I'll accept advice from skydivers who have (>) or (=) or (<)...your jump number

[Vertifly 0]

For me it would certainly depend on the area of discipline we are talking about. I used to have a different philosophy about it. I'd like to know if anyone else cares to share their veiwpoint on taking advice around the DZ...



Perhaps I'm guilty of some obscure form of discrimination. Guilty as charged. But when I was learning to skydive I made it a point to listen to the top people around. (Probably the smart thing to do at the time - being self-driven to learn and not knowing the environment well enough.)

After a while and gaining some numbers, I found myself closely discriminating based on numbers. Why?... Who knows?, but I had it in the back of my head. Of course, the arena of skydiving is a much more clear picture after having been in the sport for a few years.

Some of the most knowledgable people in skydiving aren't avid jumpers themselves. They include riggers, pilots, students who have a MAL different from yours, DZ owners who aren't current anymore (you know you you are!!!), and even the grounds-keepers at our beloved DZs.

Please vote and let us know.

[JohnMitchell 16]

Most the people teaching me to freefly have fewer jumps than me, but they have taught me most of what I know about freeflying. Most of the people showing me hot RW stuff have fewer jumps than me, but they sure know a lot. Anyone who won't listen to someone just because they have "fewer jumps" is probably someone I don't want to be in the air with.

[Darius11 12]

Right now I listen to every one.
If the person giving the advice is not an AFF instructor I always ask my AFF instructors what they think about the advice.
I will keep doing that.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[RyanofOZ 0]

I think everyone can learn something from another skydiver reguardless of jump numbers. I dont think I will get swooping advice from a student, but I will always listen to what others have to say. I think one of the problems in this sport is the "skygod" complex some people have and refuse to listen to "low" number jumpers about anything. I keep my mouth shut when I dont know what I am talking aobut, but I have no problem offering an opinion when relevent. I think the same for when I ask a question of another jumper. In the end, its advice and not gospel. Take it all for what it is and you wont have a problem

Oz

[crutch 0]

Jump numbers after a couple hundred or so have very little to do with the skill/experience level of a given skydiver. I listen to everyone, you can always learn something. Never think you are so good that very few people are better than you, it will bite you on the ass!

blue skies,

art

[quade 4]

Early in a skydiver's career it's probably wisest to listen to people that have been in the sport and specific discipline for a much longer period of time.

For more experienced skydivers, it depends on the specifics of the situation. Listen to everyone, but correlate that with what you already know and be open to new techniques. It is amazingly easy to underestimate people in this sport. The newbie sitting next to you -may- know more about aerodynamics than your AFF instructor. Maybe not, but you'll never know unless you listen and compare notes.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[PrairieDoug 0]

Everyone is either an example or a warning.

[weegegirl 2]

It really depends on the situation. I doubt I would take advice from someone with less than 100 jumps... but I wouldn't rule it out. However, I don't only listen to those with equal or more. Why? Because I'm a freeflyer mainly... there are others that are mainly belly flyers that I would gladly take some advice from if I were doing a bigway with them. This weekend I took advice from a few people with less jumps than me because I was trying BirdMan for the first time.

Most everyone is qualified to give advice in some area.

[slotperfect 7]

I find great value in placing myself in the company of those much more experienced than I am. However, I keep open eyes and an open mind to be able to learn from anybody. For example, those who are fresh out of a USPA Instructor Course that I attended years ago may have the details on the latest and greatest teaching techniques. I have learned from people of all skill levels, applied what works for me, and have become a better skydiver as a result.

Arrive Safely

John

[Vertifly 0]

Quote

Everyone is either an example or a warning.

But how are low-experience jumpers going to know the difference? If a local 'skygod' hook it low accidentally, then YEAH, regardless of experience you know that this person made a mistake.

What if a local skydiver, who you know has been around longer than you, advises you to upgrade to a collapsible pilot chute because it will improve your performance under canopy?

Tell me, is this an "example of what to do" or a "warning of what not to do". I would argue that it is neither and both, isn't it? Sometimes the correct path isn't going to be soooo clear.

My point behind all of this is that, as sky-flyers and canopy pilots, it is our responsibility to judge the validity and safety of advice in the sport.

At your level, how are you going to go about this?

