mik

I agree entirely with this view... of the limited number of incidents that have taken place when I have been at a dz, one involved a highly arrogant individual who was attempting increasingly high performance landings with low jump numbers, against the advice of several much more experienced jumpers / instructors. He lived but that was a surprise to many given the force with which he appeared to hit the ground. Maybe I am not as compassionate as some who post here, but if he had not survived, I would not have willingly stopped jumping 'to honour' someone who repeatedly ignored good advice (and I know plenty of other people who have the same view). A slightly different situation (that I did not witness) took place in the UK a year or so ago where someone (subsequently found to have mental health issues) deliberately cut away the risers when under canopy to successfuly commit suicide. I don't know whether jumping continued but I struggle to see what a close down of 24 hours would have done for the experienced jumpers. One of the other incidents took place at a large and busy (overseas) dz involving a jumper with many thousands of jumps who spiralled in and did not survive. He was with a military group jumping on the far side of the DZ (probably a couple of km away) - jumping military kit etc. Jumping was suspended for a while a couple of days later during some kind of military investigation but I don't see what stopping the jumping of dozens of jumpers who did not know the deceased would have achieved. I have no problem with people who don't want to jump after watching an incident, and I really don't know how I would react if someone close to me went in, but while there is freedom of choice, I would want to reserve the right to continue to jump. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Pretty light running this week in terms of distance (due to time constraints) Monday - 6km in 25.15 ... most annoying to find later it was 1 second outside my personal best Today - decided to beat it ... 6km in 24.45 - was pretty tough for me as am not a natural runner but I was happy. Plus weights etc *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

$54 a year sounds a great price... in the UK you can be sure that anything at that rate would exclude all dangerous activities / personal liability etc.. and I have heard (but never seen myself) of so-called extreme sport skydiving insurance policies that restrict the number of skydives to a couple for the whole trip.. Some of the cheaper policies in the UK (c$120 a year) don't include personal liability insurance.. not great if you can be held responsible for any damage to anyone / property in a foreign country that may not appreciate a foreigner causing damage to local property / harming a local. And the benefits payable in the event of a claim vary significantly (eg death from £10,000 to £100,000 on two separate policies I looked at today). Moral is - check the small print of the policy very carefully (at least in the UK) and make sure you know what cover you are getting before you hand over your hard-earned cash *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I work a fair amount in different countries (with extremely variable levels of health care) and take my rig if it looks as though I might get a jump or two. I tend to get insurance that covers medical expenses / personal liability - in the UK it is not that expensive when compared to the cost of specialist repatriation / care / dealing with personal liability claims if things go wrong. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I try to run a bit... 11km this morning (50 mins) plus weights etc.. most weeks I do 30-40km. I somethings think I do ok, but my physiotherapist puts me to shame - running 11 - 18 miles a day 6 days a week preparing for a 145 mile non-stop race in May (see website) http://www.gucr.co.uk/ *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Hi I will be in Mexico City next weekend and want to go to the dz at Cuautla for the weekend. Can anyone give me a ride (happy to share fuel costs) Thanks Mik *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Packing is a requirement to get your CH2. CH2 is a requirement to get your B :) Am glad I got mine a while back :) *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I did not realise that it is a UK-wide requirement to pack to get a B licence... must have missed that change *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I see from your profile you are an investment banker. If so, you should be able to afford the cost of buying a separate hard case (I use a large plastic crate), paying the excess, locking it securely (padlocks and cable ties for me) and putting it in the hold. I travel lots with my rigs, always in the hold, never any problems thus far (must be 30-40 trips internationally).. FYI BA will allow you to take an extra bag with sports equipment, although if you are travelling from Stanstead I guess you are doing ryanair or easyjet or similar so are likely to have to pay for excess. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Would have been naked if in south africa.. or so I have heard

There is, however, a political movement underway to try and get "gourmet beers" allowed for sale in Alabama. These are pretty much what they are, the best stuff, and pricey, I remember, a few years ago, buying a Belgian Cherry Beer (Kriek) cheaper in a pretty expensive restaurant in one of the most expensive restaurants I have been to in Johannesburg in South Africa (Butchers Shop in what was Sandton Square at the time) that was significantly cheaper than exactly the same bottles I had bought a couple of months earlier in bars (not restuarants) in Brugges (Belgium) - and I am not convinced it was all down to exchange rate differences (and it was not when the rand went out to c 20 to £1 - it was more like 10 or 11 at the time).. Never did work out the economics of that.. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Going to beat target to run 1,000km this year in an attempt to slow the rate of decline... (slight problem after breaking my heel junping in Russia in July that stopped me running for 2 months so had to really put the distances in to get back on track)... most runs are around 8k (five miles) in about 35 minutes, longest = 16km (10 miles)... Plus some weights etc etc... I just got back from Mexico where the 7,000 feet asl and the heat pushed 6km run time to 30 minutes.. (very slow for me) ... got back to the UK and sea level and did 6km in just over 25 minutes despite the jet-lag - it really is soooo much easier at sea level It's tough at times but good to keep pushing. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I went there to jump for on a Sunday afternoon recently (December 2007) when I was working in Mexico City (first time for me in Mexico, I speak no Spanish). I got there via local taxi, costing the equivalent of about $80 USD - it would probably have been a lot more expensive if I used a taxi organised by my hotel. I arrived there sometime around 2pm and still managed to get 4 jumps before sunset after dz briefing, kit and documents check etc (I could probably have made 5 if I manifested on landing and before packing). I found everyone there very friendly and safety conscious (no chance of jumping without realising it is about 4,500 feet asl as about 4-5 people mentioned it to me after the DZ briefing). There was a good mix of flat jumpers and free flyers, and people doing AFF when I was there. There is a shop selling the basics eg batteries for audibles, plus the normal t shirts etc etc. I understand the Twin Otter is only there for the US winter months and I did not check out some of the facilities (not sure if there is a bunk house etc, but the toilets and showers looked ok) so it would be worth calling in advance of any visit (and to try to organise a lift from Mexico City, if staying near there). I really enjoyed jumping there and will definitely go back if I am that way again.

