kitof1976 0 #1 September 2, 2003 I just wanted to post about an incident that happened to me yesterday at the boogie in Davis CA. I got there on Monday morning for the last day of the boogie and I was pretty stoked about being able to jump from the casa... So anyway, I payed the registration fee and I bought a few jump tickets and off I was for my first jump of the day!!! The exit from the casa for a solo jump was a blast and I went into a stand and held it for about 15 seconds... I was hauling ass until i felt my left eye watering up real bad!!! I went back to the belly position and deployed at 3500... while under canopy something did not feel right... My vision was all messed up because i had lost my left contact. I took my googles off thinking that would fix the problem but all that did was send my contact back in free fall So there I was at 2500 feet with on eye almost blind and pretty disoriented by the feeling. Nonetheless, I was able to land without a problem... So there I was, at a boogie, with a casa to jump from with jump tickets but missing a contact!!!! So I guess the purpose of my post is just to remind people who wear contacts that taking an extra pair of disposable contacts when going to the dz is definetly a good idea. I know I will do so from now on!!! I never even imagined this could happen... but it did and the rest of my day was shot "We see the world just the way we are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #2 September 2, 2003 Bummer. I've had this happen so many times during this first year in the sport that I can with all seriousness say that good eyewear is the second most important piece of equipment for a skydiver with contacts. That said, another very useful reminder to anyone wearing contacts would be to never remove your goggles until you land. Flying and landing with just one eye can be a bitch (I have a nice video of a great downwind swoop followed by a not so great face plant because I misjudged the distance to the ground), but taking off your goggles won't solve a thing. Also, start carrying a bottle of your favorite eye drops in your jumpsuit. Stuffing a dried contact back into your eye is no fun, trust me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #3 September 2, 2003 QuoteI have a nice video of a great downwind swoop You just have to do everything stupid i do, don't you p.s.: That really was a little longer swoop than usual "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poohbeer 0 #4 September 2, 2003 QuoteSo I guess the purpose of my post is just to remind people who wear contacts that taking an extra pair of disposable contacts when going to the dz is definetly a good idea. I know I will do so from now on!!! I have ALWAYS a complete package in my car and I used (crashed it) to ALWAYS have a package in my motorcycle aswell. And since you don't ever see me without either one of those that pretty much covers anything. (both eyes need the same contacts so 1 package -6 contacts- should be enough for all events) ------- SIGNATURE BELOW ------- Complete newbie at skydiving, so be critical about what I say!! "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitof1976 0 #5 September 2, 2003 QuoteQuoteSo I guess the purpose of my post is just to remind people who wear contacts that taking an extra pair of disposable contacts when going to the dz is definetly a good idea. I know I will do so from now on!!! I have ALWAYS a complete package in my car and I used (crashed it) to ALWAYS have a package in my motorcycle aswell. And since you don't ever see me without either one of those that pretty much covers anything. (both eyes need the same contacts so 1 package -6 contacts- should be enough for all events) Thanks for reinforcing the idea that I am the only idiot that never thought of bringing spare contacts to the DZ I just had to learn the hard way... The truth is that in 12 years of wearing contacts, I have never lost one doing various high speed activity. Hopefully, this will serve a purpose for somone who, like me, never thought of it... "We see the world just the way we are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #6 September 3, 2003 High speed + air entering your goggles from the bottom = definitely bad for contact lenses. I've had goggles blow out from the bottom while in a stand for a long period of time. Lasik is worth the money, IMO, if you can afford it. Short of that, I would say for free-flying, the "bubble" type goggles that wrap around your face don't work that well for me (although I do wear them). I've had much better luck with the goggles where the lenses are completely around your eye - they usually have mirrored or colored surfaces. These seem to stay on better when I'm at high speed.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymick 0 #7 September 3, 2003 QuoteAlso, start carrying a bottle of your favorite eye drops in your jumpsuit. Stuffing a dried contact back into your eye is no fun, trust me. Ouch! Ive found that out the hard way... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snakes 0 #8 September 3, 2003 Quotenever remove your goggles until you land. ... Also, start carrying a bottle of your favorite eye drops in your jumpsuit. Stuffing a dried contact back into your eye is no fun, trust me. Don't see how your 2 pieces of advice can be combined into one situation. Don't see how I could stuff a contact back with my goggles on .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #9 September 4, 2003 Quote Don't see how your 2 pieces of advice can be combined into one situation. Don't see how I could stuff a contact back with my goggles on .... Well, the situation you're trying to prevent is this; you land (at a demo or landing area not on the dz) with one contact stuck to the inside of your goggles, take them off and then spend five minutes poking yourself in the eye so the tears soften the lens enough for you to wear it. True story... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #10 September 4, 2003 Had one come out on the plane on the way up. Took me about 6,000 feet to get it back in and right. I ended up using a guy's silver helmet as a mirror. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poohbeer 0 #11 September 5, 2003 QuoteHad one come out on the plane on the way up. Took me about 6,000 feet to get it back in and right. I ended up using a guy's silver helmet as a mirror. Learn to do it without a mirror!! It's realy not al that hard. ------- SIGNATURE BELOW ------- Complete newbie at skydiving, so be critical about what I say!! "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #12 September 7, 2003 Ah the merits of one day contacts Had a double eye infection after scuba diving in what turned out to be not-so-clean water, and after that the only lenses I can use are one day ones. They have the added benefit that if you lose one, it's cheap to replace. The extra cost is well worth it if you're into adventure sports, IMHO. Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #13 September 12, 2003 QuoteLearn to do it without a mirror!! It's realy not al that hard. I normally can. I was having lots of trouble with it and eventually resorted to the "mirror"Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
