This may come a bit late as I have stumbled upon this thread a year after it's most recent activity. But anyhow I will give my 2 cents. Not on scuba on the pulling at 4500+ ordeal rather. I only have 65 jumps and an A license but I believe I have learned alot on this topic. I have gone from what I consider one of the most conservative dropzones (Chambersburg) to one of the most care free dropzones (The Ranch). Chambersburg requires aads and is a firm believer of developing good skills and working at your own pace. I love it there and consider it my home. The ranch well if you don't know the rep there you haven't been in the sport very long. I am not critisizing either I love being at both places and the ranch is becoming my second home dz but there are issues that come about when jumping tow very different dzs especially when you have been trained at one and expect similar operations at every other dz. i.e. I am 205 out the door and at chambersburg many had suggested a 210 sil as a first canopy, easy to pack fairly for4giving etc. I get to the ranch and am bsing about gear choices and people can't believe I would even consider something larger than a 190 saber2. Some places encourage you to progress by pushing your limits others encourage you to be conservative and progress in a safes slow fashion. I am a hippocrit I push friends to progress by pushing their limits in skiing yet am very conservative in the air. Back to the point: A high pull of 4-5k at chambersburg is discouraged for a new comer "take your time find the dz learn your canopy is the mantra" the same pull altitude at the ranch and you are looked at like a lepper. I don't think either is wrong one pushes you to become more comfortable in less perfect situations the other allows you to be relaxed and allows for more error. I believe the biggest issue is in training programs. At chambersburg I was never told " we are very conservative and we encourage conservative progression but be aware at other dzs you may need to adjust due to the following factors. Same goes for the ranch everyone I have met who got their license there seems to think that pulling low down sizing fast etc. no aad required etc. is the norm. I think in that case students should be warned that 'hey we are relaxed and everything goes but when you go somewhere else be prepared that people may be more conservative and don't get to crazy before you test the waters. I don't think either is right or worng I just think there should be a 5-10 minute discussion on cultural issues that may arrise when visiting other dropzones, before you get your A license. Same goes for DZ control The ranch no rules and no concerns, at chambersburg you had best bet JR or Kathy has their eye on you and what you are doind, jumping, etc. neither is a bad way to do things just different. Once again I am a rookie and what the hell do I know but most of my collegiate studies have focused on cultural effects of technology so I think I have a background here in understanding how different societal groupds deal with similar situations.
Cheers!