Hi - is anyone from Mexico City going to Skydive Cuautla or Skydive Tequesquitengo this weekend? I will be in Mexico City and would prefer to travel with someone who knows where they are going. I have transport and can give someone a ride, or can split travel costs if anyone is taking their car. Thanks *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Hi... the timing of my trip has moved so am now likely to be in Mexico City for the weekend of 8/9 December. Any advice on which DZ in the Mexico City area to go to if I want to do a few jumps would be appreciated Thanks *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I know this subject has been covered before but I really think these guys need all the good press hey deserve. My Pro-track developed a minor fault recently, so I sent it to L&B for a service, together with a Solo with a cracked cover. Both were replaced free of charge. Fantastic service - BUY THEIR PRODUCTS !!!!! *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Tonto was one of my AFF instructors - I was a very nervous student and he had a massive calming influence on me. I wanted to do more jumps with him as a student but he refused saying that I did not need him there and I would be wasting my money. A great guy who I kept in contact with from the UK, especially if I needed advice from a trusted mentor, and someone I loved catching up with when visiting South Africa RIP mate Mick Smith *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I have lost two or three hook knives having left in a hurry and forgotten to remove them. Now I usually put my rig in a plastic crate in the hold *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I am likely to be in Mexico for work in November and may have the weekend of 4/5 November free. I can be in Torreon or Mexico City. I would appreciate it if anyone could let me know which would be the best for getting to a local dz, how far I would have to travel (not sure whether I will have a car), whether there is a good chance of getting a few jumps etc. Thanks *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

From another post 'AFF is a breeze to pass it. I only know a few people who actually had to repeate a level or two.' I would be interested to know whether this is typical. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Hi mate I failed one of my AFF jumps cos of leg position - AFF instructor suggested tapping my toes together (not heels - apparently toes easier to do to maintain arch)... sailed thru the repeat... That is not to say that tunnel time with a good instructor is not a good investment - am sure it is - but the advice I had just might save you $$$$$$$$$$ IF (AND ONLY IF) the problem was feet at different levels causing spin etc Goiod luck mate - and dont give up unless you really have to for other reasons (family, cost etc)(would be my advice *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

I have used the Sunshine Factory several times - in my experience the staff are fantastic and the service is great - not just for for the expensive stuff (rigs etc). It does not seem to matter if youare spending $20 or $2500 - the service is outstanding!!! *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

reply]..was able to miraculously take the canopy out of the bag by pulling down the risers real hard once or twice before cutting away and deploying reserve? A friend who did their AFF course in Russia was taught that the technique for a bag lock to pull down sharply on risers three times to try to bring out main before cutting away. They were also taught to strike the container with elbows three times in the event of a total mal to try to release the bag from the container - not sure that I would be happy trying that but it might make sense... I have no idea whether the guidance is prepared nationally or at a local level in Russia, but the dropzone at which they were taught has some very experienced staff members / instructors in terms of jump numbers (I think up to 18k jumps), for what that is worth. *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

That's your take on it. How about folks that take young kids out on motorcycles, both on and off road. I've known 6 year olds to be killed on ATVs. Is that felonius? I think a tandem jump would be safer than that, IMHO. There was a guy years back took his toddler daughter on jumps, less that 2 YO, with a special made pouch harness. Not my cup of tea, but . . . Quote My two sons were regularly riding on the back of my motorcycles from the age of 3 (with specially fitted footrests that they could reach, protected clothing etc) - my oldest son did a tandem in South Africa at 6 and the TM there took his son for a tandem at age of 3 I think and I believe has done more since. My youngest son has never forgiven me for not taking him to South Africa for his tandem at the age of 6 and at every dropzone we visit always asks at manifest if he is old enough to jump (he is 8 now).... So I guess I would be a prime candidate to be locked up... *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example

Got it - thanks *********************************************** I'm NOT totally useless... I can be used as a bad example