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When we were walking up to the bridge to do the 5-way that went to shit, I told everyone on the load

"Remember the most important thing on this jump is ME!"

May sound arrogant or self-serving but it is the reality of any exit. Worry about yourself first and foremost. If id doesn't feel right don't do it. Even if everyone else on the load goes, think first about yourself. Any other decision is the WRONG decision.

Once the shit happened, Jason was the most important thing on the jump and we all did our best to assist him. This includes all the people on the bridge, in the air, in the helicopter, ambulances, and hospitals.

To me this is EXACTLY the way it should work. This is dangerous stuff. Keep your head and make the right decisions.

It was a very messy weekend around the world for skydiving and BASE. I feel for all affected by the tragedies.

I think Jason used up everyone's luck for the weekend and he needed every bit of it.

*If you find yourself looking around and feeling as if you are the only one going hand held, it's okay. For a while I felt like a huge puss and actually considered going stowed..but then thought "why? I'm not doing aerials, it's not sketchy getting to exit, there is no reason" and stuck with hand held. 5.8sec is not a lot of time.

*BASE 'boogies' are way out of my league at my current experience level and take away a lot of the emotions I usually experience on a base jump and add a lot of un-needed pressure.

*Don't listen when people say "oh, but it's JUST a bridge".

*How seroius 2+ ways actually are...Every detail of the jump must be thoroughly discussed/planned/stuck to - exit, pitch, etc. If not, serious incidents or unintentional crew are likely to occur.

Okay, newb running back to corner..


Amanda

I didn’t learn much about BASE that I didn’t already know – But, I certainly learned something about human nature . . .

The forever smiling lady who checked me out of my TF hotel Tuesday morning had been sobbing and trying to hide it . . .

The place I ate breakfast every morning for a week tore up the bill when I went to the register for the last time. . .

The girls running the Outback looked up every time a woman came through the door, even though they knew Shannon wouldn’t be one of them – but they kept looking, and looking, and looking . . .

For some of us, and certainly for me, the last memory of Shannon isn’t going to be of her jump, it will be of her being so eager to help out with the impromptu gear raffle held Sunday afternoon down by the boat drop-off, and it was very fitting she spent that last time with us by giving stuff away . . .

I’ll also be pulling for Jason, who has a rough road ahead, and recall the kindness he showed me . . . We have now more than a few people ordering rigs and wearing that body armor and we’ve been measuring as many different body types as possible needing to know where to give the harness a little extra room. When I asked Jason, a stranger to me, if I could measure him with and without his body armor on I knew it was a lot to ask - as it’s a pain taking all that stuff off and putting it back on again. He didn’t even blink, “Sure, no problem at all,” is all he said . . .

We should also mention the practical side of things, the amount of canopy control difficulties some people displayed, the fact not just a few are practicing things off the bridge that would be best worked out down at the gym, and that in bad wind conditions too few walked away and too many went for it . . . There’s a Crew mentality at work there, but in the end - even when you launch a group-way, it is still all you . . .

Shannon will be number 99 on the BASE fatality list . . . Number 100 is walking around among us right now. Please, if you see this person, pull them aside and tell them to slow down . . .

NickD
BASE 194

In your words Nick: that is a nugget.

The importance of stability in freefall. I think this seems obvious in the context of stable exits, but I've learned that I should take very seriously anything which could cause an unstable deployment.

Michael

This lesson I translated from surfing to BASE awhile ago, but is as fitting at the Perrine as it is on ANY other BASE jump:

"You're always alone in big surf."

Take it how you want, but remember that in these sports that we do, there's only one person that's responible for your safety, and if you can't figure out who it is, then don't jump until you REALLY understand that.

486' over water is still a BASE jump.

Don't be a Dick.

pope

I am thanking a special jumper for coming over and talking to me when I had thought that Jason went in. After you left I stayed for a bit looking down at the rescue boat, then hoped back over the ledge. This is when a bystander asked if I knew Jason. I said I met him this weekend. She then told me that he was moving and talking... I shed tears of happiness for the first time in my life. I took a loooong walk after I heard that. Thank you for saying what you said, you know who you are.

