steve1 5 #26 March 12, 2002 I hate it when anyone tells me what to do. Especially the government. I know I have trouble with authority figures and I'm all for personal choice. But I also know that skydiving can be a very dangerous activity and is very unforgiving. Safety equipment can spell the difference between living and dying. I have to have a very good reason to go without items of gear that can save my rear (or bald head). You start taking chances and you can get bit hard. We all know that, but why take chances. I just can't see how it could be safer to jump without a helmet, and I always jump with one. It's just added insurance that I'll live to see another day. I'm no jump authority by any means. I also know that I don't have the jump numbers to really argue this point with someone who does. These are just the ramblings of a demented old fart who got that way by not pushing the limits too far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #27 March 12, 2002 QuoteI ride a motocycle and in Illinois it is not required to where a helmet. I make this choice because the helmet limits my field of vision, making me feel less aware. It is my awareness that allows me to react to situations properly.Awareness won't be any good AFTER somebody sends you flying off your bike, and your skull meets Mr. Pavement. IMHO, motorcycle helmet laws protect people from themselves. Here, even bicycle helmets are law. And in the couple of years since that law came into affect, the number of people suffereing head injuries in bike accidents has dropped dramatically.As far as skydiving helmets go, I wear one, and always will."Men weren't meant to rideWith clouds between their knees"Five For Fighting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #28 March 12, 2002 I wear a helmut even if I'm jumping by my self....Its not just in FF you can get hurt..what about landing...if I come in hot and PLF it at least I have something to protec my melon from smacking the ground!!!jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #29 March 12, 2002 Steve1 I wasn't telling anyone what to do...I do ride a motorcycle and I do wear full leathers and a helmet...and I live in Illinois where they dont really care. I also dont like it when people tell me what to do....BUT...I see so many people injured that could be alive or not nearly as harmed as they were if they simply wore there FUCKING seat belt...how simple is it....to snap it in...or how easy is it for someone to throw there helmet on when you ride....it is just a waste of stupid people...but then again...I have to tell my self time and time again that I can't save the idiots from themselves...problem is I have to wake my fat ass up at 2am and fix them though....that sucks.....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZDale 0 #30 March 12, 2002 I agree fully that helmets should be worn, especially when jumping with other people. Ive heard alot of people say that, with their skills and awareness, they can do without a helmet. The way I see it, no matter how good you are or rather how good you may think you are, there is always margin for error no matter if its you or someone else on the dive. Imagine being knocked so hard that you end up not dead but with brain damage. Nice that would be quite a sentence for trying to look cool.Just my 2 centsDale Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwmontreal 0 #31 March 12, 2002 It goes without saying (maybe not!!) that taking the precaution of protecting your melon should be automatic. Being Canadian it is kind of funny the way we here "its our right to choose", and and a bunch of other expressions that have to do with freedom issues (I don't want to sound like I am American bashing!!). I have 3 DZs close to me and I choose to jump in the USA for several reasons. One of thoes reasons being that sport jumping in the USA has much less gouvernmental regulatory tampering. Yes you do have the right to choose to wear, or not to wear a helmet, BUT, be aware that if too many people are not making intelligent choices for themselves, WILL lead to more regulations. Even if we come to beat up each other on this point, ...... I hope that we can continue to do so for a long time to come . This would mean that you haven't wacked your melon and are healthy. There are no certanties in life (other than taxes and death), but it is possible to cheat on both. (note to the Revenue Canada, I am up to date!!) Your chances of remaining healthy are much improved by a helmet! PERIOD !!Talk about beating the perverbal dead horse!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #32 March 13, 2002 Quote One of thoes reasons being that sport jumping in the USA has much less gouvernmental regulatory tampering. Examples please"Men weren't meant to rideWith clouds between their knees"Five For Fighting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #33 March 13, 2002 QuoteOr your bloody gov't gets with the times and learns this thing called, "Public Heathcare."Well, we sorta have it through our health insurance system which your workplace has to provide to you. Although last Tuesday I hit about 5 offices that "didn't take my insurance company" so finally I just paid for my visit on my credit card. My insurance company will still cover most of it, but it's just more of a pain in the ass.Also our health care system has things in place to absorb the cost to those without insurance. When my brother had a heart attack the bill was about 80k and he didn't have insurance. The hospital absorbed the costs.Not perfect, but people worry that our government couldn't handle a health care system. They might be right too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #34 March 13, 2002 Mark....no employer HAS to provide you health insureance....workmans comp...yes....health insurance NO....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #35 March 13, 2002 I'm pretty sure there was a law passed a couple years ago that pretty much made it so businesses in the US have to offer health insurance coverage to any full time employee, if that business is over a certain size.It's one of the reasons many corps use temp agencies.Think Clinton signed it back when healthcare reform was the topic of the year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #36 March 13, 2002 Quotehealth insurance system which your workplace has to provide to you. There may be a law that says it must be offered but I don't think there's any law that says the employer must pay for it. I consider myself and my coworkers incredibly lucky that our employer pays 100% of our health insurance - anybody (in the US) priced health insurance lately? pull and flare,lisa--I'll be in the bar... you'll find me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #37 March 13, 2002 Hmm, nope looks like I was wrong:http://law.freeadvice.com/insurance_law/health_insurance/employee_health_insurance.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #38 March 14, 2002 No shit shirlock.....marcBSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #39 March 18, 2002 QuoteAfter the open accordian exit funneled, the other jumper managed to kick me in the face exceptionally hard, breaking the lens to my full-face in halfJust curious... what kind of helmet?Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RozeAY 0 #40 March 18, 2002 It is a factory diver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #41 March 18, 2002 Americans: Don't want the gov't involved in thier lives, no way, no how.Canadians: Sit around and wait for the gov't to get involved in thiers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
