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From: ds4a@dalton.acc.Virginia.EDU (Dale Southard)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: CRW / license requirements
Message-ID: <1991Feb18.214418.22296@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
Date: 18 Feb 91 21:44:18 GMT
References: <2944@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU> <1991Feb18.121056.16982@hellgate.utah.edu>
Sender: usenet@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU
Organization: University of Virginia
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Ireallyam: ds4a

As I started this thread, I will ATTEMPT to solicit a lively discussion...


From message <1991Feb18.121056.16982@hellgate.utah.edu>

>I do not think that the general skydiving population is ready for a CRW
>license requirement.  There are many skydivers who are, and they have
>been recognized via the awards program.  But if CRW were made a license
>requirement, then what next?  Would we require a bungee jump from an
>aircraft?  CRW emergency procedures are about as well understood by
>most skydivers.  If you've ever been engulfed by lines and canopy then
>you can better understand and respect an individual's right to call him
>or herself an expert skydiver without participating in CRW.  I believe
>that a CRW license requirement would kill many more people than any
>other license requirement we have.
>
>Tom McCollough
>Night 4-Stack #691

Tom:

Yes, that is a response I expected...

The relative danger of CRW (??) is one reason why I suggest only a two
stack/plane as the requirement.  Yes, it does subject the jumper to the 
risk of entanglement.  BUT when that 40-way goes low, and everybody opens
at the same altitude, doesn't knowing about CRW give added safety?? I have
had as many lines around me as I care to, and I choose to take those risks,
but when I am heading towards the DZ under canopy, I would rather be near
the people that I have done CRW with -- because they are usually MUCH SAFER
to be around, far less likely to hit me.  (No, I don't get real close, but
if you had the choice, who would you rather fly between, two jumpers that
had CRW experience or two that didn't?).

I think even a fairly poor skydiver should be able to safely build a two stack
(hey, I built my first one when I had 20 jumps, well I flew and someone else
nabbed me). Isn't the knowledge of relative canopy manuvering gained by
doing CRW more immportant than the safety of never trying it?

Final point -- lots of skydivers that have never done CRW get into
intanglements -- Think that is safe?

But, whatever.  Tom's point is valid.  I am just fishing for opinions here.

Tom -- Lets do diamonds some time!



-->  -->  Dale  UVa  (ds4a@virginia.edu)