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  1. #1
    BASE652
    Guest

    Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    Original Link:
    http://www.magicvalley.com/news/loca...p?StoryID=6201


    BASE jumpers, grieving father open dialogue to avert lawsuit
    By Sandy Miller
    Times-News writer

    TWIN FALLS -- It's quite a spectacular view from the Perrine Bridge.

    That's just one of the things Littlejohn Keogh loves about the sport of BASE jumping.

    "It is the most individualistic thing I've ever done," said Keogh, who owns a Web site development company in Portland, Ore., and has made four jumps from the Perrine Bridge. "It's the one time where you are the most responsible for yourself."

    BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. The extreme sports enthusiasts jump with parachutes from tall structures, and the 486-foot drop from the Perrine Bridge is a favorite of jumpers from around the world.

    Keogh is a relative newcomer to the sport, having made his first jump in May. He said he and other BASE jumpers want safety just as much as Wayne Stout, a Utah man and father of 24-year-old BASE jumper Brian Stout of Gilbert, Ariz., who was killed in a jump off the Perrine Bridge in June 2002.

    But they might differ in how to go about it.

    "There is a lot of room in the sport for good education," Keogh said. "I don't think there's a lot of room for official oversight."
    JEREMY STOA/The Times-News
    Originally planned to be a small candle lighting ceremony as a gesture of thanks to previous jumpers, followed by BASE jumping from the Perrine bridge, Saturday's "candle jump" turned out to be just another leap. With most jumpers at an annual event in West Virginia, there just weren't enough to go through with the candle jump. However, that didn't stop Kansas City resident Bob Scheier (front) and Bozeman, Montana, resident Katie Hansen from enjoying one last freefall before the sun went down.



    In the year and four months since his son died, Stout tossed and turned over the idea of filing a lawsuit against the state of Idaho, which owns the Perrine Bridge. And when 30-year-old Jason John Corcoran of Wexford, Pa., was killed in a jump off the Perrine a week and a half ago, Stout said it convinced him to file a lawsuit.

    But Stout said he put that plan on hold after BASE jumpers Jason Bell and Tom Aiello contacted him recently. The doors of communication were opened. Now, the three are talking about ways to make BASE jumping safer while allowing the bridge to remain open for all BASE jumpers to enjoy, Stout said.

    "We realized we all have the same goal, and that goal is to save lives," Stout said.

    Attempts to reach Aiello by e-mail Friday were unsuccessful. Aiello and many others in the BASE community had traveled to Fayetteville, W.Va., for Bridge Day, an annual, one-day BASE jumping event held Saturday at the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge.

    What Stout would like to see is a pamphlet called "Brian's Paper" which would contain basic BASE jumping safety tips along with information about the correct gear configuration for making particular jumps off the Perrine Bridge. He said if his son had been using the appropriate gear, he wouldn't have died that day.

    "I'm convinced my son should not be dead," Stout said. "The equipment my son was using was not appropriate for that jump."

    Stout said he gets the feeling BASE jumpers want to regulate themselves. But he wants to see a little more oversight, such as spot checks made by the appropriate authorities to make sure jumpers had read and understood "Brian's Paper."

    "I am willing to negotiate an approach to safety with minimal regulatory oversight," Stout said. "I want BASE jumpers to have to acknowledge the document. After they've signed it, they get a copy, and the regulatory government body gets a copy. Then there would be some kind of spot check enforcement. I don't think that's an overly burdensome price to pay."

    Stout said the next step is to bring everyone together. He plans to talk further with Bell and Aiello this week.

    "For the first time since my son's death, I'm finally getting some people to listen to me and talk to me," Stout said. "We need to sit down with the mindset that we're all here to save a life. I'm just bringing the ideas. I want the experts to make the decision with my input."

    Those experts include BASE jumpers themselves and whatever regulatory agencies have jurisdiction on the Perrine Bridge.

    "They have the knowledge and skills to put together these procedures."

    But there's one thing Stout won't compromise on.

    "I've got to have Brian's Paper," he said.

    And what about liability waivers? There are many questions. For instance, who would jumpers release from liability? The state of Idaho, which owns the bridge? Would someone sue Twin Falls County or Jerome County? The bridge sits on the county line.

