boxingrrl

I'm so sorry that you've had this experience. Thanks for sharing it with us, and reminding us all of how quickly things can go bad. Take care of yourself-- let others take care of you, and try not to worry too much. You'll have plenty of time to iron out the details later. Here's to your speedy recovery-- physically and emotionally.

I'll second that. They're awesome. I've dealt with the office overseas and a service person here in the states. Both were incredibly fast and definitely more than fair. I'll buy more from them as soon as I can afford to.

Also-- we are offering CPR training. I do have some openings in each class-- Sat, 3/13 8:30-11:30am for recertifying, and Sun 3/14, 9:30-4:30 for the full class. Cost is only $10. Please contact me if you're interested.

firstime-- some of the posts above yours might have some of the answers you're looking for. Yes, 90 minutes in the tunnel is a lot-- but, depending on how many people you're splitting it with and how it's formatted, you'll probably be OK. They generally don't let you stay in the tunnel for more than a few minutes at one time-- someone else will take a turn, then perhaps someone else, and then maybe you again. Being prepared is good-- stretching and strengthening aren't going to be bad for you, regardless. See the summary above. Enjoy your trip and tunnel time

Re: fitness balls Sometimes these things are easier explained in person, but I'll try... You can lay face down on the ball, with it primarily under your hips, supporting your low back. Always have either one hand and opposite foot touching the ground, or both feet or both hands. (you would think that would be intuitive, but I've seen people just roll right off.) So, you're on the ball, and can then do the maneuvers described above for the floor. Be sure you're in a clear area, so that if you do lose your balance, you don't bang into a wall or anything. Try the opposite arm and leg maneuver for several reps and a slow 5 count. Then, support yourself with your hands on the floor and raise just your extended legs behind you. When you do just arms, I really recommend that you start with your feet braced against a wall. Keep your legs straight and head neutral as you raise your upper body so it is just in alignment with the rest of you. (No need to really hyperextend.) To increase intensity, you can begin adding a medicine ball or dumbbell to the arms only portion, keeping arms extended, holding the weight or ball in your hands. You can also just roll on the ball, face down, to stretch out your back. If you relax, particularly with the ball under your hips and supporting your low back, it will really stretch this area out and usually feels really good. (Again, remember to keep in contact with the floor with either arms or legs, or both.) Fitness balls are super for all kinds of ab exercises, too. Push-ups with the ball under your legs are challenging-- the more it's under your hips, the easier it is, the closer to your feet, the more challenging. This is also great for core strength. Push-ups with your hands on the ball (and the ball braced against the wall for beginners) will give you a whole new perspective. Some gyms offer classes based just around ball exercises. And-- one of my favorites-- you can use the ball to practice your sit-fly. Again, get yourself in a clear area. Try to find a ball sized so that when you sit you have a comfortable 90 degree angle at your knees. Get your arms out and as you gain confidence, begin picking up your feet and sit-flying. If you weren't sure where you're obliques were before, you'll be able to find them in just a few short minutes of practicing this. Again-- great for core strength (abs, low back), which will come in handy for tunnel time, hard core skydiving season, and hauling groceries (or lots of beer), too.

Something to try at home: (Unless contraindicated by medical conditions, doctor's advice, etc...) 1) Lie face down on the floor, arms straight out in front, legs extended behind. Keeping your head neutral, raise your right arm and left leg as far as you comfortably can. Hold for a slow 5 count. Relax and switch sides. Keep your leg straight, helps to keep the toe pointed. Do about 5 on each side. Then, keeping toes on the floor, raise both arms-- extended straight out in front, and upper body, as far as you comfortably can. Hold for slow 5 count. Repeat about 5 times. Then, do both legs, keeping head and arms relaxed and legs straight. (5 count, for 5 reps.) Now you're ready for arms and legs together. In essence, this is like practicing your arch, but with your arms and legs extended. You should feel your glutes and low back muscles working. (again, hold for a slow 5 count, and repeat for 5) Increase (or decrease) the count number and repetitions based on your fitness level. It's not recommended that you totally fatigue your low back muscles, as they have to support you all day. Go slow, and be gentle. Make them work, but stop before you can't possibly do anymore, or you'll likely be sorry. If you have a fitness ball, there are some great options for low back work on that. Also, gyms often have "roman chairs" for this type of exercise, in addition to the options of deadlifting, cable deadlifts, good mornings, etc. Edited to add: Stretching is good. (Very good) Just make sure you're warmed up a bit first, and try not to bounce. In order to increase your flexibility, you really have to hold a stretch. Take a few deep breaths and try to relax into it. Never force it. Good luck! Robin (ACE Certified Personal Trainer)

You're in good company-- my husband got his nickname-- Treeboy-- because he couldn't climb a tree to retrieve a cutaway. He just hit 3000 jumps-- but when we were taking a tree out of our yard, I was the one shimmying the ladder to tie it off. He's a helluva skydiver, and a both feet on the ground kind of guy.

