{"id":44619,"date":"2023-03-29T16:34:29","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T16:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=44619"},"modified":"2024-04-19T10:31:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T10:31:16","slug":"20-commandments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/20-commandments\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Commandments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For a Long, Happy and Successful skydiving career<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Maldives exit by TsunamiSkydivers, photo by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Author Rich Grimm<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know Rich Grimm, it\u2019s probably only a matter of time. DZO. Pilot. BASE jumper. Firefighter. Author. Mastermind. Former hockey player. Now just epic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rich organizes Tsunami Skydivers adventure boogies in exotic locations, some featured in this article. Here\u2019s some words of true wisdom from someone who’s seen it all and knows his onions\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My commandments of a long skydiving career<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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1. There is no such thing as a routine skydive. Ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Check your gear. Before boarding and in the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Wear your helmet and seatbelt for take-off. Always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Plan the dive, dive the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. It\u2019s far better to walk 100 yards back from a landing than to be flown 100 miles in a helicopter.
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Hybrid over a private island in Belize by Leland Procell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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6. Let everyone else fly the \u2018latest greatest canopies and gear for a while before you do.
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7. Never write a check with your ego that your abilities can\u2019t cash.
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8. Don\u2019t jump in crappy conditions. The sky will always be there.
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9. Learn how your gear works; AAD, MARD, reserve, etc.
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A jump over San Pedro, Belize<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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10. Don\u2019t progress too quickly and without solid advice.
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11. Expect a malfunction on every single deployment. Always.
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12. Plan your landing pattern and touchdown spot at 2,000 feet, not 200 feet.
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13. Land with a canopy level above your head. Pull your strings all the way. And evenly. And don\u2019t be afraid to PLF. (\u2018Pull your strings\u2019 means \u2018flare\u2019, my boogiegoers are laughing at this.)
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Sky balling over the Maldives <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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14. Smile! This is fun and you don\u2019t need 1,000 tunnel hours to do it.
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15. Be an informed jumper. Always know\u2026 Ground winds. Upper winds. Jump run direction and speed. Know your \u2018outs\u2019.
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16. Keep your gear well maintained.
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17. Learn from others\u2019 mistakes. And never forget our rules truly are written in blood.
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Blue Hole sit fly by Chad Ross<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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18. Don\u2019t ever be \u2018That guy!\u2019, or girl.
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19. Some people have a thousand skydives. Some people have the same jump a thousand times\u2026 Go to different zones. Fly with different people. Jump from different aircraft. Become as well rounded as you can be.
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20. Many of you want a career in the sport. Being a professional skydiver is far more than just getting your 500 jumps and some ratings. Watch how national and world champions interact with skydivers of all skill levels. Watch the patience that the best instructors at your DZ have. Be that.
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Rich Grimm over the Maldives by Bruno Brokken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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All photos in this article taken at Tsunami Skydivers<\/a>‘ events, run by author Rich Grimm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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