I've only ever jumped in the UK and Spain, but every dropzone I jumped at in the UK required everyone to have a gearcheck from a suitably experienced and qualif

I've only ever jumped in the UK and Spain, but every dropzone I jumped at in the UK required everyone to have a gearcheck from a suitably experienced and qualified skydiver before boarding, and a signature against your name on the manifest confirming it had been done. I do know that the US had a reputation for being significantly more... trusting of everyone to sort out their own arrangements. I do know that in fifty-odd jumps, I checked my gear and had someone else do a check for me once I was wearing it, every time. Good habits learned early stick.