My First Skydiving Experience Essay Example for Free

My First Skydiving Experience Essay Jumping is fun! Skydiving is not just falling; it is flying—the closest we have been able to come to free, unencumbered, non-mechanical individual flight, says Mike Turoff in the book The Skydivers Handbook. I totally agree with him because skydiving provides the maximum liberty that one can ever experience. In this article, Id like to describe to you my first jump in order to show you how much fun skydiving is. First of all, I learned about skydiving via the Internet and TV. There are countless pages of information about skydiving on the Internet. My first jump was a part of the accelerated free fall (AFF). AFF is a course for training new skydivers which includes fourteen jumps. Even though it has fourteen jumps, you will always remember the first one! On the jump day, I went to the skydiving center at 8:30 in the morning. The AFF course started at 9:00. The course included basic parachute equipment information, free falling information, emergency procedures, parachute opening, canopy control, and finally landing information. We were only four people in the classroom. The AFF students studied all the necessary lessons to make a safe skydive. We used special equipment to study parachute equipment, canopy control, and landing. After seven long hours, at the end of the class, we took a written exam. We had to score 100% in order to pass the test. Everybody passed. Then came the gear-up part! We put on our diving overalls, parachutes, altimeters which are used to watch the altitude during the skydive, helmets, gloves and goggles. There were many professional skydivers around, and they were giving us a hard time with some traditional skydiving jokes. I myself was the first person from the class who was going to jump. The next step was boarding the airplane. We used a twin otter double engine aircraft. That was a large aircraft; at least twenty skydivers could get on that plane. I was sitting between two jumpmasters (skydiving instructors) and in front of a cameraman. At that moment, I started feeling extremely worried and excited. The jumpmasters were talking to me, asking questions about my feelings. During the planes take off, all I could say was, Wow! Then, I began watched my altimeter to see whether the altitude number was changing. I want to stop here to tell you something about the other skydivers on board. They were very relaxed although the aircraft was uncomfortable. Probably, I was the most frightened person on board. The others were telling jokes to each other and even drinking juice. Some of them were offering me candies and gum to celebrate my becoming a skydiver. In short, those guys were the craziest people that I have ever seen together. Can you imagine someone drinking orange juice just before jumping down from thirteen thousand feet? Well, thats what they did. The altimeter was working perfectly. Only that fact was able to make me smile a little bit, but I was also considering what I could do if my parachute didnt open! Finally, all the altimeters were saying thirteen thousand feet. The jumpers opened the door. I looked down and was able to see someone who had al ready jumped. Then, because of the cold air at that altitude, my goggles smoked up and I could hardly see anymore. After a few seconds, the smoke disappeared and I could see the airplane was empty. All the other skydivers had already jumped except for my jumpmasters and myself. They told me to stand up and walk toward the exit door. I felt pretty heavy and could hardly walk.This may have been because of the heavy jump suit and parachute equipment. As I approached the door, I felt colder and colder. My cameraman was outside of the plane, and the jumpmasters were holding me tightly for a safe, very first skydive. My jumpmasters and I did the exiting procedures and finally let ourselves go out of the airplane. Those were the most interesting and enjoyable seconds that I have ever experienced. For a few seconds, I had a sense of falling. Then, I noticed that we were falling faster and faster as the seconds passed. After a while, after about the first ten seconds, I could see my cameraman filming my free fall. I was supposed to do some air maneuvers to pass to the second AFF level. I did those. My jumpmasters were still holding me and waiting actively for any possible emergencies. There was no longer any sense of falling and speed. It was mostly like floating in the air and hearing the wind deep in your ears. I periodically checked my altimeter to see the proper altitude to pull my ripcord and open the parachute. The necessary altitude to pull it was 5,500 feet. At that altitude, I gave a 5-5 signal to my jumpmasters, and I pulled my ripcord. That was extremely enjoyable. My parachute opened fast, and I felt a little shocked. Once my canopy opened, I checked it for any malfunction. It was perfectly okay and stable. The canopy flight, of course, was much slower than the free fall. I could see the beautiful environment from thousands of feet above. Then I looked for the drop zone landing area and saw it behind the clouds. I flew my parachute to the drop zone and very smoothly landed on the ground. I was one of the successful students who were able to walk right after touching down, without falling. The 5-minute adventure was ended! I picked up my parachute and walked through the skydiving building. It was a sunny day. My friends and my family members celebrated the adventure for the rest of the day, and I decided to continue skydiving. Today, I am an AFF level four student with three successful jumps. However, of course, my first jump will always be the most enjoyable and unforgettable one. If I were you, I would not waste any more time. I would sign up for a very first jump as soon as possible. Once you try it, you will not be able to stop making jumps. At least, I have not been able to do so. I continue to go skydiving whenever I can. I would like to give one more personal message: Skydiving is a must-do activity, and everyone must try it at least once in his or her life. I guarantee you that it will be an unforgettable experience for you, too!