I learned yet again that we are all family, with a love that brings people from all over the world, languages, cultures, disabilities/abilities, all together. This was one thing I learned from this weekend.

Remember: A BASE jump is a BASE jump, is a BASE jump; treat them all as such.

it's just a bridge... but 486' will kill 'ya

I learned to check your footing on every exit. I knew that already, but I think I'll be extra careful about it from now on.

Here's what happens when you slip on a wet platform when attempting a roll over (see attached pic). I dub it the "slip over."

YUCK!!!!

No boots but kneepads? Why's that?

Why no boots - Wearing sneakers on most of my jumps is a choice that I made, and I know it puts me in the minority. I feel like I'm better able to run out fast landings and I'm just generally more dexterous in sneakers. Ironic that I'm writing this after posting a picture of me slipping. Who knows though, it may have been worse in boots.
I've also sunk it in hard in sneakers, landed on RR tracks, medium sized rocks, rough terrain, mud puddles, etc. So far my ankles are intact, however a friend of mine hasn't been as fortunate even though he has a pair of the popular boots. Go figure.

Why knee pads - They've saved my knee before, probably will again.

I learned not to forget my precious Red Bull when faced with 10 climb outs. For each time I climbed out my double reverses got sloppier. The T-stake doesn’t help you maintain energy!!!! I want my money back.

I also learned that Matt can't hold his liquor!!!

Coco

I learned it was a great weekend to stay far away from Twin Falls and enjoy a local cliff jump.

Heal up Jason you miraculous mofo!!!

Got another view for ya....scared the shioot out of me. Glad it all came out OK.

1) We continue to fail to learn by the lessons of our predecessors.
2) Our enthusiasm far outstrips our skill level
3) These trends continue to accelerate
4) Very few will absorb 1-3 this time...as is the norm.

Next verse, same as the first.

We have forgotten the basics in favor of less appropriate, more ostensibly impressive skills.

Two mantras that aid the quest for the perfect score.
1) Keep it Simple, Stupid!
2) Execute the basics flawlessly.

The bit when you schlare the tarp is kind of critical. From the point at which your start to pack your canopy you are preparing for this moment. How strange that the instant foot and earth are reunited has become an arcane and forgotten detail in favor stunts such as not packing at all. I believe the reason for this is threefold...the new school is too impatient to pack and too scared of freefall and the old school is too worried about being seen to be left behind by the kids.

There is nothing less BASE and more crap than jumps without purity (unpacked shit) and not being able to land on a dime no matter where it is placed.

We should pull that fucking bridge down. It is becoming the birthplace of an increasing problem population.

How do you like me now, bitches?

Those exposed knee-pads and that slip of yours could easily have become another incident had those lines decided to meet up with your legs...

Come on people...think.

Here's a great photo of exposed kneepads causing problems....

Exposed Kneepad Snag

I learned that really bad things happen to really good people.

Of course I already knew that, but it was re-itterated.

Ganja

SLOW DOWN BROTHER, its a marathon not a sprint.
Blair

Wow, Skin has a way with words. Well said!! I could not agree more.

I do think Twin is a great place to get some experience under your belt, but that is opposite of what (most) people are using it for especially at these large events. I choose to stay away (far away) from that place last w/e in fear of exactly what happened. All kinds of people, from different walks of life, trying to push themselves WAY too far, WAY too fast.

I'm not at all surprised at what went down. Take a step back people, check yourself, and keep it safe.

Wishing a full and speedy recovery to all who were injured.

Wow Skin... This is incredibly well articulated.

Kudos.

Chris

<standing ovation>

Even more than before

Works for skydiving too sometimes. Different parameters maybe, but same idea.

I like you really well, and I'm no BASE jumper.

Wendy W.

You're still one of my all-time favorites.

Just to sort of extend on yours and Collin's thoughts a bit further...

People need to honestly ask themselves not only "Why am I jumping?" but "Who am I jumping for?".

Are you truly jumping for you or for the camera and/or crowd? Would you do jump X if you were completely by yourself?

