Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do you
have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway through
my AFF.

--
Regards,
-- Mark

Mark Lepkowski
Email: webmaster at mclTunes dot-com
http://www.mcltunes.com

From:	mcltunes
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	22 Jan 2005 19:02:18 -0800

Mark Lepkowski wrote:
> Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions?

I just stumbled across this link tonight:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/sports/skydiving/faq/

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:24:46 GMT

mcltunes wrote:

> I just stumbled across this link tonight:
> http://www.faqs.org/faqs/sports/skydiving/faq/

Keep in mind Barry's FAQ is outdated in places, and contains a
bit of B.S.

From:	mart
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 09:41:09 +0200

"Mike Spurgeon wrote
> Keep in mind Barry's FAQ is outdated in places, and contains a bit of B.S.

As opposed to the info received on this Newsgroup. All of it is outdated and
the whole lot is bs.

From:	the unknown flailer
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	11 Jan 2005 20:59:31 -0800

bigjim wrote:
> Mike is going to take the hard line, old school approach to
everything. In
> skydiving, this is not a bad place to be coming from.

Nope, only thing better is handing out PT to youngsters

> Tom makes a lot of really good points.

Tom don't have Mikes long years of experience in dealing with newbies
from all angles, bet Mike can even tell you what their thinking ahead
of time & what their next first fuckup of the days going to be, before
it happens.....you gotta be able to read people, thats a gift and the
biggest part of teaching, everything else is just rote....I having the
gift of insight, just ain't diplomatic enough for it to translate plus
I'm kind of a tricky thinker

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 08 Jan 2005 07:39:08 GMT

Mark Lepkowski wrote:
> Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do you
> have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway through
> my AFF.

Forget the FAQ, and forget the links.

Listen to your instructor/s, and your instructors only...

From:	the unknown flailer
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	9 Jan 2005 00:59:50 -0800

Tom B wrote:
> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote in message
> news:41E0AD5F.3040401@spurgeon.net...
> > Rev Jim wrote:
> >> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote
> >>>The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
> >>>He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
> >>>information elsewhere...
> >> Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?
> > Did you ever teach a first jump course?
> > Or feel responsible for a student's progress or mistakes?
> > How many jumps did you have when you got into wingsuits?
> > How many did you tell them you had?
>
> Assuming that that every student or new jumper seeking additional
sources of
> information is second guessing his instructors is absurd. If you were
about
> anyone else I would assume the viewpoint was the extension of the
group
> member, AFF, coach, get money for an ever increasing number of high
cost
> jumps per student mentality. >
> For a lot of us, this is the dead of winter and jumping is 3 months
away.
> Him sitting in his living room for 3 months watching 500 ft ceilings
other
> the window does not make a lot of sense. Even if he can jump, there
is a
> great deal of information out there that can be picked up that would
help
> any jumper, in any skydiving program. Steering them to good sources
makes
> far more sense than telling very curious people that they can't read
or
> watch anything at all, then sitting aside while they go to bullshit
sources
> instead of helpful ones that match your DZ's program.
>
> First among them are the SIM and the FAR's. He can read up on air
traffic
> rules and weather. He can begin studying skydiving equipment and gain
the
> vocabulary to have a real equipment discussion with his instructor. >
Tom B

Well I don't see a problem wih the kid sudying his SIMS but over all
Mike is right----Number one it ain't winter
every where tommydink, plenty of good days in S. Cal, Ariz, S Texas and
Florida----did the student say he was up north or back east? If he's
going thru the AFF program down south or out west his plate is pretty
full if not overloaded....to much advaned information can be counter
productive, slow his progress plus theres a lota shit he don't need to
be getting mixed up wih right now, including wreck skydiving. So
overall I'd say Mikes more right than the rest of you yardbirds "as
usual". Everything the student needs right now should be in the DZ's
student course and his SIMS. We will have to except he has experianced
JM's although we all know that varys from DZ to DZ, some put more
effort into their students than others---so I vote on the west coast
wise mans side even though he's more a rabid old republican,,,,, not a
old grouch as biggyjim tried to imply

From:	bigjim
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 9 Jan 2005 13:33:14 -0800

Mike is going to take the hard line, old school approach to everything. In
skydiving, this is not a bad place to be coming from. Fewer people die
making really conservative jumps than at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Tom makes a lot of really good points. Properly applied knowledge is
power. The more a student knows, and the sooner he knows it the safer he
will be. The problem is there are a lot of hacks walking around spouting
bullshit and most students can't tell the difference. At least as far as
things
directly concerning skydiving knowledge, that knowledge should come solely
from a student's instructor(s), through the A License level.

Bottom line, I am agreeing with Mike. Miracles never cease to happen.

