I wanted to start a thread. I would like very experienced jumpers to post to this question:
If you could give a new jumper, or a person just starting into BASE a SOLID piece of advice, What would that be?
I wanted to start a thread. I would like very experienced jumpers to post to this question:
If you could give a new jumper, or a person just starting into BASE a SOLID piece of advice, What would that be?
My advice:
Before you ever try a BASE-Jump, go to the drop zone a make the following jumps:
* Tracking jumps to perfect your track on high base-jumps. The limited tracking you get on 4-ways, and freefly jumps is never going to be enough.
* Do a hop-and-pop and do not unstow your brakes. Land with just risers. You may have to do this someday, on boulders, on a base-jump.
* Do a hop-and-pop and unstow only 1 break. Land with just riser and 1 toggle. You may have to do this someday, on boulders, on a base-jump.
**** I will edit this again soon........
[hr]
[font color=#9999FF]
Thank You
Mick Knutson :D
[a href=/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi]
[img src=/cgi-bin/gallery/randthumb.cgi?Accident align=left border=0]
[/a] [link:www.blincmagazine.com|BLiNC Magazine]
"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know whom to ask."
[hr]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=user_register|Registered with BLiNC?]
* [link:www.basejumper.net|FREE Web Based E-Mail @ BASEJumper.net]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/newsletter.shtml|Newsletter]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/store/|Store]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/review/|Product Ratings]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/weather/|Weather]
[/font]
Aside from that....what as a BASE instructor/mentor is most rewarding in teaching someone this INCREDIBLE sport. I'm just taking suggestions so I can thank the guys who are patiently walking me down this exhilirating road. And the OBVIOUS one is not getting yerself killed....ain't planning on that anyway. thankx.
Never be afraid to back down at any point. Don't jump with people who will harass you for a decision to back off. It takes hours of courage to back off, and only a split second of stupidity to exit.
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu
Learn how to controllably land your canopy on a dime and don't be afraid to do a 180 BEFORE you leave the exit point.
If you are comfortable with the fact that you will attend your friends or your own funeral, sometime during your base jumping career, you are ready to start. if not, dont bother.
Are you comfortable attending your friends funerals?
Things I wish I'd known sooner...
Canopy control with rear risers
Accuracy
Proper pilot chute size in relation to delay
Proper pilot chute stowing
Check your brakes and how they're stowed as you place your canopy into the packing tray - ##### happens.
Courage to walk away
Always wear protective gear - you never, never know
If you jump with a good luck charm - get rid of it as soon as possible. One day you'll forget it and it will freak you out. This goes for lucky shirts, pants, undies and bandanas.
3-2-1-C-YA - not cool. It's SO '90's
Things I'm glad I knew, or glad I learned without injury...
Alleviate gear fear. When in doubt, re-pack.
Bridges over water - you dry faster than you heal.
Courage to go hand-held when everyone else is going stowed.
Courage to hike down alone in the dark because the wind is too strong after everyone else has jumped.
Courage to hike 4 hours down off a rock (with no jump) and drive 5 hours home after elaborate arrangements to have a free weekend.
Ignore people who ask if you have a death wish or ask how you could BASE jump while you have children at home. They're ignorant wankers. NOBODY gets it. Get use to it.
Get proper training before you attempt BASE aerials.
Kicking your legs or swinging your arms in dead air after you exit does nothing for your opening - but it makes great video.
NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON A BASE JUMP! Fly it to the dirt. It's not over until you hit the earth - one way or another.
And ladies...
Don't pack when you're angry.x(
It's easier to keep from being angry if you date outside the BASE community. ;)
Don't get breast implants if you want to be a great BASE aerialist. Throws your balance WAY off. :P
3-2-1 cya may be so 90's but I've found I can't jump without it, sad but true :-)
Craig
Know YOUR limits! This implies that you have to learn about ALL aspects of the sport before you can know what limits there are.
Just because someone else can do it, it does not mean that YOU can do it.
Don't kid yourself. Be realistic about your experience, abilities, personal condition (mental and physical) etc.