I do not like to see someone chop if it is a fixable problem, but I like much less to see them do nothing! You will learn in time what is fixable and what is not, for now just take action like you have already. You landed under a fully functioning canopy, which is much better any day of the week to landing a less than functional canopy. The most important thing is to learn from your disappointments, maybe next time you'll not chop a brake unstowed, but doing something is better than doing nothing! You did good! I think it was skycat who had these cutaways, not me, but I really appreciate your being supportive in this manner. That's exactly what I'd love to see more of-- and less of the "I woulda' rode that in. What a waste"skygod mentality.

Thank You! This is what I've been trying to get at. Maybe I just haven't made myself clear enough previously. And this, too... speculation or not... there are things that the dead and injured can teach us. Whether we choose to listen or not is up to us. And, whether we care to contribute to a culture or attitude that contributes to it is up to us as individuals as well. Telling stories around the campfire is one thing... deriding or belittling a jumper for saving their own life is a whole 'nother matter.

Luckily yes-- you did the right thing at the right time. A woman last year did not take the criticism so well and went in because of it. (I believe she had over 1000 jumps). While I cannot blame her decision on the people who gave her so much crap for her 1st cutaway (2 weeks prior, same problem), one cannot help but think that incidents like these might squash some of that Monday morning quarterbacking. I think the best that we can do for each other is to simply be supportive. If education is needed, so be it, but the presentation should reinforce that a jumper has made the right decision if they weren't comfortable with the condition of their canopy and they got rid of it. One can always suggest simple fixes and things to try next time (if there's altitude) without condemning someone for making it safely to the ground under a reserve. I apologize for the rant... for some reason, this macho attitude about riding problem canopies down and/or criticizing people who don't really gets my goat.

Sweet! Those weren't your first helicopter jumps were they? I really like the 3rd shot.

That's a very good point. Hmmm... Can't think of any down sides to it. Thanks for bringing that up.

I'm such a newbie that I still have more tandems with experienced jumpers as passengers. Damn those front seat drivers-- they all wanted to do it themselves. My real student(s) though, have helped. But the first one did exactly what the TI/E said could be a problem: He kept trying to flare on the not-yets. Picked up a little trick from one of the other posts about this. From now on I'll hang on to the risers until I'm ready for them to flare.

OMG-- ROFLMAO! I love "Teamwork" and "Strife"

Bin Laden could have his own "Apprentice" show The would-be terrorists who don't measure up get to be the next suicide bomber. Next, on FOX 45.

I can't say it any better than that. I consider myself still very new to the sport, and thankfully haven't lost any close friends. I've been on the DZ for a fatality, and have had some friends injured, to be sure. I know that analyzing their actions is important, but I think that this addresses more of their state-of-mind, which has to be equally, if not more important. Not to hijack-- but where does the attitude about cutting away come from? Jan mentions it more than once in her post and I've seen it/witnessed it/borne the brunt of it. It does bother me. I hate to think that someone would hesitate to cutaway because they're afraid of what people will think, for crying out loud. I guess my question is more wondering if this is a recent phenomena or something that has always been a part of the sport?

I started on a KZ650-- Old, huge and heavy-- 800+lbs. Cool bike though. Got into sport bikes and had an 86 Honda Hurricane 600. Rode boyfriend's Ninja 600 and 900. But now, skydiving prohibits the expenditure of cash on anything but jumptickets and gear. Are you learning to ride or just getting your first bike? I highly recommend the Motorcycle Safety Courses that are offered nationally, I believe. They teach you things that your friends forget to tell you in the parking lot. Really worth checking into, and in some places a pass in the course counts as your motorcycle license test. Just a little FYI

What they said! Thanks!

Perhaps you're a metrosexual... did you check the mirror to see how your ass looked while you skipped?

Yep, those trees can make for some funky landings. There was even a fatality during a pond swooping gig a few years ago, that some folks partially attributed to the rotors. So, why go all the way to the Ranch? CASA boogie at Skydive Greene County... Camping, bonfires, good times and humongous landing area. Your A-license and demonstrated currency are cool with us. We generally have a lot of good folks organizing and coaching all disciplines. We could possibly pull off a Women's Way again this year... Puleeze?

Remember that Safety Day is an excellent chance to drop off your rig for a repack and/or Cypres batteries/service. Our riggers will have it back to you in plenty of time for the CASA's return in April.

Wow. Kudos to you and your co-workers for doing what needs to be done. People are just unbelievable. If you need some (non work-related) humor, you should really read the "sneeze" thread. (just not while eating or drinking-- you might need medical assistance yourself then.)

Oh, just stick around Skydive Greene County-- Xenia, OH-- Fourth of July Boogie--

Me, too... I usually try to give fair warning to those in the immediate vicinity, though. I've always hoped that someday someone would hear that Counting Crows song and think of me... "Everytime she sneezes I believe it's love...." Still waiting

I think what the skinny thing boils down to is that most girls are terribly self-conscious and don't like feeling "fatter" or "bigger" than their dude-- regardless of whether they (the women) are actually fat or big for their body type/height. That's just social conditioning, I think... But-- it really is about personality and overall attractiveness. I once had a boyfriend that did not make a huge impression physically. However, he was the sweetest, most considerate and giving man. So, once I'd already fallen for him, it didn't matter that he was a bit of stringbean. I just had to get over my own girly insecurities in the bedroom. So, Zee, and all you thinner fellas-- there is hope. Just be your best and most wonderful selves. Girls are going to love you anyway.