nbblood

Just ordered a new Odyssey and ordered the wife a new G4. She likes coke, I like Pepsi....go figure. Anyway, we'll be doing the happy new rig dance! Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Thanks for the replies. That's what I thought, now I really don't understand how anybody can say that slinks require more maintenance than rapid links. Anyway, thanks. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Coming up on 12 years. US Army, O-4/Major, Field Artillery. Currently in Korea. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I have a 96 Javelin that I'm selling. All above are true. However, I've had the bridle cover and hard housings installed on mine, plus I have a CReW flap on my reserve flap that helps the "snagging" problem. So it depends on what has been done to the rig, ask the seller. Blues. Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yeah, I went B straight to D, just had to take both tests and meet all requirements. Didn't actually have to have the other license. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Ever seen Joe Jennings' "Good Stuff" DVD where Greg Gasson exits holding onto the legstraps of his rig, holds on with one hand, and deploys the main himself, while holding on to the rig? Oh, BTW he wasn't wearing a backup either. I didn't think it was possible either, til I saw that. Now I think it's possible, just not likely. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I've checked out the other threads on Slinks and the PD website. I have slinks on my main and reserve and I like them. I have heard some people say that a disadvantage to Slinks is that they require more maintenance than rapid links. The only thing I found was from the Slinks instructions on the PD page, which said: I understand all that, and I understand routine maintenance ought to include inspecting the Slinks for wear and inspecting slider grommets for wear, looking for conditions that may cause excessive wear, etc. However, I don't see how this is significantly different from routine maintenance on rapid links., i.e., ensuring barrel is closed, checking same conditions as above. That all said, am I missing something? Doesn't seem to me that there is any significant difference in maintenance between rapid links and Slinks. Am I missing a step or do people put rapid links on and think they never have to worry about them again? Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

What's wrong with staying with the Sabre2 170? Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

That's the one I'm talking about. Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I know of an Army commander that was "asked to retire" due to something he did, but I really don't want to elaborate. Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yep, they do and nobody's gonna change anybody's mind, so I guess we've got to agree to disagree. So goes life. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

She F**kin Hates Me--Puddle O' Mud Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

LMAO.....I can relate. Cool you got your rig, now let's go jump.....if we can find a place. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I think one thing that often gets missed in these threads is that skydivers jumping too radical of a canopy is not only a danger to themselves, but also to those around them. I applaud the gear shops that make ethical sales. They would also much prefer a skydiver to be around in 3 more years to maybe buy another canopy......just a thought. I personally own a firearms business and I have denied purchases on a gut feeling before.....my business, my right. I don't think it's a matter of liability as I don't see the dealer as liable....I see it as a matter of ethics, not nearly so black and white, more difficult to define, but the gear dealers and gun dealers know what I'm talking about......or should. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Yeah, I don't have those qualifications, but I didn't know either. I guessed the MLW part, but that's it. And, my wife just ordered a new G4, now I'll know. Good question, good info. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I have a Factory Diver and it fogs up quite a bit under different conditions, i.e., colder than normal, more humid than normal. I used anti-fog this and that but nothing seemed to really help. I dealt with it by: 1. Wait as long as possible in the plane before putting on the helmet. 2. Don't sit it on the top of your head while waiting in the plane(moisture from your breath will find it). Those two steps helped a lot. 3. Under canopy if it started to fog, I took it off and turned it around backward. BTW- I don't recommend this as dropping the helmet during this process can be disastrous (and I don't mean to the helmet). For the record, I now have a Z1 and I'll make you a great deal on the Factory Diver.....lol Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I bought a Javelin used for my second rig, sent it to SunPath and they resized the harnass including putting brand new leg straps on. I also had a new BOC pouch and a Bridle Cover installed. I was into it about $200 with all that. I was definitely pleased with the result, made a dramatic difference in the rig and it was significantly more comfortable. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

