hehehehehe. I probably would not have jumped until after I heard about all the cool technology involved. if your chute don't open, you pull your reserve or backup chute. everyone gets one. and there's a computer that cuts your ripcord if you black out and it detects horizontal and vertical rates along with altitude and WILL launch your chute for you. again required for new jumpers. strk, did you know that while outside a plane you are considered a craft in the sky exactly like another airplane according to FAA? Man, now I'm exciting myself. Ever since then on commercial jets, I gaze out the window and think what two minutes of free fall wold be like at 35,000 feet, or what it would be lik eto jump from that little Exit door over the wing, or where there's a tree or a lake I could air toward should the plane explode and I need to "fly" to a landing. Ok, now I'm probably spooking people
The new square parachutes are tons better than the old round crap. you can steer them really well, like a glider, and land VERY softly. Just like cycling, it's ALL about safety, you know your gear, your limits, check all surrounding skys ALWAYS, plan your jump and landing. Anyway, it's the most amazing rush EVER..... hanging on the OUTSIDE of an airplane like it's the back of your buddies jeep, 2 miles, up, 90mph wind, then just letting go.... aaaaaaahhhhh.. not AAHHHHH!!! very freeing
these are not smiles of fear