NewGuy

My ophthalmologist warned me that because I have severe myopia I should take care to avoid anything that involves high impact. Due to the retina being spread so thin it is possible to tear or detach it. So martial arts, skiing/snowboarding, and yes skydiving are not recommended. I've continued with such activities without incident, but have been very cautious (as far as you can be - you can't avoid getting knocked around some times.) I suspect that anyone can detach a retina if they are hit hard enough (you might die from the trauma first). Realistically , I don't think skydiving imposes any greater risk for retinal detachment/tearing than normal activities for the average person. My impression is that people love to come up with reasons why one shouldn't partake in an activity such as skydiving. I'd recommend that anyone who does have severe myopia mention to their ophthalmologist that they do take part in higher impact sports and see what they think. They probably won't understand the nature of skydiving so it would be good to have better examples of equivalent impact. Cheers, NewGuy

I don't believe the article directly makes mention to the risk of having a loose chest strap(assuming un-fastened is different than loose). Although I've heard many opinions on how loose the chest strap should/shouldn't be, I'm not in the position to be able to comment on it. (therefore "I'm not sure if it is a matter of how loose the chest strap is"). I did think it was worth referencing the web page though as the original poster wanted to know if it was possible to fall out of a harness even if the harness is fastened. Cheers, NewGuy

Apparently, it is possible. I'm not sure if it is a matter of how loose the chest strap is - which is more along the lines of your question; rather, it is the type of harness you have and if it fits properly. See: http://www.makeithappen.com/spsj/fallout.html

I'm with you on that - wish I could make a good living sky diving... instead I spend my good living on skydiving. Can't complain, at least its skydiving! Cheers, NewGuy

40mins

Oh, mate, you have got to be kidding me! That's like fearing losing your love of money, or food, or whatever. If you lose the drive, you've got no problem, cuz you aren't driven anymore! The problem comes when the drive is still there, and you've lost your hair and everything else. We're guys... losing sex drive is a hard thing to do! (no pun intended) Cheers, NewGuy

Smoke? Not a chance! I was lucky enough to grow up in a generation that knew smoking = death and I was just too stubborn to give into peer pressure by the rest who didn't quite get the message. I'll never understand the what goes on in the minds of the youth today that pick it up. It's like jumping out of planes to look cool, or have fun... Cheers, NewGuy

My better half does - she's a great woman. Seems like there are a lot of nice ladies hanging around dz.com from some of the responses in this thread (skymama, u r 1 of them). A good woman is the heart of the home... uhm, and I always knew that there was a conspiracy going on - I think it goes further than this though. Cheers, NewGuy

100 jumps on my hornet and the logo is about 50%. Just peeling off. I'm very pleased with my hornet and not too concerned about the logo - although it would be nice I guess for re-sale value if it were intact. Cheers, NewGuy

Gentlemen, in case you haven't figured it out yet, it is not about the toilet seat! Haven't you ever noticed the logic of the argument is always in favour of the men when you objectively examine and weigh out all the facts? Just face it, it is about us being wrong and women being right regardless of what really is right and wrong. Notice how few women have jumped in on this thread? Cheers, NewGuy

An armed society is a polite society. Or maybe that just makes for a scary place to live. Cheers, NewGuy

Well, proper etiquette would say that common courtesy dictates. If your significant other likes the seat down, or up, show some courtesy and do what you can to oblige. Can there really be a correct position for a toilet seat? Actually, yes - that is seat AND lid both down (afterall, what is the lid for, to keep the cat out?), but respect for your other half is far more important than the position of a toilet seat. If you find yourself fighting over it, there are probably other issues at hand. Cheers, NewGuy

My rugby coach's name was Harry. Not a bad name except his last name was Dick. Nice parents. Cheers, NewGuy

That wouldn't be good. I think they were 9K and 5K 'tongue pokes'... Cheers, NewGuy

The student should really see their ophthalmologist before continuing to jump if they have any conditions with their eyes that they are concerned might be complicated by jumping. People who have been diagnosed with such conditions will likely already have an ophthalmologist they can see. Cheers, NewGuy

In the AFF course at Golburne Australia, you used tongue signals to indicate you read your altimeter. You had to stick your tongue out, at the a pre-defined instructor, at a particular altitude, a couple of times through the jump. In order to do this, you had to be aware. I don't know how I could have done it, if we couldn't rehearse on the ground with the practice altimeters as there were a number of skills that had to be done as well. Now it all seems quite easy, but back then it was a huge deal. Cheers, NewGuy

I never wear rings when doing any sports, including skydiving. If you break or sprain your finger you might end up having to get the ring cut off. Not worth it. Cheers, NewGuy

Commute to work : 2-3 seconds depending on the traffic (work from home - but have a kid who leaves lots of toys on the floor) Commute to DZ: 40-45min Cheers, NewGuy

I see people jump with all sorts of jewelry. For me, I won't even wear any rings. If you break a finger, you might have to have a ring cut off. How does one break a finger skydiving? if you saw what my landings used to be like, you would know... Cheers, NewGuy

60 jumps on it. All have been beautiful, except for the last 4. Just the rear risers immediatly after opening and then only toggles. Cheers, NewGuy

The last 4 canopy rides on my Hornet 190 have been rather rough. It feels like I'm experiencing a lot of turbulance - although the other jumpers are not experiencing the same sensation in the same conditions (light wind). Apparently, from the ground, you can see my canopy 'accordianing'. Has anyone experienced this and know what can cause your canopy to 'accordian' - assuming that this just isn't turbulance. I've got about 60 jumps on this canopy (I'm a newbie with around 140 jumps), loaded at 1.14. I'll be taking this to our rigger to check out before I jump it again. It is just far too an uncomfortable feeling (scary actually). Cheers, NewGuy

PISA web site E-mail address is on the page as well (and looks to be the same as already mentioned in this thread). Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Jtval, Where abouts are you staying? and which bar? I used to live in Sydney... just dying to get back home - I'm homesick after reading your post! Cheers, NewGuy

How many members in each? It might be that AOPA has a larger member base from which to draw $$ and provide services. Cheers, NewGuy

Hi Bill, I'm wondering if I should be worried? Here are the measurements on my rig. a.) 1/8" Gap between top of harness Ring and bottom of the loop tape. measured by looking from the side (not the front as shown in the photos - from the front it is hard to tell if there is a gap). b.) 1/4" Gap between outside edge of webbing and where metal housing starts. c.) 1/4" gap (stretch) between riser grommet and metal housing. What are reasonable ranges before this is considered dangerous and should be replace? I just bought the rig last fall... Cheers, NewGuy