jhh166

Yes they do count. I have jumped over 2 months (due to injury) and was just off AFF. I have been doing tandems lately (done 3) and my instructors told me that they do count, and to log them in my logbook. What injury can a TI protect you against that you can not protect yourself from while solo? Whether tandem or solo it still involves the same hazards for existing injuries. I am just confused as to how a TI can keep your injury safe.

Not at all! Unless of course she is hot

I am in southern MD as well. We do not have many coyotes (although hunters claim to spot one every once and a while) but domesticated dogs can still cause a problem with livestock.

Yea, I kinda felt like that after a three week gap due to work and weather. What seems to work for me is to visualize the last few jumps I had and try to remember all the details from beginning to end. I mean from the moment you pull you rig of the rack to the debriefing and what the instructor (or coach in your case) had to say. To be honest this brought some bad practices to my attention that went under the radar and I never realized I was doing it until I was visualizing the dive hours or days later. Anyway, this is what helps me feel prepared.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

Thank you for clarifying.

I seen in one of your posts a few weeks back that you read "The Parachute and It's Pilot" multiple times. Did you skip chapter three? If I recall it is titled - Flying In Turbulence. (im not knocking you, just asking) Brian stated several times in the chapter to fly the canopy at full speed in turbulence. He mentioned other actions you can take as well if the canopy comes out of the "window," but made it very clear that speed is a good thing in turbulence. One reason was for the increase in pressure and the other reason - more obvious, to fly through it quicker. ETA: I was not commenting on the whole front riser turn. Just speed and turbulance

Sure is.

Skydivers don't have the financial wherewithall the DOD has. Do you really want to be spending over a hundred bucks for an instructor on a Cat G/H skydive? Definitely not

I’m not knocking it by any means (probably a misleading title). I was just thinking in regards to other training and how we structure training in the Marine Corp or Military in general. Almost always is the case as the student progresses so does the level of instructors and training. That’s what brought up the question. To be honest I cannot think of another training program out there that does it how the USPA does? As you advance, your instructors knowledge/experience deceases. I apologize if I offend some people bringing up the question. I have been making a living the last decade designing, implementing and evaluating training standards for the DOD. I just thought its different USPA does it backwards.

"The fundamental behind the rating is sound. Whether you get a good coach or not... is entirely up to your DZ community." I definitely do feel confident in my DZ community, great group of people who I feel are completely competent. Even the camera guys take a few minutes to address stuff with me at times and it is greatly appreciated. Of course I am biased – Isn’t every student’s DZ the best DZ...

Can some of the more experienced skydivers critique the Coaches Course? How well is the instruction that the coaches receive? Would you consider it adequate, unsatisfactory or stellar? My point being – the AFF Instructors teach me material that basically is essential for survival and now the coaches are to fine tune my skills. This is how I see it anyway. You really can’t say that coaches are not teaching lifesaving skills because I constantly read or hear how injuries/death are a result from the following: -Improper track -canopy collision ( I will soon be pulling at a lower altitude, with more traffic) -Braked approaches (or dicking around on an approach in general) All these things I will learn under a coaches discretion There are more things I could list and I don’t want to drag it out forever. But to me these are topics that merit input from experienced jumpers who ‘been there done that’. I personally would rather get instruction from the guy who looks worn, smells like vomit and alcohol but has the experience, rather than an jumper who is certified with 200 hundred jumps. I could be wrong. The only thing I learn everyday is how little I actually know. I just wanted to hear what others thought. And nothing against coaches because I am sure there are kick ass coaches out there and a few I look forward to learn from. Actually one of my long(er) term goals is to get a coaches rating. I just wanted to here what others though about it. I thought this would high jacked the other thread as it was more about student fee's with mandatory coaching.

Im excited, it's always fun watching the Steelers whip some arse. on a serious note though - football is going to have to take a back seat this year because the DZ i go to is only open on the weekends (few exceptions) and between weather or work there always seems to be an excuse as to why I can not jump.

I have had six openings under a navigator 280 (a common student canopy). They are docile yes , in terms of control inputs and speed but they by no means open slowly. I can tell you that the openings are fast enough to make the inside of my legs look like they have been caned! No shit, I have yet got to the count of two after throwing my PC out. When I feel the 'snatch' and look up, the slider is pretty much all ready at the risers. That navigator does not snivel very long at all. It is by no means a 'hard opening' to the point you see stars, but it is definitely not a soft opening. Also, I am not complaining - it is well worth the experience

My stomach hurts from reading these

I definitely screwed up my first jump by flaring to high. I new it about half way in to the flare and nothing you can do but ride it out and keep the brakes in place (I was taught to never let them back up). My ankles were so swollen I had to stop the car twice on the drive home to ice them up...shit sucked. I flared a bit to high again on the second jump and a fun jumper gave me some advice to not look at the ground directly underneath my feat because I will experience a ground rush. He told me to look out (in front of me) about 15 to 20 yards and keep the ground underneath me in my peripheral. I asked my instructor if it was good advice first! It really helped me with my landings (the very few I have). One thing, hope for the best and expect the worst. I would wait until your ankle heals up to handle another hard landing.

Done - best of luck. I am glad he is returning safe!

I saw this in the Marine corp Times. I laughed because I can see some boot ass officer or captain trying to enforce this. I would pop like a hand grenade if someone tryed to pull that shit with me. (no pun intended)

That site is great... never knew it existed. Thank you

Absolutely, they did show us pictures. Thank you for the links.

I definitly do read the SIM, that is the go to for me. I was just looking for supplemental visual aids.

You tube may be a good source for some but at my level my problem is being able to tell what was moronic and what was not.

Nice! Thanks.

I understand the fact that my priority as a student (aff cat e), in regards to a malfunction is dealt with one solution when it comes to a canopy that does not function correctly…Check my altitude and make sure I’m not below my cutaway altitude - Look, grab, look, pull, pull. I beat that procedure into my skull and make it muscle memory, every chance I get! I definitely do not question that is not the correct emergency procedure what so ever, nor do I plan on changing it up. Unless of course, I was advised to do so by one of my instructors. I was just wondering if there was a website or something where they had pictures or videos to show what each malfunction looks like and a corrective action if one exist. I know I can youtube some of the stuff I just cannot verify what is legit or just some idiot wasting time/altitude on a malfunction that will never be fixed. With that said, anyone have a source that helped them in the learning process? Thanks