kai2k1 0 #1 March 7, 2005 First dont get in a hurry to do anything. Take your time and relax. Skydiving will still be around when you aren't Get proficient on your belly even if it takes you more time than you would like. Always be aware of your altitude. Your life depends on it. Swooping and freeflying are cool acts performed by cool people with a load of experience. Dont be in a rush to try them. Fly with a conservative wingloading. USE a Cypres or other AAD. Make sure your AAD is in date and functioning. Get coaching. Get Coaching Get coaching. Practice your EP's every time you put your rig on. When you decide to start freeflying use an audible, if not use 2 of them. Do not freefly without the proper gear. Know where you are going to land, and stick with it. If you are faced with a long spot after opening find a safe and suitable area to land. Be prepared to walk. Walking a long way is good compared to a short ride. Learn from the mistakes of others. Do not become a statistic. Learn how to track. Track like your life depends on it, because it does. Remember that there is a fine line between life and death in this sport. Do not become complacent. This sport will eat you alive if you do. I dont claim to have all the answers and my knowlege in this sport would barely fill a thimble. But i thought that someone could benefit from this post. There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #2 March 7, 2005 Two more - learn to use your eyes as your primary altimeter and don't get caught up in "being cool syndrome" - just have fun. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 March 7, 2005 QuoteGet coaching. Get Coaching Get coaching. There is a hure difference between freefall coaching and canopy coaching. Investing $1000's of dollars into freefall coaching won't do a bit of good if you don't survive the landings. Canopy coaching is rapidly becoming availble from the best for a very chaep price. You can take a canopy course for the cost of asprin from the hospital if you break a leg or worse.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #4 March 7, 2005 I should have ammended that since most of the incidents we read about are from canopy problems. There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foggy 0 #5 March 8, 2005 QuoteKnow where you are going to land, and stick with it. If you are faced with a long spot after opening find a safe and suitable area to land. Be prepared to walk. Walking a long way is good compared to a short ride. I think these contradict each other a little. Perhaps land safe, not close would be a better description. Landing Priorities: 1. Keep the wing level for landing. 2. Land in an open area avoiding obstacles. 3. Flare to at least half brakes for landing. Foggy D21109 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #6 March 8, 2005 QuoteDo not freefly without the proper gear. Do not become complacent. This sport will eat you alive if you do. Check your gear religiously. It's far too easy to misroute a chest strap, among other things.Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #7 March 8, 2005 QuoteMake sure your AAD is in date and functioning ...and turn it on at the LANDING ZONE ALTITUDE. Not at home in the morning, or at any other elevation... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #8 March 8, 2005 Hard to beat the Golden Rules from Roger Nelson: 1. Land safely under an open canopy. Set up a good landing pattern. Look out for aircraft and other jumpers. Keep your eyes open for obstacles. Don't turn close to the ground. 2. Land safe, not close. Go for the safer area and the longer walk. 3. Leave room for error. Stuff happens. 4. Stay ahead of the jump. Know what's supposed to happen next - 5. Always have a plan. - and know what to do about it - 6. Never give up. - and don't stop skydiving if something unexpected happens, "It isn't over 'til it's over. " 7. Know thy altitude. And what that altitude means to you on this jump. 8. Know when to say "no". It's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yoink 321 #9 March 8, 2005 Quote Know where you are going to land, and stick with it. Some good advice there, but I'd make this one a lot clearer - 'Get Home Syndrome' has injured more than one jumper because they knew they were going to land in the pit when they took off and stuck with it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #10 March 8, 2005 True, it is pretty broad. Perhaps i should have stated that to pick a safe spot and land there. Dont get the "get home syndrome" There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #11 March 9, 2005 Number 8 has always been one of my favorites... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
