Basejumper.com - archive

This post may be best in a separate thread. Tom, please feel free to move it if you think it's appropriate.

While my recommendation is for everyone to get gear checks prior to exit, I don't always get one or ask for one.

I don't have a problem with setting my rig down, opening the riser covers and closely inspecting everything there, opening the pin flap to check bridle routing and taking a look to see if I'm sporting the proper size pilot chute for the jump I'm about to do. After that, since my packjobs are very consistant and I know how much my pin tension will change based on the amount of clothing I'm wearing, I'll put the rig on and jump it without asking for a gear check.

What is my logic?

A lot of the time I jump with people I've never really worked with or whose experience I'm unfamiliar with. I also like to check out what others are doing with their gear while they're packing. Not to be nosy, I just really love parachutes and it's fun to see what others are doing with theirs. I've picked up some cool tricks this way too. I often see packing that concerns me, inattention to little details that I refuse to overlook, and a lack of inspecting components between jumps.

If I don't think someone maintains their gear or packs to my level of comfort, I don't feel that getting a gear check from them will accomplish anything. I think they'll open the riser covers and give it a glance, open the pin flap and give it a glance... seeing what's supposed to be there instead of noticing a subtle detail that may be important.

If I'm jumping with someone who I really trust (Tim, Tom, Ray, etc) Then I'll ask for a gear check. Kmonster does everything the way I do it because I taught her. I know she knows what to look for in a gear check, and I absolutely trust her to give me an exit point gear check.

Basically, I trust myself more than anyone else in this world. As a friend of mine said, "Nobody wants me to live more than me." If I look at my rig and deem it safe to jump, then it's good and I'll bet my life on it.

Done.

Interestingly, I've actually had more malfunctions caused by my gear checker at the exit (2) than potential malfunctions caught by the gear check (1). On two occasions, I've had my gear checker accidentally pop my pin, necesitating hasty re-closure of the rig at the exit point (here I stop and thumb my nose at Nik and Doug). On only one occasion has a gear check turned up something (here I stop and thank Bryan) potentially hazardous.


I don't even trust myself. I always try to get a second pair of eyes to look over things. I tend to try for the best pair of eyes I can find, but in a pinch, I'll settle for almost anyone. I guess I'm just a sissy, but I really don't want to be the guy who went in because he didn't get his three rings checked at exit, and the canopy detached on opening.

i dont know if its becourse im doing loads of solos were i chek my gear myself or if im just hysterical about my gear,however when i jump whith others i always do the gear chek myself,if people ask if they should have a look,my answere is (99%) "no thanks",i however dont have a problem to chek others gear.

Why?
I have serval reassons...
1. when i jump i want only me to blame if somthings goes wrong,i therefore also rather do a SL jumps instaed of a PCA(only 1 person gave me a PCA after i got my 2 first jumps).

2. i trust myself and my gear 100%,if i did a gearchek i do belive the gear is ok and i will jump it anyday

The same reasson people dont even make a line chek at my canopy unless i does one afterwards,plus i pack ALL my packjobs myself.

I only 1("only" 1 is one too much),had a mal. on my BASE canopy,it were a rigging erro(only to Blame me),that resulted in a 5cell canopy instead of a 7 cell(velcro on the multi all the way up resulted in a "multi-lock"),which actualy happened the day before i broke my leg...

It's funny.
One of my jumping friends ask me to check his pins/bridle/risers every jump. First he make gear check himself and then ask me to do it. He also think that two pairs of eyes and hands are better than one.
But I always answer "no, thanks" than he ask if i need the gear check too.
I have just one reason to do it this way. Every jumper has his own packing method. It may be the same as the another jumpers methods or has a little difference.
Than i already geared up i can't see what he's doing with my pins for example. And i prefer to leave my gear that condition i saw it than i made gearcheck myself.

The way that it has become for me was mainly because of jumping alone at the Idaho for those weeks. I won't put my rig on unless I am ready to jump it, with conifidence. I also have this wierd... superstition is the best word, but if someone asks if I want a gear check, I will almost always say yes. Just kind of the way things work, I rely on me, but wouldn't mind getting a second opinion. Hey, by the way dude, I got a great story for you guys about that new site.

You and Rauk are confusing (in appearance only)

What is, and how does one become part of, the B team?

Ah yes, the new site... Give us a call, Peter likey...

I'm with Rauk on this one too. Kind of got into the "self-responsibility" when I would have to solo and wait in the TF visitor center until a car would pull up, so a whoffo could be my GC in case I went in...

Four eyes are better than two, but I never put on a rig unless I am satisfied that it is "perfect", and all three connections are at least routed...

BASE safety is your responsibility, and your responsibility only, in the end...

Hookitt, there is actually an answer for that...

Enjoy the confusion,

P

I have an issue with people checking me.....

On kitting up and getting ready I sink into a world of myself........ I have done many solos and I like the reliance on myself in BASE that getting checked goes against my drive in BASE..... sometimes I ask to be checked but most times I want to be left alone and do my own thing..............

Saying that, I have had a friend who on being kitted up has asked me for a check and his bridle was under his leg strap, another time a friend did not have his chest strap done up.......... these times show that having a check is needed..........

in the end it personal...........

I prefer not to have a check as I like to be 100% self reliant................. thats just me i guess............

but most times on a load with many people and many distractions, i will always ask for a check..............

I rarely ask for a check but if someone offers I'll normally let them. I have one friend at least who prefers to have checked who he's jumping with. If it makes him feel better and I trust him to do it then why not.

Gus

i know its becours you know him,but i would never let a person give me a gear chek to let him feel better,its my gear,my life and my responcibility that the gear i jump is ok,i feel(unless i ask)best if only i chek my own gear.

Oh yes Mac your a person at your own at a exit point,i never saw a person like that on exit before and i must admit that i think your cool as F%¤k at a exit...

Yes Lee,i rember our jumps were we both did our cheks whith out any thing had to be said,sorry i stood on the wrong side at one jump anyway,it got solved and we got the video as we wanted

Aaaahhhhh, the B team.

Edit: Yes, Red and Black. That should do it.

Gear checks depend on who I'm with. I always gear check myself prior to donning my rig. If I'm with someone I know will do a quality check, then I will let them if they offer. If I'm particularly scared then perhaps I will ask them just for extra reassurance. If I don't know the people I'm with very well, I just stick to self reliance.

Pete: I did call you, you didn't answer but I laugh my ass off everytime I hear your voicemail...

Katie.

Peter, I could just see you at the visitor center asking some poor whuffo to gear check you, that would probably scare them more than help you.

Nice! I figured black and red was only appropriate as well.

Hooky Baby, THERE IS NO "A TEAM"! Although, now that there is an actually recognized "B Team" here in our State. I wan't in!!!! I don't like being left out of anything as you know. It's like politics, fuck the Left Wing and Right Wing, join us in the middle, it's better here. PLEASE come visit us though, we will show you such subterminal delights and hospitality!!!

Love, love, Hanky!!

Know anyone who jumps a black and red rig? How about a black and red canopy to go along with that black and red rig?

But what about that bigass logo? just kidding buddy.

Oh but the B team is nationally represented as well. We have representatives in Idaho, and in Washington. Only wings I wanna know about are on wingsuits, and politics definitely don't have a place at exit. Nothing but good times to be had there. No A team, but I have heard some interesting rumors about a so called "C team"...
Take it easy Hank