Big_Red

I guess that depends on your definition of argue. *shrug* I would certainly want to know why they felt that way and I would want to try and dispel their fears and tell them why I think it is worthwhile for them to at least experience it, even if only once. Derec Davies Big_Red

Oh I agree full heartedly happythoughts! Hoola Hoop jumps are alot of fun and very easy to pull off. CSpenceFLY 1. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the question she asked as she really only wanted to know what to do with the Raft come deployment. With that said...I do agree that your question would have been a good question to ask. However, I may not have been on here as long as you have, but I have already learned that asking such an open ended question here only gets the very responses we have been seeing. That, unfortunately, only results in us needing to weed through a ton of shit, from people who think they are more knowledgable then they really are, to find the answers that are actually helpful (from people like happythoughts). 2. It is very easy to say, "If you don't want to know what others think don't come to an online forum and ask a question" however the only people who respond back with comments like, "...and you seem to have an attitude that just may kill you..." are really only looking for a reaction and to keep picking a fight. But since you appear to think otherwise why don't you share with me what you thought saying that was going to accomplish. I would like to think you are a bright guy so I can only imagine that, after reading this thread, you were fully capable of understanding what such a comment would cause. Derec Davies Big_Red

Could you enlighten the rest of us then as to what the right question should have been? I am also curious to know what about her attitude might kill her. The fact that she doesn't want to listen to people who think they know all say generalized statements such as "don't do it" or the fact that she has asked repeatedly for someone to provide appropriately detailed information? Seems more like you just want to continue picking a fight. "Hey! Look at that fire, lets add some gasoline!" :P As for Hoola Hoop jumps...they are tons of fun! I have already done one and look forward to doing more. Although I am sure it is just a matter of time before someone posts about how that might kill us too. Derec Davies Big_Red

pilotdave, I hate to tell you but there is nothing constructive or helpful about telling me not to do something when my question is asking for advice on how to do it properly. If my question was "Should I do it?" then I agree, no don't do it, would be acceptable. But alas, this was not a question about whether anyone should or should not do anything but instead one asking for helpful advice. So, in that regards, "don't do it" is not helpful. Now while I think your example was a poor one I would like to point out that if someone did want to jump from a plane without a rig (it has been done before...we have all seen the videos) then I think it would be helpful to give advice on how to do so with as much safety as could possibly be acheived in order to help increase the chances of them getting through the experience with little or no injury. Derec Davies Big_Red

Well that was about as useless a peice of advice as I have ever read. You guys need to understand that people are going to do these things whether you approve of it or not so unless you can give something more constructive then "Don't do it, it's dangerous" don't waste anyones times by posting. Be careful! If pajama's can kill you who knows what some lingerie might do! :P What does that have to do with anything? I could put in my profile that I have a thousands of jumps and you can't verify that to save your life. So instead, like most people on here who think they are experienced, you make a random generalization based on a peice on information in a profile that you deem to be factual. Even if that jump number were factual, there are alot of things that could increase her experience and/or knowledge and give her a superiour understanding of air flow and how objects will react when falling to earth. I imagine...a kick ass jump...me and all my friends are smiling after having a good time with no incidents. The raft has drifted safely to earth. Wow...that wasn't so bad. :P Err...Skydiving will never be "safe". I am sure what you meant to say in all your typed wisdom is that it can be made "safer". Prove to me their experience level in comparison to mine. You can't cause once again we are simply basing this on their own opinion or that of their friends and a number which the legitimacy of I cannot verify. Unfortunately, the sad thing about this place is that, that is all you people seem to do. Look the profile, make a generalization and then rant about safety or how dangerous it is or how we don't have the jump numbers to be doing these things. It gives the impression that if you had your way I would be sitting on the ground watching only those who were born with thousands of jumps and a knowledge of the sport surpased only by the Gods. Sucks to think that your attitudes and the way you approach things makes people not want to post here. As I said at the beginning of this post. We will do these things whether you like it or not so if you can't teach me how to be safer then please...don't teach me at all. Derec Davies Big_Red

