All,
I have been involved in this sport and watching this board for over three years at this stage and in that time I have been unfortuneate enough to see quite a few reports into serious accidents / deaths.
One or two have resulted from someone jumping into fog - this adds to the risk and yes I've done it but at least I know the risk.
One resulted from someone misrouting his brakes - I'd like to think I wouldn't do this and through careful packing I may never.
A few have resulted from jumpers exiting on their back whilst filming and losing track of altitude - As a result I doubt I will ever do this but if I do I know the risk.
A few resulted from low timers / first timers exiting unstable - I hope to fu(k I always get the nice stable exits I've had to date but I know there is always a risk of this.
A few have been as a result of off heading openings - this has happened to me and I managed to get off the wall but it's always a risk and one that I can at least anticipate and hope to avoid through good packing or rectify through good reactions - but hey I know the risk.
I haven't nearly covered all the deaths or serious accidents here unfortuneately, but I think I may be getting my message across.
To date I have analysed every accident / death reported and I have been able to state that I would either have never knowingly put myself in the situation or if the scenario had presented itself I would have at least have had a chance of saving my sorry a$$.
What is really getting to me over this tragic accident (and on that note I send my and all Irish BASE jumpers deepest condolences to Brian's family and friends) is the fact that I cannot say this wouldn't have happened to me or that I would have done something differently.
I may not have a right to the information but I am entitled to ask for it.
Why can't you post your opinions? I don't believe this will place you in any legal difficulty.
In response to Gayle27. I am very sorry for your loss but every possibility has to be examined, including the possibility that whilst he described the exact procedure to you he didn't carry it out. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost someone close to them and I believe answers will only be arrived at by fully addressing every possible scenario, even the ones we don't want to consider.
Martin Waldron
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