Do BASE for the right reasons. Ego and image are not the right reasons to start the sport. They can however become a part of it once you develop the right skills and experience.
You will NEVER know everything about the sport. Therefore, do NOT close your mind to learning.
Preparation improves your safety.
Learn one skill at a time. IF you try multiple new techniques at once, the odds are you will be punished.
The BASE Gods acheived their status through years of learning, training, step by step skill development, patience, etc. They DID NOT JUST WATCH SOMEONE ELSE AND JUMP. If you see a BASE guru do something "cool" ask what preparation is involved, prepare, then do it.
Having accidents IS NOT COOL. Especially if you are repeating history. There is a growing trend towards idiots who are endangering their lives by doing things (without preparation and experience) that have already been done hundreds of times. Only risk your life if you are pioneering something new.
A BASE jump IS NOT A SKYDIVE. No matter what height it is. When have you jumped out of a plane at 3000ft with no airspeed and tracked down a rock wall???? NEVER.
The first 3 to 6 seconds of a BASE jump are NOT like skydiving. You cannot fly into the right body position, you have to use gymnastic and diving techniques to obtain the right body position if you become unstable.
Beware of self proclaimed experts (BASE instructors) who know very little about the sport. They are dangerous. Ask for second opinions and/or references.
If everything goes right, BASE jumping is pretty easy to do. When things start to go wrong, they go horribly wrong and complex in fractions of a second.
Solving problems in BASE jumping should be done before you jump. Don't try to solve the problems when they happen as you don't have time. Do a "potential problem analysis" before each jump, and have a solution ready in your mind before you exit. Your response in emergencies will be automatic when things go wrong.
Thank people who help you. You are not automatically entitled to be a part of the sport.
Don't skimp on BASE gear. Every dollar you save brings you one broken bone closer to death.
etc etc etc
Oh, and don't try to compete with an Aussie on a low pull comp.
Tom B
Dir. of Safety ABA
When I first starting learning about Base, a late friend and great teacher brought that up with me. It was one of the few things that really hit home and made me question why do I really want to Base.
There is a certain responsibility associated with base jumping, to family, to friends, to yourself.
If you cannot accept the reality of serious injury and/or death and what that might do to your family, friends, and self; DONT BASE JUMP.
Realize Base jumping is dangerous, and a lack of respect or poor judgement will bite back, sometimes all too hard.
We tread a fine line between life and death, and ultimately it is our knowledge and education that allows us to stare into the face of the demon, and come back full of life, ready to jump into the fire again....
Listen to peoples advice but always remember that you have ultimate responsibility. Everybody has different opinions about everything in this sport so gather all those opinions and draw your own conclusions.
Craig
>It's easier to keep from being angry
>if you date outside the BASE
>community. ;)
Good advice, Sue! I had to learn this lesson the hard way in the skydiving community, so now that I am entering the BASE community, I am already preparing myself to avoid dating BASE jumpers. Now maybe a nice balloon pilot, or better yet a helicopter pilot might make a nice companion ;-)
>It's easier to keep from being angry
>if you date outside the BASE community. ;)
Now Sue, it's not our fault that you have bad taste in guys...
(I'm sure I've met at least two stable, sensitive men who BASE jump--now which two were they? )
I would say, to get the opinion of as many other jumpers as you can and base your decision on that. Not before you get those opinions, and not on your own opinion.
[hr]
[font color=#9999FF]
Thank You
Mick Knutson :D
[a href=/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi]
[img src=/cgi-bin/gallery/randthumb.cgi?Building align=left border=0]
[/a] [link:www.blincmagazine.com|BLiNC Magazine]
"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know whom to ask."
[hr]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=user_register|Registered with BLiNC?]
* [link:www.basejumper.net|FREE Web Based E-Mail @ BASEJumper.net]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/newsletter.shtml|Newsletter]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/store/|Store]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/review/|Product Ratings]
* [link:www.blincmagazine.com/weather/|Weather]
[/font]
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks