Before the night jump into Normandy a young soldier told his friend that he was certain everything was going to be fine. He'd found a tag that showed that his mother had packed his 'chute. (True story!)

Always know who packed your chute. Your ex? The brother-in-law who you refused to lend any more money to? Your stock broker? Your congressman? Number 653489 -- and is that someone at the state prison? Did you pack it yourself -- and did you lace it with baling wire or will it actually open? When you feel that tug and you look up will you see a nylon canopy or a lace doily?

It also helps to look down at what you're about to land on. A 60 degree slope covered with rocks? A forest fire? A forest? Something stretched between poles, and it is a power line or a clothes line?

A wrist altimeter is nice too. It can let you know if you're in trouble, like reading 25 feet and you just remembered to pull the ripcord.

Always use rubber heels, too. They won't help with landing but they might let your feet, if nothing else, survive.