     messageStart = readFromSerial();
   while (messageStart != 0xFF);
 
-  command = readFromSerial();
-  value = readFromSerial();
+  do {
+    command = readFromSerial();
+    value = readFromSerial();
+  } while (value == 0xFF);
 
   switch(command) {
   case 'F':

  pinMode(PARACHUTE_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(WATERSPLASHER_PIN, OUTPUT);

  attachInterrupt(ZERO_CROSSING_INTERRUPT, zero_cross_detect, RISING);
}


  while(Serial.available() < 1){
    ;
  }
  return Serial.read();
}

void loop()
