I´ve been reading alot of postings concerning static line courses and training in the US. I´m at jump 12 (18 jumps total) at a DZ in Sweden. Seems like we do things different here, we don´t have any radio communication while under canopy and we pack on our own from the very beginning (with 4 controls during packing though - but not always by riggers). It´s cold, we wear gloves and we jump all year round, even students. SL is almost the only alternative in Sweden, AFF is only offered at a few places. From Sweden comes Viking skydivers and scubadivers, it´s not a walk in the park to get certified here I´ll say. Best Regards, Carl-Johan