I think I have advanced in the sport for two reasons.
1. I was able to diagnose an equipment failure.
2. I was interested enough in trying to fix it myself.

I never really thought much about my equipment before. In college if something was broke you sent it to the armory and got yourself another item. Simple, no cost. If something failed on the strip, the coach or a team member would loan you a item. Simple, easy.

Now that I am on my own and paying for my own equipment that is now over a year old..it is clearly not so simple. Equipment is starting to fail and no amount of gaffers tape can cover up the fact.

This weekend I was at a tournament when suddenly I was the one blinking white. I was sure it was the reel but as the director stated plainly, "It only seems to happen when you are on." It wasn't until the DE when my body cord finally failed...or I finally realized that having tried all weapons out that it had to be the cord. I went home and bought a new cord but realized, I cannot keep doing that so I better learn to fix this one. My hubby being a EE helped me there and together we rewired the cord. So small but such a powerful feeling. My next step is to put together the tool box that Craig has listed...but I am ahead of myself here...I probably won't do that yet, but I have to say it did make me nervous to have equipment bug out on you and not have a University van parked outside with a full compliment of weapons and stuff.