Understanding the Skydive (Paperback)

by Erik Johnson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Totally awesome! I’ve returned to [Understanding the Skydive] time and again." -- Jack Coan, freefall photographer

Product Description
The Who, What, How, and Why Book of the Skydiver’s Sport, Avocation, and Lifestyle

Understanding the Skydive strips the skydive to its raw nakedness, explaining method, equipment, competition, limitations, culture, and much more in easy to understand language.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Lamplighter Press; 1st edition (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971743002
• ISBN-13: 978-0971743007
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #797,565 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #63 in

  Books > Sports > Miscellaneous > Air Sports & Recreation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Blah., January 31, 2003

By	Mike Schroeder (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I don't really know what to make of this particular book. The reading was pretty typical of any of the many skydiving books which are available. I get the sense that this book was never intended to be published. If publication was intended, it was certainly rushed. Almost all of the photos were printed so dark that you could not make out what the photos were. The hand drawn diagrams were pretty odd, and not all that understandable. The photos that were not printed too dark were too choppy with huge pixels (obviously taken from a home PC and blown up).
The positive aspects of this book are that it touches on just about every aspect of skydiving. The book was also relatively inexpensive, although Amazon did not offer a discount. I wish I could be more positive about this book. There are better books available. I recommend the Skydivers Handbook. It is everything this book is times 2. Happy Skydiving!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the student skydiver or friends/family, May 21, 2002

By	Stephanie and Mike Gruwell (Powder Springs, GA USA) - See all my reviews

There's a new book on the market geared toward skydiving students as well as those who haven't jumped or may never jump. I received a copy of "Understanding the Skydive" from the author, Erik Johnson, a few weeks ago and am almost finished reading it. More than anything else, I have found the book to give a thorough introduction into a sport not many people understand except those who actively partake in it. This is a perfect book for that friend or family member always asking "Why do you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" Johnson thoroughly and accurately describes all of the elements of sport skydiving that can easily be understood by any whuffo. Topics include levels of skydivers, operations of a drop zone, role of instructors, riggers and pilots, types of aircraft and how they modified for skydiving use, training methods, types of competitions, the weather's role in skydiving and basics on the equipment used. All of these topics will give your family or friends a better idea on why you skydive and what you get out of it. The book may further inspire those friends or family members to take the plunge themselves. On top of all of this information, Johnson also delves into the basics of emergency procedures, canopy control, risks of skydiving and the different types of skydiving disciplines available. While some of these topics may be too much information for your typical whuffo, this is what also makes the book an ideal reference for student skydivers. I know when I was a student skydiver, I was hungry for any book whatsoever on the sport. This book is a great supplement to Dan Poynter's "The Skydiver's Handbook." Johnson is an AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Parachute Rigger and Military Parachutist who made his first jump 14 years ago. He also walked me through my first reserve inspection and repack as well as taught me many skills as a student skydiver.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the Skydive, November 15, 2007

By	John L. Hassell III "John Hassell" (Reform, Al United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has a wealth of information for the new comers to the sport of skydiving. This is a no hold bar look at the sport. The book takes you fom class room to enjoying many years in the sport. Ii would tell anyone wanting to get into the sport this is a good read for great info.