HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ehsnet!f15.n233.z1.fidonet.org!SKYDIVE (SKYDIVE)
Subject: Bungee ban/ sport questioned
X-Mailer: mailout v1.24 released
Originator: agent@jumprun
Reply-To: skydive@ehsnet.fidonet.org
Return-Path: <ehsnet!f15.n233.z1.FIDONET.ORG!SKYDIVE>
To: skydive@jumprun.ehs.uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 09:20:06 GMT

Reply-to: Romulus!everest.stanford.edu!eap@p0.f1.n3607.z1.fidonet.org (Romulus!everest.stanford.edu!eap)
Fido-To: brian dial

NOTE: This message was originally addressed to SKYDIVE
      and was forwarded to you by JODY COFFEY
                          --------------------
From  romulus!ra.oc.com!news
From: romulus!everest.Stanford.EDU!eap (Eric Perozziello)
To:   ehsnet!skydive
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 19:26:52 GMT


        TRENTON, N.J. (UPI) -- New Jersey's labor commissioner said Monday he
is considering a total ban on commercial bungee operations in the state.
        Operators who testified at a regional hearing on the amusements
defended their rides as safe. But some called for government regulation
and inspection, saying they do not want the business to get a bad
reputation.
        Labor Commissioner Raymond Bramucci, who chaired the hearing, said he
must decide what, if any, regulations will make the rides safer, adding
that a ban is still an option.
        Bungee operators charge around $50 to thrill-seekers who jump from a
tower or crane, their fall broken by an elastic cord. At least 11 bungee
deaths have been reported worldwide.
        Because the sport is so new, it is relatively unregulated. In New
Jersey, for example, it is governed only by the regulations for
amusement park rides.
        New Jersey did shut down all bungee jumps briefly during the summer
after a Delaware nurse was severely injured on a jump in North Wildwood,
a crane toppled over during a high wind in Wildwood and a bridal couple
in Atlantic City held an unauthorized double jump as part of their
wedding. Most rides were allowed to reopen after inspections.
        The most dramatic testimony came from a doctor who treated the nurse.
She broke her spinal cord when she landed on a protective airbag, after
jumping on a bungee cord that was too long for her weight.
        ``When you hit your head like that, forgive the word, but it was like
splat,'' said Dr. Maurice Davidson. ``Why her brains were not all over
the ground, I don't know.''
        Without the airbag, his patient would have been dead, Davidson said.
        Operators were divided on whether bungee jumping is a sport, with
participants knowingly taking the same kind of risks they would take
jumping by parachute or ballooning, or an amusement park ride. Davidson,
who has embarked on a study of bungee injuries, said jumpers have no
control over the situation once they take off.

--- eecp 1.45 LM2 


--- WM v2.04/92-0484
--- eecp 1.45 LM2 

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From: tjreynol@zephyr.cair.du.edu (five left and cut!)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Just curious
Date: 23 Nov 92 17:04:52 GMT
Organization: University of Denver

In article <By6DqF.1Hv@vti.com> mark@vti.com writes:
>Ben Daniels (bdaniels@ssf-sys.DHL.COM) wrote:
>: Has everybody suddenly stopped posting or is it just our local system
>: out in the ozone again?
>
>I got your posting... I believe it's just a slow time.
>
>How many people out there are *not* reading this message because you
>went back home for Thanksgiving?   ;^)


ME ME ME! hehe

I think the snow and cold have a lot to do with it, Denver is expecting
24 inches by tomorrow... I-70 is already closed, I-25 is closed in town,
I bet the DZ is closed, even.

Also, I think the Fidonet gateway got creamed, or something. The Fidonet
folks were generating lots of articles. So, everyone dig in and post
something!
Skratch, where's'em jump stories?

>--
>      /_\   Virtual                  Mark Smith          USPA D-13761
>    /-~_  \    Technologies          mark@vti.com
>  /      ~-_\     Incorporated       703-430-9247,   FAX 703-450-4560
>/_____________\      46030 Manekin Plaza, Suite 160, Dulles, VA 20166
>
>Be alert!  We need more lerts.   -- Jay Goldberg
ha ha ha ;-)

Tim
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: wain@decoy.uucp (25498-greenhalgh)
Subject: Re: S&TA grounding (was: Re: Whuffo Q&A)
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 14:53:46 GMT