Actually, I kind of agree too. I'd go one step farther. Sell in the grocery store, put the corner dealers out of business, undercut them. Get rid of the drug deals on the streets that are so much of a problem too. Of course, this sounds simple and it isn't, but hell, it's not like we're gonna get rid of drugs........ever, so why not regulate them, tax them, put the drug dealers out of business. My personal choice would still be to stay away from the shit, but that's me. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I think this is kind of my point. I'm not S/L bashing and I understand that it is a great way to get into skydiving. Just offering my opinion that AFF is a slightly better method. Of course, it varies from DZ to DZ and location is probably much more important than method, as quality instructors make all the difference in the world. I personally went through an excellent AFF program at The Ranch in New York and, yes, I've seen the deficiencies that Ron speaks of at other AFF programs, but the instructors I had were excellent and I know I learned spotting, packing, canopy control, etc. As good as S/L? Certainly debatable.....in my opinion, yes. But again, I'm not "bashing" the S/L program, particularly with quality instructors. Edited to say: Oh yeah, and Ron has much more experience than I, and his opinions and experience are more in depth than mine. I understand that and just wanted to point it out. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I put extra altitude, but all are applicable. As far as fast climb goes though, I'd rather spend 5 more minutes in a Caravan and have a few more jumpers on board and a big door, rather than the King Air that climbs a little faster. Just me, but I hate that narrow ass door on the King Air. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S/L is outdated training. It is still around but I don't think it will be for long, at least not in the sport industry. AFF or Tandem progression into IAF is the way to go. Some may disagree, but I think you'll find a lot more that agree. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not trying to say there aren't advantages and disadvantages both ways. And I'm certainly not saying that S/L is not a viable way to train.....it is and has been. AFF programs SHOULD teach things like packing, spotting, canopy control, etc. Advantages of AFF are immediate feedback and learning in freefall from instructors that were right there rather than just watched from the plane. Learning about load organizing (more at bigger DZs). Familiarity with equipment and deployment methods used after AFF. I know the S/L program addresses these issues, just in my opinion AFF is better. If someone chooses to use the S/L method, fine, go for it. Keep in mind S/L jumps don't count toward license progression....not that that should be a determining factor....but still a factor. Also, more hazards with equipment, i.e., S/L routing. And I've seen unstable exits turn real ugly in S/L. Still all methods are certainly valid and worthy of consideration. Just my opinion. For the record, I have S/L jumps, albeit military ones, and I have exited aircraft from 800 ft, not that I exactly am thrilled about that each time. I did extensive research before choosing Tandem-IAF as my training method and I recommend it. But then again, that's just my opinion. I realize and expect there are other opinions, and certainly more experienced opinions and that's great. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

I sometimes use a packer, sometimes pack myself. Basically if it's a slow day with time between loads I pack myself. But, I also have two rigs, and making back to back to back means somebody else packing. Also on a day when you make 10-12 jumps, the packing is what gets me smoked....so I use a packer. However, I always packed for myself until I knew what I was doing. I've probably got 10 times more pack jobs than jumps. I packed for a few other people too. Helped me learn a lot of quirks about different canopies and packing methods. Bottom line, I like to remain proficient at packing, but on a busy day, I'm not gonna spend time on the ground if I can be in the air. Blues, Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

S/L is outdated training. It is still around but I don't think it will be for long, at least not in the sport industry. AFF or Tandem progression into IAF is the way to go. Some may disagree, but I think you'll find a lot more that agree. Blues Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

My personal feelings, if you don't have some fear at some level, then you either don't understand the whole picture, or you're not in the proper mental state to skydive. Fear is something that keeps you sharp in this sport. It's what makes you do gear checks, weather decisions, piloting decisions, etc. It's what keeps you alive, the fear of dying. Individuals experience fear at different levels. It doesn't mean you can't overcome and become more comfortable with fear, but it's still there at some level. My guess is that you everybody experiences, at least "butterflies" once in a while. Sometimes it takes an incident to bring back those "butterflies". Bottom line is complacency kills in this sport. Lack of fear at some level leads to complacency. That said, I'd reevaluate what you mean by "no fear". Blues. Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

My wife is a school teacher/skydiver. Just completed her master's in Special Education. Currently working in a high school. Hasn't registered on DZ.com yet, but she'll probably get around to it pretty soon. Northern hemisphere though. Blues. Nathan Blues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.