I lived on Air Bases till I was 12 so I was not new to Airplanes or Parachuting. I knew long before I ever did my first jump that I was going to at least try Skydiving. Aug 2004 I did my first Tandem at Skydive Monteray from 18,000ft. I was hooked!!! I was ready to drop another $300 US to go again when I decided to wait. I figured I would go home, chill for the winter, and if I was still as gun-ho the following Summer I would go through my Student Progression. Then in Dec 2005 a couple buddies that my best friend went to pilot school with found out that I lived a 5 min walk from a buddy of there's. They started inviting my best friend and I over to chill with them and there friends and we started partying together. Well...it turned out they were all Skydivers. So I found myself with a bit of Savings (which I was planning on using towards Skydiving), a want to Skydive (especially after my Tandem), a whole new circle of friends who were Skydivers, and absolutely no reason to not do it. :D Now I have: 4 Tandems (had to do 3 more for my progression) 7 AFF's 27 Jumps (and counting...) My family totally supports me. In fact, they have no problems coming to the DZ to hang out and watch me jump and I totally plan to have my Sisters, Dad, and Little Brother do a Skydive. *edit - spelling* Derec Davies Big_Red

I think the difference between "being sexually free" and being a "slut" all has to do with why you/they are choosing to have "multiple" partners. I imagine that sexually liberated women have come to the conclusion that they very much enjoy sex and select there partners based on there wants and make sure to practice safe sex. Sluts on the other hand tend to be less selective and usually are looking for attention (be it negative or positive) Derec Davies Big_Red

Let me apologize now if this fuels the fire... Actually...my eyes are rolling back in my head cause of your post...not propilot's. As a newbie I want to point out that the ""OHMYGAWDWER'REALLGONNADIE!!!!!!!!" threads" don't scare me or stop me from posting on DZ.com. The People who want to make posts like yours and just generally want to rip into people are the reason why I think twice before coming on this site. Sad really...all this information available and all it takes is a couple of wanks to ruin it. Derec Davies Big_Red

I have a Javelin J4 and it currently holds: - Sabre 190 - Swift Plus 225 (Reserve) Derec Davies Big_Red

Why not put the number of the repack on the backside of the seal? It would just act like a seal number. Example: Rob Rigger packs my reserve. It is Rob Riggers 78th reserve repack. On the front of the seal is Rob Riggers initials and on the back of the seal is 0078 (078 or 78). Now the number on the back of the seal should match the number on the Data Card. This means that in order for me to "pencil pack" my Rig the number on the Data Card will not match the number on the back of the seal cause the numbers cannot be used twice by the same Rigger. Now when they check my gear they will see a number on a seal that won't match my Data Card. OR I have to pull the seal off so that the next person can't make that distinction and in that case they should force a repack for not having a seal. Derec Davies Big_Red

I was on my way to Skydive Arizona when I got into a conversation with some Whuffo's while boarding the plane in Chicago. This little ol Lady in front of me overheard people asking me about my Rig. She turns to me and asks: "Have you ever had to use it?" I asked: "My parachute"? She replied: "Yes" HAHAHAHA Derec Davies Big_Red

Men are boys with bigger toys... Being a man...boy...man?...boy? I can honestly say that is true. Derec Davies Big_Red

This may seem like a stupid question but... Do you have to have each and every jump signed in order for it to count? I understand having an Instructor sign off on coach jumps and what not but the reason why I ask is cause I don't understand how I can...say...do 10 jumps by myself and have someone (I.E. Instructor) sign it saying that I did what I am saying I have done when they weren't really there. Derec Davies Big_Red

If you don't mind me asking but how did you pay him? Did you use something like Paypal or a CC which offers buyer/seller protection? Derec Davies Big_Red

Probably not. But the "not dying" part does kinda require me to listen to my Instructor. (You know...that person that teaches you how to jump and "not die".) I mean really...if you are trying to point out that I am inexperienced you missed that boat. I pointed that out in my first post when I said "Hi, Im new". Derec Davies Big_Red