videogame violence :: essays research papers fc

With the upcoming release of the ultra-violent video game 25 to Life, game developers are once again under fire by politicians and activist to rethink the content of their games. 25 to Life is an action shooting game that pits law enforcement against gang members in battle. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has taken the developer Edios to task for the questionable content of the game. The senator wants this â€Å"cop killer† game boycotted by retailers and has even went so far as to appeal to Microsoft and Sony to end their licensing agreement with the game maker (www.afterdawn.com). This is just the latest of games that have come under fire by law makers for the subject material they contain. This has become a fairly hot topic in society today with the rise in violence and popularity of video games such as the Grand Theft Auto, Doom, and Halo series. Many activists feel that these games in the hands of children can lead to insensitivity to violence amongst other things. This lead s to the question: are game manufacturers acting unethically by producing ultra-violent or realistic games? Discussion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I suppose the first thing I should say is: I feel it is in no way the moral responsibility of the game manufacturers to curb the content they put into games. That being said, a few of the reasons they are trying to ban violent video games as according to psychologists is: Children may become more aggressive and develop favorable attitudes about the use of violence to resolve conflicts. Children may become desensitized to violence in the real world around them, less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, and more willing to tolerate ever-increasing levels of violence. Children may begin to believe that the real world is as mean and dangerous in real life as it appears on the media and in video games (www.salsa.net). To this I ask: what about me? What about people like me? Responsible, moderately well rounded, educated adults? Should I not get to play the games that were intended for me? And the truth is, the games that everyone is up in arms over are made f or me, an adult. That’s why the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was implemented. Not unlike movie ratings the ESRB provide information about video and computer game content before u make a purchase. ESRB ratings have two parts: the rating symbols which suggest age appropriateness for the game, and the content descriptors which indicate elements in a game that may have led to the rating symbol or may inform you of questionable content (www.