In article <SHIBUYA.92Nov17082647@chute.bl.applicon.slb.com> shibuya@bl.applicon.slb.com writes:
>In article <BxIv5r.Exq@vti.com> mark@vti.com (Mark Smith) writes:
>
>: I've never seen an S&TA spot a low-pull so consequently, I've never
>: seen one be in the position to try and ground a low-puller.
>
>I've seen one!  Down at Eloy a couple weeks ago, we were doing fun
>jumps after the competion doing lots of stupid stuff to blow our fuse
>off.  At one load, which I was not on, they were funneling through
>break off altitude and opened at around a grand or lower.  DZ manager
>(I'm sure he is also S&TA) Bryan Burke saw that and grounded them for
>the rest of the day.  Well, it was sunset (or presunset) load so they
>didn't mind that much.
>
>Hiroto

Probably the most dramatic low pull I have seen was at the last 
FREAK BROTHERS convention in Freeport IL.  It was not only two low pulls
but it was a low pull contest.  Another variation of chicken.  These
two jumpers were in free fall facing each other challenging the other 
to pull first.  We are talking opening, clearing brakes, and then
set up for landing.  Roger Nelsen walked(rapidly) over to the nearest one
dumped his reserve and had him escorted off the airport.  I understand
the same thing happened to the other.


H. Wain Greenhalgh
wain@decoy.cc.bellcore.com
BELLCORE
Piscataway, NJ
From: bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Robert Church)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: ignore this message
Keywords: test
Date: 19 Nov 92 00:57:13 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Ohio University School of Art. Athens

In article <1992Nov18.220552.24102@infonode.ingr.com> dialb@infonode.ingr.com (Brian C. Dial) writes:
>
>does this work?

Famous last words.


-- 
*********************************************
*    bob church                             *
*    bchurch@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu           *
*    D-8195 NFS #27                         *
From: koning@koning.enet.dec.com (Paul Koning)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Canopy aging (Re: Ravens really do snivel!)
Date: 23 Nov 92 16:11:49 GMT
Reply-To: koning@koning.enet.dec.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Co., distributed systems architecture


In article <SHIBUYA.92Nov16183923@chute.bl.applicon.slb.com>, shibuya@bl.applicon.slb.com (Hiroto Shibuya) writes:
|>Concerning sniveling of old canopy.  Any canopy seems to open slower
|>when they get older.  Does any particular brand of canopy show general
|>tendency of loosing it fast?  

Well, here's one data point.  I have a PD230 which I bought used with,
supposedly, about 300 jumps on it.  (Rigger's inspection said that it was
in very good shape, so I'm willing to believe the 300.)  I've put about
another 60 on it.  It opens reasonably quickly but nevertheless gently,
not like the snap & jerk I started out with on the student gear.  That's
with pro packing and NO rolling of the nose.  Does that mean it's getting
rather porous?  You tell me...  FWIW,  I'm a little on the light side for
the size.

	paul
|>...
|>Hiroto
|>
--
!-----------------------------------------------------------------------
! Paul Koning, NI1D, A-13683
! Digital Equipment Co., LKG1-2/A19, Littleton, MA 01460, USA
! (508) 486-7313 or (508) 952-3344, koning@koning.enet.dec.com
!-----------------------------------------------------------------------
! "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over 
!  any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent
!  harm to others.  His own good, either physical or moral, is not
!  a sufficient warrant."    -- John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" 1859
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: jvilhube@diana.cair.du.edu (Jan Vilhuber)
Subject: Re: Choosing a Canopy
Organization: University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 16:41:46 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.153241.17559@newsgate.sps.mot.com> beutel@chdasic.sps.mot.com writes:
>My weight is 160-165 and have made several jumps with a
>200 Raider (?) 7 cell main. Have 20 total freefalls and
>am fairly aggressive in all other sports.
>
>Have been considering the PD. 190, but was told this past 
>weekend from a DZ owner that for my size the PD. 170 would 
>be a better canopy. Is a 1:1 ratio a practical idea? His 
>input was that the PD seems to fly a little better when loaded
>a little heavier. Any feedback? I would prefer to buy up and 
>not just into, my ability. Dont want to be bored with the rig
>after just a few dozen jumps.
>
>Would a Sabre 190 be comperable to a PD. 170...? Sabre not a 
>good consideration for a new jumper?
>
Shortly after I got off student status I bought a PD210, and I weigh
about 150-160. Can't really complain. It's a fun canopy and forgiving
enough since I wasn't exactly a pro. I've done some really stupid things 
on landings and managed to survive them all.

