secondthoughts

Take it to a rigger and have them inspect it. Let them know it's been sitting around for 6 years. Replace what they recommend you replace. Edit: When you get it to the rigger, have them let you fire the reserve. It won't come out of the bag, but it's still fun

All this discussion is both fascinating and confusing. I've come to the conclusion that the tandem skydive probably isn't the best way to face the challenge I've imagined that I wanted to overcome. The thing that has most captured my attention is the act of will it must take to leave the plane. I can only guess what a wonderful reward must come with that commitment. Now that I've had the time to read more and talk to several people it seems as though the best way to experience this would be the AFF program. The place that issued this certificate seems very willing to trade in the value towards the class. Thanks again for the kind words and advice.

This explaination makes it easier to understand what you said earlier. I really had no idea what to think without knowing more about what motivated you to write it. I understand that this must be a common thing for you to get questions about. I'm not looking for someone to tell me everything will be fine. I'm really only trying to find out what types of questions I should be asking. Does that make sense? The accident nearby makes it clear that problems can happen. I wanted to know how and why. I have gotten a number of messages from area skydivers explaining the basics of what happened and inviting me to meet them and visit their dropzones. I'm planning to do that when the weather is good. I'd like to add one final thing. After I read several of the notes people were sending me I came to understand that the skydiver who died is probably a friend to them and some of you who have answered my questions here. I would like to apoglogize if my original message was insensitive. I'm looking forward t meeting some of you soon. Please be careful :-)

I was trying to ask about safety, not about danger. I’m a trauma nurse. I’m acutely aware of what danger is and what its effects are. I see the results of extreme sports gone wrong on a fairly regular basis. I’m not sure I see what’s “extreme” about being attached to someone in a harness and going for a skydive with them other than the idea that I feel it would be extremely stupid not to ask questions first. If asking questions is considered a sign that trying a skydive isn’t for me, then I’m not sure I’d want to be strapped to someone with your attitude anyway. Your comment implies that you don’t ask questions. I'd have a hard time trusting someone like that with my well being. Maybe I should be glad that I’m asking questions in Ohio and not in Arizona. I've gotten some really nice suggestions from people in this area.

Thanks for all this information. Several people have suggested that I go to the place before I schedule the skydive. That seems like the best idea. I'm grateful for all the input. I also like the comment about you wanting to live life in the air and not on a couch. For me, life has always been fullest when I'm sailing. I don't own a television :-) Thanks again

Thank you for your answer. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the information here. I'll read more and try to keep an open mind.

Hi. I found this group searching for information about skydiving. At first I was just going to try to ask one question but seeing the things that are listed here I think I might have more than one thing to ask. I got a gift certificate to do a tandem skydive for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I've always thought that it would be an amazing test of will to do that. The next day I was going to call to make an appointment and I saw on the news that somone in this area had been killed because both of their parachutes didn't open. I assumed that this was not very common and when I was searching for information I found this group. I was going to ask for input about how dangerous this would be and the first thing I noticed when I joined was that there are over 1000 discussions about incidents that were fatal or almost fatal. I've known several people who did tandem skydives and had a wonderful time without seeming very worried about being hurt. I have to admit that I'm conflicted about what I read about safety and what I see here. Can anyone shed light on this for me or refer me to a good place to explain the dangers of this before I make my decision?