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An unwritten law, one as immutable and
irrefutable as gravity and backed by history, states that skydivers
enjoy the drinking of beer almost as much as flight itself.
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A manifestation of this fact is the
tradition of the buying by an individual skydiver a case of beer (that
being twenty-four cans or bottles holding twelve or more ounces of beer,
ale, or some similar such substance) for his or her fellow jumpers to
celebrate the accomplishment of a particular feat or milestone in one's
jump career.
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It is generally recognized that the
buying and drinking of such beer enhances that common bond shared by
skydivers and contributes greatly to the body of knowledge concerning
parachuting and its related activities.
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It is a sad fact that some skydivers
are ignorant of what constitutes a significant achievement (usually and
henceforth referred to as a "first"). Equally sad is the fact that some
unscrupulously thirsty jumpers will shamelessly try to "weasel" a case
of beer out of a jumper for an inauspicious event.
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Recognizing this, the following
happenings are to be regarded as suitable occasions for buying beer.
This list is not to be construed as exhaustive.
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First jump (It is not required of
students. They are simply encouraged to participate).
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If more than one first is accomplished
on a single jump, only one case of beer is required.
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Participation is voluntary. If a
skydiver chooses not to participate by buying, neither shall the
skydiver enjoy the fruits of the accomplishments of others.
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Non-drinkers may buy sodas and buyers
may make up any part or whole of their purchase in soda for the
enjoyment of those non-drinkers.
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It is generally recognized that using
a reserve parachute for the purpose of saving one's worthless,
non-packing self from a gory death requires him to buy the saving rigger
dinner or the bottle of liquor of his choice.
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These articles are ironclad and
binding. For the price of an additional six-pack, a sniveling skydiver
may enlist the services of an S&TA to represent him or her in a hearing
where the committee will rule against that skydiver a second time.
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Completing the student course of
instruction
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First four way
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First eight way
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First CRW
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First time in the peas
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First night jump
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First kiss pass
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First competition
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First water jump
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First naked jump
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First jump on your own pack job
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First dead center (measured by a judge
or electronic scoring pad on a three or five cm disc)
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First jump on a new main or new rig
(purchased, not borrowed)
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Any license, award, rating, or badge
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Getting your name or photo in
"Parachutist" Magazine
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Gross safety violations not resulting
in serious injury or death
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Any jump ending in "00"
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First cutaway/reserve ride
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First jump from an aircraft not
normally used at home drop zone
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First jump at a new drop zone
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First demo jump
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First save (you riggers thought you
were getting off easy)
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Vomiting in the airplane or on another
skydiver
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First round canopy jump (Geez, used to
be the other way around)
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First broken bone
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First camera jump