Personally I think your DZ owner is crazy. With your 20 jumps he wants
you to get a 170?! Try a 190 or even a 210. Even with the 210, I doubt
you'll be disappointed (I'm still using my 210 and am not getting bored,
and I now have 110 jumps).

-- 
 Jan Vilhuber            | Internet: jvilhube@du.edu or jvilhube@[130.253.1.4]
 (The skydivin' Bass)      | Bitnet  : jvilhube@DUCAIR
--------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: jvilhube@diana.cair.du.edu (Jan Vilhuber)
Subject: Re: Just curious
Organization: University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 18:41:25 GMT

In article <By6DqF.1Hv@vti.com> mark@vti.com writes:
>Ben Daniels (bdaniels@ssf-sys.DHL.COM) wrote:
>: Has everybody suddenly stopped posting or is it just our local system
>: out in the ozone again?
>
>I got your posting... I believe it's just a slow time.
>
>How many people out there are *not* reading this message because you
>went back home for Thanksgiving?   ;^)

Me!

Oh .. wait. Damn.. fell in his trap!

There's a f*cking blizzard outside. And I was planning on jumping this week!
(I finally get done with school, and the weather decideds to play mind-games)..
-- 
 Jan Vilhuber            | Internet: jvilhube@du.edu or jvilhube@[130.253.1.4]
 (The skydivin' Bass)      | Bitnet  : jvilhube@DUCAIR
--------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
From: roden@phonon.eng.ohio-state.edu (Christoph A Roden)
Subject: Need an altimeter ???
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept of Electrical Engineering
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 00:29:32 GMT

Do any of you newcomers to the sport need some introductory equipment?
I have two items for sale that I thought might be of interest to
someone.


1)  Altimaster II altimeter with U-bolts and wrist strap.
              $90.00 OBO


2)  Large, blue Protec helmet with a para-alert
	      $95.00  OBO


These prices include shipping!
You can Email me or give me a call at
 (614) 261-1392
 Chris Roden



P.S<  If you know anyone on your DZ that can use these, please relay
the information  Thanks
From: ez008579@othello.ucdavis.edu (Dudley McFadden)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Tahoe Recommendation Wanted
Date: 15 Nov 92 04:59:06 GMT
Organization: Computing Services, UC Davis

Well, you'll have a great time at Lake Tahoe, but since it's not really very
far away, five days might be overkill.  The hotels in California are generally
less expensive than the Nevada ones because you can't gamble (of course, the
Nevada resorts occasionally offer great deals to entice you to stay there and
say, "Well, as long as we're here, we might as well stop by the casino, maybe
for just a few minutes..." yeah, right).  The area is _almost_ like Colorado
or Utah for skiing conditions, but you said you didn't want to ski...
   The hiking is great in the summer, probably a bit cold and icy for the 
winter (why don't you try skiing?), and most folks would probably forego sailing
(most Tahoe visitors go skiing, it's really fun, especially X-C skiing)...
-- 
--Dudley McFadden     <demcfadden@ucdavis.edu>
  Water, water, all around...
From: rickp@shady.UUCP (Rick Poleshuck)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: 13 Year old traveling to Egypt.
Keywords: Egypt, teenage
Date: 20 Nov 92 18:22:13 GMT
Reply-To: rickp@shady.UUCP (Rick Poleshuck)
Organization: ShadeTree Software, Inc.

My 13 year old daughter has been engrossed in the study of ancient
Egypt for several years and now has the opportunity of actually
travelling to Egypt with her grandparents.

I personally have never travelled abroad and I am a little concerned
about her travelling alone. I would appreciate any tips from the
Usenet community. 

Unfortunately, I connect to Usenet through the generosity of a friend
and do not have the opportunity to read this newsgroup. If I receive
responses, I will follow up with a summary. 

Thanx.

