Ruffles

Thats dissappointing news. Do you guys know when Perris' tunnel is due to be completed?

A newbie friend of mine and I were thinking that a trip to the wind tunnel (and Vegas for that matter) might be a good idea. I looked at the web site and the prices seem reasonable. Do you guys think that tunnel will help with the freefall skills? Someone told me it wasn't a good idea to go, as the tunnel can only produce 100 mph wind and you have to use a different body position to stay aloft. Anyone been there and have feedback?

Thanks for the feedback gang. I was reading those fatality reports on skydivingfatalities.com and I guess if it was a significant and frequent problem, more people would be getting killed using RSLs. I only saw two RSL related fatalities in the last 8 years and those were even questionable (ie. may not have been related to the RSL). I think I'll keep using it.

OK easy cha-cha, I have no clue what the best chutes are , I have like 35 jumps. Everybody at my DZ said they were awesome. Geez...

I guess my question is, is there anyway to prevent flipping during a cutaway and does this occur frequently? I realize I have to make my own decision about this, but you have to appreciate how frustrating it is when 30 people have answered my question with "You'll have to decide for yourself". You have to undersand that the reason I'm asking in the first place is so I can decide for myself. No one seems to have any real feedback on this and that scares me.

My instructors told me not to get anything that was loaded over a 1:1 ratio. I ended up with a Silhouette 210 that is like 1 to 1.1, and that I guess is no big deal. Recommendations: 1) Get a relatively square canopy (I say relatively because there are some that are tapered on the ends, which is not really elliptical) 2) Try to load it at a 1:1 ratio or less 3) Buy PD chutes. Everybody told they're the best. 4) Talk to your AFFIs and see what they say

Ok, first I'd like to apologize for brining this damn subject up again since you were all so kind and tolerant humoring my paranoia before, but I watched this "breakaway" video and I'm all wound up again. For those of you who have had a cut-away from a NON-spinning malfunction, what body position did you happen to fall away in? Reason I'm asking, the video showed this cat doing a snap back flip as he cut away from a stuck slider mal and I was thinking how cool it would be had an RSL been on that rig when he flipped (not). Now relative Workshops did the vid and I know they are no fans of the RSL, so I was wondering if the guy probably flipped on purpose or if people generally fall away face first? Any takers on this one?

I am beginning to feel a bit saucy (a whopping 35 jumps now) and I think I'd like to try one of those forward loops on my exit. I jump a Super Otter. How does one accomplish such a feat and is there any danger in doing so?

Well, the idea is to do it in 7 levels, some DZs use 8. In either case, I had to repeat one level (5) due to what my instructor euphamistically called "over rotation during a turn". I actually over rotated about 20 times at 80rpm before he stopped me. That was enjoyable.... My understanding is that at least half of all AFF students generally end up failing one level and having to repeat it. The most extreme case I've heard of (short of complete failure) is someone having to go through 16 jumps before they got it right. If I were you I'd plan on 8 jumps.

I purchased a used rig and recently found a small knife-like thing on the left shoulder strap. this must be the elusive hook knife. One question...... what the hell do I do with it???

How could anyone, much less a group of people, fail to notice three. two-foot-long folds of bright yellow straps hanging on someone's container. I cannot believe they did not notice, they MUST have figured he was doing a S/L jump. Christ, I wonder if these cats would notice that my tiny-weenie non-colored closing pin was about to come lose on a gear check.

Kind of an odd topic, but I just bought a used Vector II with a Silhouette Main and was wondering about my risers. I have no idea what "type" they are and the manuals do not say. I had read that "type 17" risers were prone to tearing occasionally and wondered if I should replace mine if thats what they are (I have an RSL so you see my concern). They look fine. Have you guys even heard of riser tears on single occupant canopies?Can you guys help me or am I just being paranoid?

Hey just trivial curiousity, but thinking back on it, would you say you were more stressed during the episode or afterward when you were under the reserve canopy? Sounds like a dumb-ass question, but a lot of people have told me they were fairly cool-headed DURING their malfunctions, but on the ground afterwards they really got shakey reflecting on what had happened. I haven't had one yet; I'm trying to live vicariously through those who have.

I felt your pain my friend. I'm only recently off AFF and I remember those jumps well. I became pale, cool, and sweaty more than once, prior to exit. All that means is that you actually have some whuffo survival instincts left that are telling you they don't like you jumping out of planes. They will subside with each successive jump. I didn't even really decide that I liked this sport until jump 15. As for the "wobbling" during free-fall, I did that so many times they started calling me "Ruffles" (potato chips) as that wobbling is also known as "potato-chipping". That will stop as soon as you RELAX. I didn't believe it, but it's all due to you tensing your arms, torso, and legs during FF. As a matter of fact, if you want to make the rest of your AFFs a piece of cake, relaxing seems to make all the maneuvers you have to do really easy. Unfortunately it took me an extra AFF 5 before I learned that. On AFF 5 I started a left turn which turned into a flat spin at about 80 RPM. My instructor had to grab me and stop me. Hang in there partner, those first ten jumps are the real hurdle. It will get easier, I promise. Unless, of course, you get more and more tense with each jump.

Thanks you guys, at last some sound advice. As to all the posts, I DO listen, I WILL NOT point fingers at you, and I appreciate your advice. For me, the thrill is in the free-fall, not the canopy ride; I have no intention of getting an elliptical in my first 1000 jumps. Sounds like an RSL is a good idea for me. One last question(s): (#1) I have a Raven II reserve. Can I get one of those cross connector things that ensure the reserve is not deployed until BOTH risers have separated or is it just for the Racer? (#2) Am I gonna experience violently spinning mals on the Silhouette, as you said it is "semi-elliptical" or are the spins going to keep me under the canopy as opposed to horizontal with it? Thank again folks. Ruffles

Hey gang, newbie here (20 jumps) in need of help. I just bought a Silhouette 210 (square) that has all the goodies including a CYPRESS and an RSL. I cannot get a straight answer from anyone at my drop zone regarding RSLs. One instructor told me that I should never jump with out one and another told me I should disconnect it before every jump. I understand how RSLs work and their pros and cons, but I am trying to determine what has really been documented to happen when one cuts away with and RSL from what many people THINK happens when one cuts away using an RSL. I read the "RSL myths" post on this website, and that helped alot, but I still see and hear conflicting opinions. Here's the scoop: I... (#1) have a square main with a 1:1 loading, (#2) Do not do or intend to do CRW, (#3) have never had a cut away (#4) have never heard of riser tears on single occupant canopoies. Knowing all this, should I RSL-it or not? Thx, Ruffles