of being able to comfortably reach the knob to pull the chute out. Yesterday, they did try me out on the "hanging system" and had a mock layout of the toggles and I was able to reach it.

[Zlew 0]

Best of luck in your new adventure, and keep us posted on how things go!

[skyrider 0]

How small are we talking ? Dwarf? I've known a couple women under 5 feet tall, that had to have gear made, but it cost the same as any rig does!

If it is dwarfism, then you will need your canopies rigged with the brakes moved down, no biggy!

Welcome to the sky, your gonna love it!

[riggerrob 643]

I suspect that your primary problem is a long container on a short person. Sorry to say, but most student containers are LONG, because they contain large, docile canopies. As soon as you graduate from student status, you will be able down-size to smaller canopies more consistent with your weight and container lengths more consistent with your arm length.

Back before the skydiving industry standardized on Bottom of Container, Throw-out pilot chutes, we experimented with a bewildering array of pilot-chute locations.

Early parachutes mostly had spring-loaded main pilot-chutes - like reserves. Spring-loaded pilot-chutes are a pain to pack and have a variety of "issues," besides, packers will curse you if you buy a rip-cord activated, spring-loaded pilot-chute.

The first throw-out pilot-chutes were stuffed into jeans pockets, but fashion soon shifted to pockets sewn to bellybands. Bellybands fell out of fashion after we learned that some skydivers are not bright enough to dress themselves in the morning. My first rig had its main pilto-chute on the bellyband.

Around 1980, a few manufacturers (Handbury?) experimented with pilot-chute pockets sewn to the Main Lift Web.

A few manufacturers toyed with mounting pilot-chutes on the front of leg straps (between the Main Lift Web) and the buckle. My second rig had the pilot-chute mounted on the front of the leg strap.

An interim solution to twisted bellybands was sewing a pocket onto the rear of the right leg strap (ROL). That was fashionable during the 1980s. My third rig had a leg-mounted pilot-chute.

Then - around 1990 - the industry standardized on throw-out pilot-chutes stuffed into Bottom Of Container pockets. A decade later, American student rigs standardized on BOC.

There is one other method of main deployment: Pull-Out that never became fashionable in significant numbers. Few modern packers know how to close Pull-Outs correctly.

In conclusion, you might have to buy a custom-made harness, but you are definitely going to have to work with a manufacturer or Master rigger to customize your pilot-chute location to make it easy to save your own life.