--
		| Email - uunet!shady!ctel386!rick
Rick Poleshuck 	| Voice - (908) 245-1177
		| Mail  - Rick Poleshuck & Associates
		|       - 308 Elizabeth Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey  07016
From: edente@pearl.tufts.edu
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: only a few hours in London
Date: 23 Nov 92 18:44:14 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA


Although the siren lure of Central London is very strong when you are at Heath
row or Gatwick and have a few hours between flights, I would suggest that
unless you have at least six hours it wouldn't be worthwhile.
Arriving at Heathrow, it will take up to an hour to get through Immigration,
get your luggage, go through customs and get to transportation, although if
it's a slack time, it might not be quite that long.  The Airbus costs about
$9.00 and takes between an hour and an hour and three-quarters to get to
Central London, and the tube (Piccadsilly Lne takes an hour  or lonr.)  A cab
 is quicker, but that would cost between $45 and $6^.  So you wouldn't get into
Central London till between 6PM and 7PM.  If you are arriving at Gatwick, the
Gatwick Express is quicker - about 35 - 40 minutes to Victoria Station. A cab
from Gatwick is very expensive, and not quicker than the train.
I was unclear as to whether you are staying overnight at an airport hotel - if
so, you have a little more latitude timewise, but if you have to be back to
catch a plane that same night, than you will have to start back from London two
to three and 1/2 hours before your flight time.  The Airbus doesn't run after
about 9 or 10, so you'd have to take the tube, which runs till about midnight
or 1PM (?).  I don't know how late the Gatwick Express runs.                   
                               
Given all the above time and expense, however, I would still make the effort,
as long as I had at least two hours to spend in Central London.  For a fun two
to three hour walk, I would take the tube to Piccadilly Circus, walk east to
Leicester Sq, then down Charing Cross Rd. to St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields/Trafalgar Sq.  Walk across Trafalgar to Charing Cross
and down Whitehall to Parliament Sq. Check out Westminster Abbey and St.
Margaret's Curch (only time for the outside). From Parliament Sq. to
Westminster Bridge area (Parliament, Big Ben). Without crossing the bridge,
walk along the river's edge east (Victoria Embankment) to Waterloo Bridge and
at the Bridge, left up Lancaster place to the Strand. (If you had a little more
time you could cross the bridge to the South Bank for the view north.) Left on
the Strand, and then right on Southhampton up through Covent Carden.  Through
to Covent Garden tube station, and Piccadilly line back to Heathrow.  This walk
is especially nice at night, which is when you'll be there.
Bon voyage!
Ed Dente                                                                       since t Bri9?irhours before youv.1/20ir.
From: wyf307@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Freeman Yu-Feng Wei)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: The way to Key West, Fl
Date: 17 Nov 92 08:15:10 GMT
Reply-To: wyf307@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Freeman Yu-Feng Wei)
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
Originator: wyf307@mickey.cc.utexas.edu


Hi, there:
        Some friends of mine and I are going to have a trip to Florida this
late December. We have plan to visit Key West. But I was told that the road
to Key West is damaged. Is there anybody know the detail about it? Will
it be fine in late December?
        Your words are appreciated. Thanks.
                                                Freeman
 

Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: tyers@rhea.trl.OZ.AU (P Tyers)
Subject: Re: VAT refunds ?
Organization: Telecom Research Labs, Melbourne, Australia
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 04:29:42 GMT

From article <985@ether.UUCP>, by danm@ether.UUCP (Dan McDonald):
> In article <1992Nov4.150121.3888@westford.ccur.com> black@westford.ccur.com (Samuel Black) writes:
> 
> Have a nice day, and good luck with any VAT refunds you may try to get.
> I have yet to see any results from dropping a properly filled out and
> verified official VAT refund form in the box at Heathrow airport.
> Again...good luck.  I think you'll need it.

I must be one of the lucky ones! Accepting the comments re minimum purchases
and having not even tried to get VAT refunds just on receipts I can say with
certainty that within six weeks of dropping my correctly filled out set of
VAT refund forms at _Heathrow_ T4 I received a refund in Australia. So it
does work but be prepared to allocate at least 20 mins to 1 hour for the
process! BTW this was approx 22 months ago.

Obligatory disclaimer: Anything said by me is unlikely to be the view of my
employer!

P Tyers, Tel. +61-(0)3-2536794   JANET: p.tyers%trl.oz.au@uk.ac.ucl.cs
ACSnet:	p.tyers@trl.oz   UUCP:{uunet,hplabs,ukc}!munnari!trl.oz.au!p.tyers
CSnet: p.tyers@trl.oz.au   ARPAnet: p.tyers%trl.oz.au@uunet.uu.net HAM: VK3KTS 
MAIL: Telecom Research Laboratories,P.O. Box 249,Clayton,VICTORIA 3168,AUSTRALIA
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: kwwma@neumann.uwaterloo.ca (Wallace Ma)
Subject: Route from Toronto to Orlando
Keywords: best route
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 17:06:13 GMT


I would like to know what is the best route for driving from Toronto to Orlando?