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 19:27:18 GMT

bigjim wrote:
> Mike is going to take the hard line, old school approach to everything.

No way...

But after 28 years of dealing with them, definitely with students
that seem to be wandering around looking for answers.

A structured approach is the only way.

Even then you should always worry about what you have forgotten
or could make simpler.

Second guessing ahead of time is always easier than after the
incident.

> Tom makes a lot of really good points.

He did.

> Bottom line, I am agreeing with Mike. Miracles never cease to
happen.

Only where there's not much wiggle room...

Then again, the original poster hasn't returned. Could have been
a troll to see who would respond, and with what attitude.

From:	Eldon Tyrell
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 15:49:34 -0500

he seems pretty sincere, since he posted his personal web page and photo..

> Then again, the original poster hasn't returned. Could have been a troll
> to see who would respond, and with what attitude.

From:	Mark Lepkowski
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 23:54:48 GMT

Not a troll. Just a newbie skydiver looking to read up on my newest sport.
I'm not trying to secondguess anyone either. Thanks to all who provided
some helpful links.

"Mike Spurgeon" wrote in message
news:41E1857E.7060804@spurgeon.net...

> Then again, the original poster hasn't returned. Could have been a troll
> to see who would respond, and with what attitude.
>

From:	Eldon Tyrell
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 08 Jan 2005 17:45:48 -0500

my advice is to buy the Guy Manos video "Kinesthesia"
and also a pro-packing video. dont listen to any of the "experts" on this
NG unless you have a VERY specific question.

On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 07:34:23 +0000, Mark Lepkowski wrote:

> Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do
> you have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway
> through my AFF.

From:	Jerry K.
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 08 Jan 2005 20:28:30 -0600

On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 17:45:48 -0500, Eldon Tyrell
wrote:

>my advice is to buy the Guy Manos video "Kinesthesia"
>and also a pro-packing video. dont listen to any of the "experts" on this
>NG unless you have a VERY specific question.

Turoff and Poytner's book is also a good resource.

....bsrp
....jlk

>
>
>
>On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 07:34:23 +0000, Mark Lepkowski wrote:
>
>> Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do
>> you have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway
>> through my AFF.

From:	D3331
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	08 Jan 2005 23:33:10 GMT

Packing
http://www.skydivetheranch.com/propack.htm

Skydiving
http://www.normankent.com/store_kinesthesia_videonew.htm

And a post from me would not be complete without this link.
http://www.jumpshack.com/

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 08 Jan 2005 23:48:04 GMT

Eldon Tyrell wrote:
> my advice is to buy the Guy Manos video "Kinesthesia"
> and also a pro-packing video. dont listen to any of the "experts" on this
> NG unless you have a VERY specific question.

And since he's only halfway through AFF, he shouldn't be
listening to *anything* here...

> On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 07:34:23 +0000, Mark Lepkowski wrote:
>
>
>>Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do
>>you have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway
>>through my AFF.

From:	Rev Jim
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 8 Jan 2005 19:52:46 -0600

"Mike Spurgeon" wrote
> Eldon Tyrell wrote:
> > my advice is to buy the Guy Manos video "Kinesthesia"
> > and also a pro-packing video. dont listen to any of the "experts" on
this
> > NG unless you have a VERY specific question.
>
>
> And since he's only halfway through AFF, he shouldn't be
> listening to *anything* here...
>

Aww, c'mon Mike, isn't that a bit harsh? I mean, ya know, we do have a
wealth of information here, such as that recent thread about breathing in
freefall. Cut the guy some slack. Chances are he's already read most of
Snuffy's diatribe and gone running with his tail between his legs, never to
be heard from again...

Rev Jim

From:	JimBo
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	09 Jan 2005 01:58:04 GMT

>Subject: Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
>From: "Rev Jim" iskydive@charter.net

> Cut the guy some slack. Chances are he's already read most of
>Snuffy's diatribe and gone running with his tail between his legs

dont say that name three times...I keep warning you.

Jim D-10154

Man small... why fall ? Skies call... thats all.

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 03:23:41 GMT

Rev Jim wrote:
> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote

>>And since he's only halfway through AFF, he shouldn't be
>>listening to *anything* here...

> Aww, c'mon Mike, isn't that a bit harsh?

No.

The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".

He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
information elsewhere...

From:	Rev Jim
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 8 Jan 2005 21:43:54 -0600

"Mike Spurgeon" wrote
> Rev Jim wrote:
> > "Mike Spurgeon" wrote
>
> >>And since he's only halfway through AFF, he shouldn't be
> >>listening to *anything* here...
>
> > Aww, c'mon Mike, isn't that a bit harsh?
>
> No.
>
> The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
>
> He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
> information elsewhere...

Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?

