I was recently looking through posts I made on BLiNC as I was trying to get into BASE, these were around 2000 / 2001. One of which was a post I made after having the possibility of being taken out on a jump, and my concern for the experience credentials of this person.

One response I had was
I think this is an important subject. Anyone want to start a discussion about it?

Here are my thoughts:

1) More than 200 BASE jumps.
2) More than 20 different objects.
3) At least five jumps from each of the following: (a) sub-200 ft (usually static line--possibly free fall, especially if you are Down Under), (b) slider down free fall with some delay (1-3 second delay, generally objects around 400 ft), (c) slider up sub-terminal (4-7 second delays, generally objects in the 600-1000 ft range), (d) terminal objects.
4) Solid knowledge of industry standard rigging (i.e. line release modification, tailgates, mesh sliders), even if they don't personally use them.
5) At least 75 jumps in the past year.

The general idea is that a qualified BASE instructor ought to be (a) experienced (in a wide range of jumps), (b) knowledgeable, and (c) current.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu
Which to be honest, I think is a pretty good standard. I have heard of people being taken by people with less jumps and experience, which is fine as a point, I have taken people with a handful of jumps places, but they are under no illusion that I am not a mentor, just going jumping with them (of course you keep an eye over them).

I am just wondering after reading my old posts of breaking in and how I was so cautious and trying to do the correct thing, and the changes now with people wanting it now and now and now, that the hit on effect has brought people in who now want to teach now and now and now.

Has anyone seen a marked drop in standards of mentors and teaching, and are people less picky about the people that teach them nowadays?

Just a thought thats all to chew over....

Michael

PS) My original thread is here: http://blincmagazine.com/forum/origi...hers-base.html