[DJL 235]

Will only take advice from people who can provide sources or who I know to be knowledgeable in the areas in which I inquire.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[Amazon 7]

Quote

Most the people teaching me to freefly have fewer jumps than me, but they have taught me most of what I know about freeflying. Most of the people showing me hot RW stuff have fewer jumps than me, but they sure know a lot. Anyone who won't listen to someone just because they have "fewer jumps" is probably someone I don't want to be in the air with

Ditto..Me too

You is one schmart cookie John

[nael 0]

I only listen to people with more jumps than me. I only started skydiving 2 months ago though, which is why.

Also, if someone with less than 100 jumps tells me something, I always make sure I double check it with a more experienced skydiver, especially when its safety related, if its more just tips on body position etc sometimes I dont check.

www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

[thelem 0]

I will listen to advice from anyone, and if they can back up their advice with a good reason, then I will act on it.

If they have lots of experience (not just jump numbers) but can't back up their advice, then I will probably speak to someone else about it. If they have low jump numbers but can't back up their advice I will probably just forget it.

Remember, even the best don't know everything.

[TomAiello 26]

The difference between a wise man and a fool is that when they meet the wise man learns something.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[skypuppy 1]

I would rarely pay much attention to someone with less than at least 300 jumps, more likely 500. Of course it depends on the situation. If it's a jump pilot who's been flying jumpers for 30 years I listen to him. If it's the dzo, I listen to him. If its some new guy trying to convince me he knows it all and he's more current than me, I let him talk and think to myself 'We'll see what you think 5 years from now if you're still around.'

In these days when people can put in a pile of jumps in a short time, I think there's something to be said for range of experience or longevity as well. On the other hand, someone like myself with 2000+ jumps but not a lot of jumps in the last 5-8 years has to admit there's a lot of things that I'm not too knowledgeable about now. I just seek out the people I know can answer my questions.

I'm still amazed by people with 1000+ jumps who can't spot, or spot for their 90 square foot canopy and leave the old guys under their 230+ canopies walking and think nothing of it.

If some old guy can do it then obviously it can't be very extreme. Otherwise he'd already be dead.
Bruce McConkey 'I thought we were gonna die, and I couldn't think of anyone

[slug 1]

Quote

Most the people teaching me to freefly have fewer jumps than me, but they have taught me most of what I know about freeflying. Most of the people showing me hot RW stuff have fewer jumps than me, but they sure know a lot. Anyone who won't listen to someone just because they have "fewer jumps" is probably someone I don't want to be in the air with.

What Mr Mitchell said.

I did a eight way walkup load with a guy with 70 jumps, the guy was perfect turned two way pieces on his belly button. Turned out the guy was a tunnel rate with more than 12 hr's.

Numbers od jumps don't mean squat, how current are you? and what kind of loads you been on? Some DZ's are more progressive than others.

R.I.P.

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

The difference between a wise man and a fool is that when they meet the wise man learns something.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Touche'

Back when I had 800 jumps, I was passing time - waiting for the Porter - and asking a French AFF student what he planned to do on his next dive.
He described French Rolls to me. I confirmed his technique with a local instructor, then went up and tried his technique.
Dang!
That was the first roll I ever did that finished on heading!
When I returned to Canada, I taught the technique to Rob Laidlaw, who taught it to a bunch of CSPA and Skydvie U coaches, who taught it to a bunch of ....
Now if I want to learn sit-flying I have to listen to people with one tenth as many jups as me.
Hee! Hee!

[AndyMan 7]

Jump numbers are meaningless.

I do not accept or reject advice based on reputation, or number of jumps, or any other meaningless criteria.

I've heard more then enough wrong and dangerous advice from people who should know better.

I accept advice that makes sense. I reject advice that does not.

Be critical. Think.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[damion75 0]

Quote

Jump numbers are meaningless.

I do not accept or reject advice based on reputation, or number of jumps, or any other meaningless criteria.

I've heard more then enough wrong and dangerous advice from people who should know better.

I accept advice that makes sense. I reject advice that does not.

Be critical. Think.

_Am

What he said!

If it makes sense, and does not sound dangerous, then give it a try... if it sounds risky then confirm... no matter what the numbers of the guy/girl who gave me the advice.

There are too many areas in this sport for me to know 'more' about everything I might want to try than anybody and everybody with less jumps than me. Like I can't sitfly for sh*t!

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[watchdog2 0]

Jump numbers mean NOTHING....it is the QUALITY of the jumps that matters....