And how many hours it takes (approximately)?


Thanks in advance.


						- Wallace
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: y
Date: 18 Nov 92 04:57:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: CompuSer.921118152427_76702.1202_CHN59-1
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Soloman Islands
============================================================
Solomon Islands - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located on Mud Alley in 
Honiara; the mailing address is P.O. Box 561 Honiara; tel (677) 
23890.  The Ambassador is resident in Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Country Description:  The Solomon Islands form an archipelago in 
the southwest Pacific about 1200 miles northeast of Australia.  The 
capital is Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal.  The Solomon 
Islands is a parliamentary democracy within the British 
Commonwealth.  Tourism facilities are limited, and outside of 
Honiara may be of poor quality.

Entry Requirements:  Passports, onward/return tickets and proof of 
sufficient funds are required.  Visitors' permits are issued on 
arrival for stays of up to two months in a one-year period.  For 
further information travelers can consult the British Embassy at 
3100 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 
462-1340 or British Consulates in other cities.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are generally adequate.  
Hospitals and pharmacies are limited to population centers and 
missions.  The incidence of malaria is extremely high.  Many 
visitors begin taking malarial suppressants before arrival.  Doctors 
and hospitals often expect immediate cash payments for health 
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the 
United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  Information on health 
matters is available from the Centers for Disease Control 
international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559 

Information on Crime:  Major crimes against travelers are not 
common, though petty crimes against property frequently occur in the 
capital city, Honiara.  Useful information on guarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect lengthy 
jail sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within the area.

 No. 92-113
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Puerto Vallarta info needed..
From: alexan@mtroyal.ab.ca
Date: 20 Nov 92 16:54:08 MST
Organization: Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta

In article <1992Nov19.000922.20357@ringer.cs.utsa.edu>, johnny@ennex1.eng.utsa.edu (Johnny Roberts) writes:
> 	Hello all!
> 
> 	I am going to take a trip down to Puerto Vallarta with a small  
> group of people for a couple of weeks around Christmas time. As our  
> budgets are limited, we are going to need cheap accomodations once we get  
> there. I am also interested in getting away from the masses of humanity  
> sure to be in the area, so I want to know what San Blas and some of the  
> other surrounding beach towns are like this time of year.
> 
> 	All of the travel books I have read give info on these places, but  
> it would be great if I could find someone out there who has been to Puerto  
> Vallarta in the budget mode. I have done this before in Mazatlan, so I  
> know some of what to expect.
> 
> 	While I am on the topic, who publishes a good book on Mexico  
> travel, preferably info based and not advice based? So far, Birnbaum's  
> Travel Guide seems to be the best.
> 
> 	Thanks in advance...

Try Hotel Las Cabanias on the main strip (next to MR CHIPS), it is nice 
and clean, they also have a swimming pool. There is a large supermarket
accross the street from the hotel. 
It cost us around 17,000 Pesos or about $12 per/night for 2 
adults (last winter). We had a great time in Puerto Vallarta during
December/January. If you go there please say hello to Cris (the Inkeeper)
very nice guy :-)
Cheers,
Saad Alexan
Calgary, Alberta Canada
                                       
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: skipa@milton.u.washington.edu (Skip Albertson)
Subject: HELP: Current Situation in GUATEMALA???
Summary: HELP: Current Situation in Guatemala???
Keywords: HELP, Guatemala
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 23:44:45 GMT

Does anyone know the current situation in Guatemala?  Where
are the areas of guerrilla activity to avoid?  Where is it
okay (safest) to go off the beaten track?  Which volcanoes
are freest from guerrilla activity?

Thanks in advance,

alberts@apl-em.apl.washington.edu
From: saxena@smsun9.crd.ge.com
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Prepayment for Hotels through Travellers Checks ?
Date: 17 Nov 92 14:32:11 GMT
Reply-To: saxena@smsun9.crd.ge.com ()
Organization: General Electric Corp. R&D, Schenectady, NY

Hi 

 We will be in Italy between 10/14 - 10/24. While making reservations
for some of the hotels, they have asked to send the complete
payment in advance through US Dollar Travellers Checks (counter-signed) 
as they do not take any Credit cards. I am not sure if this is the
right mode of payment as I will not have any receipt of payment.
What is the Check gets lost in mail ?
  Did anyone ever have such an experience? Any information will
be greatly appreciated.

 Thanks

 Mukul Saxena
 email: saxena@crd.ge.com
Newsgroups: rec.travel