Osmosis in Red Onion Cells

Osmosis in Red Onion Cells By: Youssef Gharib Brief Description of Osmosis in Red Onion cells: Osmosis is the diffusion of water from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration across a semi-permeable membrane. The purpose of this lab is to compare the three different types of solutions affect on the relative size of the vacuole to the cell, the outer membrane of onion red cells (tunics) are used to figure out the different types. In the red onion you can see effects promptly when the onion cells are placed in different type of solutions. The effect of the solutions is shown through the purple part within the membrane since that’s where the vacuoles are present. Question: How will the vacuole inside the cells of the outer membrane of a red onion react when deionized water, a 1%, and a 10% saline solution are added to the cells? Hypothesis: If a saline solution is added to the outer membrane of a red onion cell, then based on the amount of the solution, it will cause the vacuole inside the cell to become hypertonic thus shrinking in size. This is because water moves from inside the vacuole, to the cell since the saline solution is entering the vacuole. While if deionized water is added on to cell, then the vacuole size should get larger or stay the same. Variables: Independent Variables: type of solution, amount of solution, and the type of onion. Levels of IV: Deionized water, 1% saline solution, 10% saline solution, red onion outer membrane. Control group: Red onion without any solution added to it. Dependent Variables: amount of water inside the vacuole. Controlled Variables: . Constant temperature – this will be insured by keeping the room at a constant temperature of 21 degrees, because if temperature is not kept constant, the data might be affected. 2. Type of onion – this will be insured by using the same onion (red onion) to collect data, if a different type of onion is used, this might cause the data to be inaccurate. 3. Microscope – while collecting data, and observing what happens to th e red onion, the same microscope shall be used for observing what happens to the vacuoles. Materials: * Red Onion Scissors/ Scalpel * Microscope * 1%, 10% saline solutions * Deionized/Distilled water * Plastic cups * Cover slips Procedure: 1. Take a small piece of onion and peel off a sheet of the purple skin. Cut a piece of skin about the size of a little fingernail. 2. Place the piece onto a microscope slide, and put it under the microscope to record data as this is the control group. 3. Then add five drops of deionized water onto the slide, then record qualitative and quantitative observations on the size of the vacuole inside the cell. 4. Then repeat step one, and put the piece of skin on another microscope slide. 5. Add five drops of 1% saline solution on the slide, then record qualitative and quantitative observations on the change in size of the onion cell vacuole. 6. Step four was repeated, then five drops of 10% saline solution were dropped onto the slide. Record qualitative and quantitative observations again on the change in size of the onion cell vacuole. 7. Steps 2, 3, 5, and 6 were all recorded under high-power objective in the microscope. 8. Clean and dry slide and coverslip. Data/Data Table: The effect of Deionized water, 1%, and 10% saline solution on the outer membrane of a red onion Amount of water inside the vacuoles| No solution (control group)| Deionized water| 1% solution| 10% solution| Before| 100%| 100%| 100%| 100%| After| 100%| 100%| 85%| 65%| % change| 0%| 0%| 15%| 35%| Qualitative data/ Observations| No change, purple onion cell walls only visible| No change, deionized water didn’t cause vacuoles to shrink| Vacuoles shrank, but not significant amount. | Vacuoles shrank a lot, and are visibly hypertonic| Data Analysis: In the lab, observations were recorded to see how a 1% saline solution and a 10% saline solution affected the size of the vacuole inside the cells of the outer membrane of a red onion. The independent variables in the experiment were the: type of solution, amount of solution, and the type of onion. There was a 1% saline solution and a 10% saline solution. The type of onion used in this experiment was a red onion, and the purple outer membrane was used to record data. The control group that the experiment was based upon was a slice of the outer membrane without any solutions added to it. The dependent variable was the amount of water inside the vacuole that changed based on the addition of the saline solutions, and the deionized water. The controlled variables in the experiment were: constant temperature, the type of onion, and the microscope. The constant temperature would be insured by keeping the room at a constant temperature of 21 degrees (room temp. ), because if temperature is not kept constant, the data would be affected. The type of onion will be insured by using the same onion (red onion) to collect data, if a different type of onion is used, this would increase chance of error while collecting data. While collecting data, and observing what happens to the red onion, the same microscope was used for observing what happens to the vacuoles. The data collected and observations recorded showed that the more concentrated the saline solutions were, the more the vacuole shrunk in size. For example, when the 1% solution was added, only 15% of the vacuole lost water, while when the 10% solution was added, 35% of the vacuole lost water. The deionized water however showed barely any change in size, so it did not shrink or grow. The percentages recorded in the data table though were not accurate since they were just assumptions because the tools to correctly measure the percent change were not present. Since the experiment was only conducted once, there were no repeated trials, leading the data to be more prone to errors and uncertainties. Another error in the data was that at first many slices of the tunic had to be peeled to finally get a single strand of cells, because every time a slice would be peeled, there would be a double layer of cells, causing it to be hard to see through the microscope. Conclusion and Evaluation: In the lab, many conclusions were drawn from the results found. The data calculated, and the observations recorded supported the hypothesis, since in the data the saline solutions caused the vacuoles to shrink, and the deionized water caused the vacuole to stay the same. The saline solutions caused the vacuoles to shrink because since there was more salt outside the vacuole, the vacuole became hypertonic causing it to release water and absorb salt into the vacuole. The use of a control group in this experiment establishes the basis of a means for comparison between the different levels of IV and the control group. The procedure was not as descriptive as possible, and could have been more explanatory, and instructive. Limitations in the experiment could have been that the tunic of the red onion was not thin enough to record accurate data since it was very hard to get a single strand of cells without having two strands on top of each other. Another imitation in the experiment would've been that the correct tools to measure the quantitative data in the experiment were not present, and it caused the data to be approximated, and not accurate. A weakness in the experiment could have been that at first, the saline solutions didn’t seem to change the size of the vacuoles, until another observation was conducted from the microscope and it became visibly different. An error in the experiment would've included only having one trial, and not repeati ng any. Another error could've been contaminations with the contact of the cells with skin, and or contaminations with the dropper used for the experiment. Improvements that could've been made to this experiment were repeated trials to make the data more precise, also a way to measure the relative size of the vacuole to the cell more accurately. Another improvement could've been using a microscope with higher magnification and resolution leading to better image quality and better data. Protocol Diagram:

Gun Control and the Black Market Essay examples - 1639 Words

Criminals are running around with illegal guns. So we are not able to find the guns and the murder weapons. Their should not be able to get the gun at all but their find ways. This need addressing because if we do not address the problem, it will just get worse and more people will die from are mistaken. The worse it gets, the more people that die from this. People should not have to worry about the criminals who were in jail, having guns and what they would be doing with them. Gun control laws should stop criminals not law abiding citizens. Everyone wants to own a gun, but some people cannot like criminals. Their need to get there on the black market. The black market is how people get gun under the radar. It is normally in regular†¦show more content†¦That I do not know all I know is that we should put a stop to this injustice. Their should have more people out trying to stop this and then it was stopping the criminal and the black market. According to the gun laws they should not be getting guns. They say that people need to have a background check to find out if the they cant handle the responsibilities of a gun. The do not give them to criminals and mentally impaired people. They have the law to keep us safe and sound. Why can we just not follow the laws that are set in stone for or safety and wellbeing? I believe it is because we are all being taught to fight for things that do not seem right and go against the rules a little bit. The criminals learned this to and they do it all the time to get what they want. The police have been trying to get the black market for selling the guns. The police have had some victories in destroying the black market. According to Emma Schwartz in her article A Well-Worn Path to a Gun Shop Door it can take years for someone to get arrested for the giving people guns illegally. Schwartz states, â€Å"NEW ORLEANS-For as long as Anthony Cannatella can remember, Elliots Gun Shop has b een a thorn in his side. A third-generation New Orleans cop, Cannatella, now deputy police chief, says he has traced more guns used in crimes back to the nondescript warehouse on Jefferson Highway than to any other business in the region† (par. 1). They had the business and the gun was sold out of it at aShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Gun Control780 Words   |  4 PagesGuns have are a major role in the history of the United States. The US has the most firearms in the entire world as a country. Guns are part of the culture and a major part of people’s lives and our country would not be the same without them. Gun control would restrict weapons that are used legally and safely a majority of the time and not used as a weapon of death. Gun control will not protect United States citizens because of the unpredictability of peoples actions, black market dealers, and theRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Gun Control1560 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"obligation† of gun contr ol which incorporates the regulation of arms owned by ordinary individuals. This is due to the fact that societal standards believe gun control would effectively decrease the amount of violence that are associated with these weapons. However, this could be a false belief. It is true that deaths or crimes from guns could be reduced due to the scarcity of them, however, this may be a delusion in mere numbers. Aggressions and violence could erupt due to gun control thus causingRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1422 Words   |  6 Pagesgovernment hoped for, such as gun control. Gun control laws should be voted down or removed because gun control is not an effective way to control crime considering guns do not kill people, criminals would find other weapons to use, it would help fund the black market for illegal weapons, and this will be leaving law abiding citizens unarmed; but instead create other issues and ultimately only avoid the true problems the United States has. In any court case, there has never been a gun that got taken awayRead MorePros And Cons Of Gun Control1511 Words   |  7 PagesGun control is a policy that the government limits the keeping and using of guns by citizens. According to Firearms and Federal Law: The Gun Control Act Of 1968, the Gun Control Act is designed to provide support to Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials in their fight against crime and violence. (Journal of Legal Studies). Firearm is an epochal invention. But unfortunately, no matter in the past or now, guns and firearms are often misused. Therefore, gun control policy exists. InRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Control1552 Words   |  7 PagesThe issue of gun is always controversial. Firearm can be used as defending or an assaulting weapon. In United States, firearm increase the rate of homicide, suicide and gun violence, which can harm and murder people. Moreover, taking away people’s gun will not work effectively because the murder and criminal will find another ways to get guns. Also, the black market will appear for the people who cannot get guns from regulated markets. In addition, if regulated guns are banned, murderers may useRead More Guns and Violence Essay828 Words   |  4 PagesGuns and Violence School shootings, gang violence, drive by shootings, murder, and thousands of acts of violence are committed every day. Members of our society criticize their own people for this violence while they continue to sit back and do nothing about it. These acts of violence have many contributing factors. Violence in our country today is escalating because we dont control the distribution of the guns sold. There are not enough restrictions on guns sold legally.Read MoreThe Prevalence Of Gun Violence Essay1457 Words   |  6 PagesPrevalence of Gun Violence In African American Communities Introduction Each year homicide and assault-related injuries result in an estimated $16 billion in combined medical and work loss (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/education-gun-violence-presidential-debate-2012_n_1974740.html). Gun violence may be broadly defined as a category of violence and crime committed with use of a firearm, it may or may not include actions ruled as self defense, actions for law enforcement. Gun violence isRead MoreThe Second Amendment And The Civil War Essay1355 Words   |  6 Pagesthe second amendment is in our constitution, because we used guns to rebel against the monarchy of England. After that we determined that the ability to own guns was a right, so that people would have the right to rebel incase America became a dictatorship. People still hold value to those laws today.In 2016 it is a different pitcher today, last year there were over 372 mass shootings. We live in a world where I, could go and buy a gun, and point it at a crowd of people and hold do wn the triggerRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1656 Words   |  7 Pages Gun control has been a huge issue lately, but the focus needs to be on the person handling the gun. We need to make stronger background checks to stop all this unnecessary violence going on in todays society. There has been strong supporters on both sides with very well known support groups, almost all of the people that vote towards stricter gun laws and banning guns have never been in a situation to need one and don’t understand that different guns serve different purposes. There are three differentRead MorePros And Cons Of Strict Gun Control926 Words   |  4 PagesStrict gun control is not the answer to America’s problem for the following reasons: First, Criminals can still acquire weapons in many illegal ways, strict gun laws violate the rights and liberties of American citizens, and gun control does not stop crime from happening. According to Laws, â€Å"The firearms being used in crimes are overwhelmingly illegal weapons, and unfortunately, the government is un able to track illegal weapons because of their illegal, unregistered status† (Gun.laws.com). First