    Keogh said such a waiver would have to release every entity and person from liability. But he doesn't think most jumpers would mind signing such a waiver.

    "Jumpers by and large feel the responsibility is their own and would be more than willing to release everyone from liability," Keogh said. "It is every BASE jumper's desire that no one is liable except the jumper."

    Stout said "Brian's Paper" would especially protect beginning jumpers, the "newbies." Though his son Brian had made about a hundred skydives, he was killed making his 12th BASE jump.

    Most of all, Stout doesn't want other parents to suffer the loss of a child like he did. He said his son's death was meaningless, but "Brian's Paper" could change that.

    "I have spent 16 months grieving my son," Stout said. "There was nothing worthy about my son's death, and I'm struggling very hard. If it saves one life, which it will, my son's death becomes more meaningful."


  2. #2

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    Thanks to BASE 652 for keeping us informed on all BASE related issues in the TF area.

    Did the writer, Sandy Miller, ever correct the mistakes in her last article where she claimed Dwain died on a BASE jump and that Bridge Day was 9 days ago? She promised a correction to that article.

    Tom and I got the chance to discuss this issue briefly at Bridge Day and we plan to talk more this week. I don't see how any regulatory agency would be willing to do spot checks of jumpers to make sure they've read the pamphlet, but Tom and I agree that having the pamphlets on Don's boat would be a great method.

    More later.....


    ------------
    Jason Bell (BASE428)
    Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
    Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

  3. #3
    BASE652
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    >Did the writer, Sandy Miller, ever correct the mistakes in
    >her last article where she claimed Dwain died on a BASE jump
    >and that Bridge Day was 9 days ago? She promised a correction
    >to that article.

    Yes, there was a correction printed - can't attest to the completeness of it, but those two items were addressed and some
    more corrections. I suspect she put all your corrections in, but
    can't find the info to quote it.

    later,

  4. #4
    narcimund
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    One little correction to this current article: I have 14 jumps off the bridge, not four.

    I tried to put Sandy in touch with Tom so he could be the Voice of Base but he doesn't seem to be getting or responding to my messages. Odd.

  5. #5
    imported_Tom Aiello
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    I haven't had any computer access over the weekend (bridge day, you know), except for one brief period on Friday, between lunch and the wingsuit seminar (which I used for some pressing moderation duties at DZ.com).

    I contacted Sandy today, and gave her my phone numbers. She had my email already, as we had corresponded the previous week regarding the errors in the last article (one reason that I found it odd that she tried to contact me through you was that I knew she had my correct email address--since she had just used it).

    --Tom Aiello
    tbaiello@mac.com

  6. #6
    imported_Mac
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    >One little correction to this current article: I have 14
    >jumps off the bridge, not four.

    Ah thank you for pointing that out - I now re-read the whole article in a new light!

    Its funny how a slight misquote changes the whole angle of the article isnt it?

    :P

    Michael
    Mac
    BASE 813





  7. #7

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    This will never go away if we placate.

    There is no need for a pamphlet, and there is no possibility for "spot checks". Why no spot checks? Who is going to do them? Who is going to pay them to do them? If a spot check is done and someone goes in, now there is liability beyond the person dumb enough to huck themselves off a bridge.

    Other than making you feel good, a pamphlet is useless. We are talking about a life and death sport here. There is information available everywhere on how to get into base safely. If someone chooses not to listen and learn, Darwin is always standing by. A last minute pamphlet could not begin to educate. The liability of authoring and distributing such a pamphlet is just crazy. I used to whitewater kayak class V rivers, and I could just see a pamphlet at the put in saying that I might get killed on this river, and that I should wear a PFD and helmet... duh.

    I understand the need to feel like you are doing something worthwhile with the loss you've been dealt. But this is not like a drunk driver killing your son and you creating MADD. Nothing illegal or immoral going on here. Just life at the edge where poeple die in the pursuit of living.

    My 2 cents.

    Tree

    Edited in response to Wayne's request for respect.

  8. #8

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    Tom and I agree that spot checks would burden local authorities and it's not a good idea. We would rather work something out with Wayne so that pamphlet's get placed on Don's boat, and Don would hand them out each time a jumper buys a boat ticket.

