CJMeredith

I hesitated to get into this debate and have been surprised that it's gone on as long as it has. However, the answer seems pretty clear to me - Everyone is right! We all make the decision that best fits our own personal situation. Personally, I'm convinced that in most circumstances, a Cypres saves lives and I always jump with one. But, I've got a wife, two kids, a dog, and a mortgage (and enough life insurance to take care of them all). My life belongs to others as much as it belongs to me. I skydive for myself - I use a Cypres for them. If my circumstances were different, would I still use a Cypres? Maybe not. The other thing that occurs to me is that we all jump for different reasons. For me, the danger is an unavoidable element to experience the adrenaline rush. For others, the danger is the primary component (whether they realize it or not). They're the ones who are constantly pushing the limits and I say more power to them. I'm also in the military and I've spent a professional career dealing with high risk training. When I was younger, the riskier the better. Now that I'm older, I don't feel the same burn to go out and see how far I can go. I'm a believer in risk management and when you're responsible for others, I think you have to be. But, if you're just responsible for yourself, and you're not putting anyone else in danger, then do whatever you want (as long as it's legal). I also always wear my seatbelt and would never ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but I am vehemently opposed to seatbelt and helmet laws because they infringe on our personal freedom to decide how much protection we want. Everyone should have the right to get thrown through the windshield, smash their melons on the pavement or smack the ground when unforeseen circumstances occur. As long as you don't hurt anybody else, it's everyone's right to decide their own level of safety. Certainly there are the larger implications to the sport when people start bouncing, but thousands of people die in car accidents every year and people are still driving - the sport can survive a few additional accidents every year. I am amazed at the name calling and sweeping judgements being made by the radicals on both sides of this issue. Whether you believe that Cypreses should be worn or not, we all have the right to make our own informed decisions without being declared an "idiot." The radicals need to tone it down a notch or two.