Rev Jim

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 04:05:09 GMT

Rev Jim wrote:
> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote

>>The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
>>
>>He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
>>information elsewhere...
>
>
> Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?

Did you ever teach a first jump course?

Or feel responsible for a student's progress or mistakes?

How many jumps did you have when you got into wingsuits?

How many did you tell them you had?

From:	Tom B
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 06:54:37 GMT

"Mike Spurgeon" wrote in message
news:41E0AD5F.3040401@spurgeon.net...
> Rev Jim wrote:
>> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote
>>>The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
>>>He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
>>>information elsewhere...
>> Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?
> Did you ever teach a first jump course?
> Or feel responsible for a student's progress or mistakes?
> How many jumps did you have when you got into wingsuits?
> How many did you tell them you had?

Yes, Yes, N/A, N/A

Assuming that that every student or new jumper seeking additional sources of
information is second guessing his instructors is absurd. If you were about
anyone else I would assume the viewpoint was the extension of the group
member, AFF, coach, get money for an ever increasing number of high cost
jumps per student mentality. One tool I have used to reduce this problem is
taking 30 seconds to talk with the student about not just his last jump, but
what he has seen since. or

For a lot of us, this is the dead of winter and jumping is 3 months away.
Him sitting in his living room for 3 months watching 500 ft ceilings other
the window does not make a lot of sense. Even if he can jump, there is a
great deal of information out there that can be picked up that would help
any jumper, in any skydiving program. Steering them to good sources makes
far more sense than telling very curious people that they can't read or
watch anything at all, then sitting aside while they go to bullshit sources
instead of helpful ones that match your DZ's program.

First among them are the SIM and the FAR's. He can read up on air traffic
rules and weather. He can begin studying skydiving equipment and gain the
vocabulary to have a real equipment discussion with his instructor. He can
get a couple of years of old Parachutists and Skydiving magazines and learn
from other's fuck ups. He can take an introductory flight and perhaps even
ground school to become familiar as possible with normal aircraft
operations. If he is not a swimmer, then his training needs to start with
the Guppies and Tadpoles, at the Y, not from somebody that earned an I once.
He can read up on exercising and stretching, as both significantly reduce
injuries on he DZ.

I agree some aspects of skydiving should be handled face to face, including
packing and emergency procedures, and I never recommended students to study
these outside materials until after the officially training had taken
place. Same with buying gear. Hold off and get help. But learning about it?
Reading the user feedback on DZ.com?

If we know that students are going to ignore the instructions and read about
skydiving outside of their training programs, and we do know that, then it
would seem to make sense to steer them to the better sources and away from
the terrible ones.

Tom B

From:	Rev Jim
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sat, 8 Jan 2005 22:34:01 -0600

"Mike Spurgeon" wrote
> Rev Jim wrote:
> > "Mike Spurgeon" wrote
>
> >>The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
> >>
> >>He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
> >>information elsewhere...
> >
> >
> > Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?
>
> Did you ever teach a first jump course?

No, nor do I ever.

>
> Or feel responsible for a student's progress or mistakes?

Yes.

>
> How many jumps did you have when you got into wingsuits?

None of your (non-regulated) business.

>
> How many did you tell them you had?

The truth.

Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?

Rev Jim

From:	Mike Spurgeon
Subject:	Re: Is there a skydiving FAQ?
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 05:35:41 GMT

Rev Jim wrote:
> "Mike Spurgeon" wrote
>
>>Rev Jim wrote:
>>
>>>"Mike Spurgeon" wrote
>>
>>>>The pertinent part is"'shouldn't".
>>>>
>>>>He's already second guessing his instructors by looking for
>>>>information elsewhere...
>>>
>>>
>>>Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?
>>
>>Did you ever teach a first jump course?
>
>
> No, nor do I ever.
>
>
>>Or feel responsible for a student's progress or mistakes?
>
>
> Yes.
>
>
>>How many jumps did you have when you got into wingsuits?
>
>
> None of your (non-regulated) business.

I have a bit more knowledge of this than you might be aware of.
I was a Greene County jumper for well upwards of 20 years.

>>How many did you tell them you had?
>
>
> The truth.

Same answer.

> Wow, Mike, do you ever lighten up?

Not when it comes to students asking questions of anyone not
personally supervising them...

From:	Eldon Tyrell
Subject:	get a digitude
Date:	Sun, 09 Jan 2005 11:55:20 -0500

i also recommend you should buy a digital altimeter. the analog
ones, especially cheap or old ones, stick sometimes in freefall.

while this is unlikely to be fatal, it will scare the shit out
of you if you're a low time jumper..

> On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 07:34:23 +0000, Mark Lepkowski wrote:
>
>> Where can I find a list of frequently asked skydiving questions? And do
>> you have any really good links I should read up on? I'm about halfway
>> through my AFF.