    I do not think it is a good idea to burden the City, or even have the City of TF sign off on anything, or even for the City to have anything to do with this other than be informed of what our final agreement was. The goal is to educate jumpers on a few things such as:

    1. Min. 42" PC. Measure your PC to verify exact diameter.
    2. Min. 9' bridles. Measure your bridle to verify exact length.
    3. BASE specific gear only.
    4. High performance canopies are highly discouraged.
    5. Jump with a mentor or FJC if you have less than 10 BASE jumps.
    6. Have a rescue boat available if you are performing an intentional water landing.
    7. Notify the local authorities before and after jumping.
    8. Don't jump from the rail.
    9. Don't cross the road in the middle of the bridge.
    10. Don't consume alcholic beverages while jumping or while on the bridge.

    Notice a trend in the above? Very similar to Bday rules and recommendations. This is a basic list that has not been mentioned to anyone yet and is only a rough draft. We have learned a lot from the 24 years at Bridge Day. There hasn't been a death at Bday since 1987 and, that too, was attributable to a smaller-than-normal PC size.

    At Bday 2003, we caught one 6'-9" bridle!!!! Apparently, jumpers are either too lazy to check their bridle lengths or don't know what they even own.

    Can BASE gear manufacturers start marking bridle lengths on the bridle itself? I think this would be a great idea to quickly verify if a 9' bridle is being used. I have personally bought many "9 foot" bridles only to measure them and find they are much less in length. Put a small white "9 FOOT" tag near the shrivel flap on the bridle! Same thing applies for PC's. Why don't all BASE gear manufacturers MARK the size on the PC somewhere???????

    Tree, I understand where you're coming from, but I would personally sleep better at night knowing that we're at least trying to educate our own and keep everyone safe. What might have happened to that guy at Bday 2003 with the 6'-9" bridle if we hadn't caught it? He probably would have been just fine, but for how many jumps in the future?


    ------------
    Jason Bell (BASE428)
    Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
    Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

  9. #9

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    Very good points Tree :)…

    The way I look at it, this pamphlet or potential lawsuit may even cause more deaths… I say that because if the bridge becomes regulated and too much of a hassle to deal with or the bridge is eventually closed because Idaho just doesn’t want to deal with these issues, the BASE jumping community looses a relatively safe place for training and honing our skills. So that means we as BASE jumpers have to go back underground to perform all of our BASE jumps and we loose one of the safest places we have to jump because someone’s father doesn’t understand BASE jumping and the fact that BASE jumping is 100% a personal choice that and that this choice comes with the responsibility of keeping our own butts alive…

    No one told Brian to jump off the Perrine Bridge, he did it on his on free will. Brian also did not pursue the knowledge that would have kept him alive. Again, he did not pursue the knowledge on his own free will. That fact that he died the way he did saddens me and I hate hearing about these kinds of deaths. But even with Brian’s mistake, I still hold the up most respect for him because he lived life the way he wanted to…

    With that said, it is truly sad to hear that Brian’s father thinks that his son’s death was for nothing… In my book, Brian’s participation in BASE stood for freedom that we claim to have in America. But people, like Brian’s Father, are too quick to regulate something that they themselves don’t understand. By doing this, this steals the freedom away from those who do understand what BASE jumping is and what it represents, FREEDOM… Brian’s father needs to understand that Brian had the freedom to die doing something that he loved doing. It’s sad that Brian died because of gear related issues but don’t forget that he did die doing something that he did on his own free will!

    With all that said… I will never agree to allowing anyone to regulate BASE jumping… I don’t want to loose going to the Perrine, but if need be I will be happy to never go there again to appose these initiatives...

    SBCmac

  10. #10
    narcimund
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    So far it looks to me like the naysayers are completely misunderstanding what's being proposed. An informative pamphlet ("Brian's Paper") is harmless and potentially valuable. It has many possible uses:

    1) It can communicate the local "rules" such as staying off the rail.

    2) It can remind jumpers of the specific circumstances of the bridge and nearby objects. It's like a "Call the locals" shortcut, although it should never replace that

    3) It can be a living, growing list of unobvious double-checks. As the sport grows, new gotchas are discovered. It's not a bad idea to accumulate them in a document.

    4) It can help Wayne Stout participate in the sport's safety in honor of his son. Wayne isn't a jumping member of the community and he isn't a WILLING member, nor was he invited. But nonetheless he's involved through circumstances beyond everyone's control and letting him have room to do what he needs to do is in everyone's benefit. It certainly is better than locking him out until he lashes back.

