Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!linac,att!ucbvax!f15.n233.z1.fidonet.org!SKYDIVE
From: SKYDIVE@f15.n233.z1.fidonet.org (SKYDIVE)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: DeLand Bounce
Message-ID: <2690.27E55FEE@ehsnet.fidonet.org>
Date: 15 Mar 91 20:07:45 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Lines: 76

Reply-to: Dave.Appel@p30.f30.n231.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Appel)
Fido-To: mike balenger

In a message to Skydive <14 Mar 91 11:35> uiucuxc!hosmsb.att.com!ms wrote:

ui> SKYDIVE> That sounds like something Scotty would do.

ui> It's tought to say what *YOU* would do in the situation until *YOU*
ui> are actually there, so please refrain from judging other's motives or
ui> capabilities.  You may have tried, and bounced with the guy.  You may
ui> have tried, and gotten ground rush at 2 grand.  You may have saved
ui> him, but still bounced.  YOU DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!!!!

ui> Don't be so quick to condemn a guy who *SURVIVED* an attempt to save
ui> the life of one who *DIED*.

<sigh> I didn't mean to condemn Scotty for trying to save a life.  

In response to Nick DiGiovanni's message, I wrote:
 ============ start of what I originally said =================
 "That sounds like something Scotty would do.  Scotty dumped at
 around 1,000 feet a couple times at a local DZ before the
 owners threatened to ground him.  Humming it to save someone is
 a noble thing to do, but there comes a point where bravery
 crosses the line and becomes stupidity.
  
 I don't know if I have the skills to chase an unconscious
 jumper, but I don't think I'd go below 1,500 if I did.
 ================= end of what I originally said ===========

     Note that I gave PRAISE, albeit qualified, to Scotty, saying 
it was a "noble thing to do".  I didn't condemn him. I don't know 
where the point that "bravery becomes stupidity" is, I just said 
that there is one. Everyone has their own individual limits.
     If Scotty thinks that regularly dumping at 1,000 is ok for 
him, then he probably thinks 700 is ok for an emergency to 
save someone's life.  Scotty pulls low a lot, that's common 
knowledge. I don't believe that's ok for me, and I certainly 
wouldn't recommend pulling that low to others, even to save 
a life. That's my belief.
     This is an open forum, and we're just expressing our 
beliefs/opinions/stories on skydiving.  Anyway, please don't 
think I was condemning Scotty for trying to save a life.  
     However, did he go "too low" in trying to save the guy?
Well, that's the opinion part.  I'm saying I wouldn't go that
low.  Personally, I wouldn't hum it to 700 feet to save my own
mother. 1,200 feet maybe. 
 
     Note that I myself said "I don't know if I have the skills
to chase an unconscious jumper." I didn't say that I could have 
saved him, or would have saved him.  I didn't say that I would 
even try or not. 

ui> This is real life, not a mini-series.

Yup.  Everytime I read and sign a waiver I'm reminded.

Thanks for returning my phone call.

Cute tag line:    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
                   "Eat, Fart, Skydive"
                    "It's what I do."
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--- XRS! 4.00-
--- eecp 1.45 LM2 

 * Origin: The Drop Zone, Dave Appel, 1:231/250.3 (Quick 1:231/30.30)
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