    It's looking like aside from all these benefits it's got NO drawbacks. Liability? That's only the problem of the people who get involved. Let them handle that. There are ways to avoid the problem. There would probably have to be a lawyer involved. Big deal.

    Regulation? None is being proposed. It's being formed as a voluntary, community-service level project. Let's see if this can be worked out in a way that suits us rugged individualists AND Wayne Stout. I bet it can be.

    So stop bitching and start cooperating on some solutions.

  11. #11
    Wayne Stout
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    To You "Tree" and SBCmac. I do not wish to get into some kind of contest with you folks as I need to focus my energies elsewhere for something much more important; but I do want you to know that while you may not agree with me and that would certainly be an understatement, I do not understand the need to say such hurtful and disrespectful things.

    It is my son that is dead not yours. It is my loved one that I do not ever get to talk to again. His death was and is very meaningless to me and I don't particularly care how you feel about that.

    To set the record straight, I had a wonderful relationship with my son. How dare you make such a statement! I loved him and he knew it and he loved me and I knew it. The only "shortcoming" as you suggested in your comments in my relationship with my son is....he is dead. Oh, since we are discussing shortcomings, they fall in the category of reading your trash and my responding to it.

    I think the good news is that you do not represent the mentality of the entire BASE jumping community. I have nothing else to say to you. I would sincerely ask that we not address each other again on this or any other forum. Please give me at least that much respect.

    Thank You,

    Wayne Stout

  12. #12

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    If Tom and Jason can get something worked out with Wayne, I'm all for it. My opinions are just that, opinions. I've said many times that I am very sorry for Brian's death. I hate to see anyone die nnecessarily . Just as I know that I cannot undestand what Wayne is going through (I have no kids yet), Wayne has no idea what BASE means to me.

    Olive branch extended.

    Tree

  13. #13

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    Obviously you are the one that does not know what is being proposed… Maybe you should read the above article again… This time pay attention to the two below paragraphs that I have cut out for you…

    Quote from posted news article:
    Stout said he gets the feeling BASE jumpers want to regulate themselves. But he wants to see a little more oversight, such as spot checks made by the appropriate authorities to make sure jumpers had read and understood "Brian's Paper".

    "I am willing to negotiate an approach to safety with minimal regulatory oversight," Stout said. "I want BASE jumpers to have to acknowledge the document. After they've signed it, they get a copy, and the regulatory government body gets a copy. Then there would be some kind of spot check enforcement. I don't think that's an overly burdensome price to pay."

    SBCmac

  14. #14
    imported_Tom Aiello
    Guest

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    >Obviously you are the one that does not know what is being
    >proposed… Maybe you should read the above article again…

    Hmmm. So the newspaper is the ultimate authority on what is going on? Is that like when the newspaper prints stories about jumps, or jumping accidents?

    I don't think anyone knows what's going on at the moment, because no concrete proposals have been brought forward. It's all still on the order of trying to organize something that will satisfy all the involved parties.

    All that aggressive internet speculation is really doing is riling up Wayne Stout, so that he gets angry, and is more difficult for the jumping community to negotiate with. Is that really such a good idea?

    I think we all have the same goals here: keep the bridge open to jumping, reduce the incidence of possible future accidents, let Wayne move on with his life and stop having to be an unwilling member of the BASE community.

    Obviously, Wayne has some things he'd like to see done. Equally obviously, we as jumpers don't agree with all of those things. Now, the task is to find a middle ground that satisfies everyone, and still meets our basic goals. Yelling at each other on the internet doesn't really help to accomplish that.

  15. #15

    RE: Twin Falls Sunday Newspaper Article

    I guess SBCmac won't be coming to Bridge Day, or Petronas, or KL Tower, or Norway, or other sites because they all have some form of required gear and/or recommendations.

    If you think a simple information pamphlet won't help at the Perrine, then you are a seriously misinformed base jumper. At Bridge Day, we actually CHECK your gear before you can jump. At the Perrine, all we're proposing is an information pamphlet with no regulatory gear checks.

    This really isn't that difficult and should make both sides happy.

    ------------
    Jason Bell (BASE428)
    Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
    Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

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