I learned that when partying with mates $1 beers fucking rock. Hell YEAH.
I also learned that mentioning slippery feet and 50ringit IOUs will make Ray Losli look the other way, stop talking and loose his focus. So don't bring it up on the exit point. I also learned that you can still show up to the bridge with 31 skydives and some silly fucker will give you gear and send you off the bridge. "Just don't get it wet" CHUFFING BRILLIANT.
But let's not say anything to anyone coz it's not our place to tell someone what they're doing is fucked up. I also learned that most of the jumpers there were not ready for what happened. Now is definitely time for introspection folks. It's been said numerous times before, if you continue to jump there are only 2 possible outcomes.
Go hard, have a blast but prepare yourself for the worst. I speak from experience. The worst does and will continue to happen.
Cya.

I'd kiss ya if you we're cuter.


I cringe when I hear the words "BASE" and "Boogie" in the same sentance.

You are a minority...."you make way to much sense"...

You have my vote......

Perhaps one of the best ever typed into a computer.

Skin.. thats some good thinking there. I'm scared.. between you and Ray making sense with this:

I think this is a sign of the end of days...

That looks more like you're getting attacked by a giant Portugese Man o' War.

Ditto

Yeeeeeeeesh

what did I learn?
- that when taken too lightly, even "safe" objects will suffer injuries.
- attempts at humor, crowds, cameras, and a festive atmosphere can distract people from focusing on safety

(GO Skin!)

Burn it down! I couldn't agree more.

Well boys and girls, I learned not to talk to the media without a lawyer present... After getting a comment on my wonderful quotes in the twin falls paper just wanted to say that I did not say "base jumpers think about death differently than other people" The first part is accurate... Basically the gist was "most base jumpers THINK about death" When asked if we ignore the possibiliy of dying.
Tracy and I both conveyed that we thought most jumpers were very aware of the possibility of dying, as opposed to how popular culture for the most part is in denial.

Don't sweat it too much. ABC news misquoted me pretty badly, too.

Yes Tom. I knew something was up with the choppy interview of you saying "all base jumpers are fools and I eat small children when I am not base jumping!"

Know what I learned from Mem. Day Weekend? I've already said it once, but it bears repeating, if only for myself in written form:

BASE jumping is not for me.

BASE jumping is not for me.

BASE jumping is not for me.

It is alluring, it is captivating, it's addictive to watch, and you who do it have my upmost respect, but

BASE jumping is not for me.

RESPECT.

Ditto.

Boo ya kashaa

Nice.

Spoken in true Kiwi fashion. And... I agree.

The media misquoted you ??? No way. ...
You might even be misquoted in the future also. Any Interview freely given without thinking. With audio or video or both. Is nothing but fuel for the medias huge and ever growing (library-bank) of collective information. Your image and words can be brought up and used in any edited and pieced together manor that they wish. To create entertainment Accurately or Inaccurately. It is there choice Not Yours.
.
I suggest in any future contact with media (You do This). Knife there automobile tires then push them down the closest flight of Stairs available. It Is the BEST form of training to discourage any future attempts at there Ambulance Chasing mentality for a story. I even find that rubbing there nose in a puddle of there own Urine while beating them with a rolled up copy of there Own employers News Paper. Really works well also. ...
.

> How do you like me now, bitches?
I agree with every single word you wrote, mate!!!

What I learned:

1) Going stowed from a 5.8 sec object can severely complicate the jump.

2) The next time I am up there I need to practice my stowed pulls a bunch before actually going stowed (to date I haven't gone stowed from that object yet).

3) Things that other jumpers do that seem simple may still not be appropriate for me to try with my current low experience level.

Since this was my first time: to the mid-west, in Idaho, attending an FJC, and BASE jumping I learned many things about BASE jumping techniques, rigging, its culture, but most importanly about myself. Here are 4 things I am willing to share:

A) BASE openings are much, much harder than skydiving openings.

B) Watching someone 'Go In' right in front of you is different than it happening on the horizon.

C) 3 seconds of freefall is not worth 45 minute pack jobs, 30 minute climb outs, getting slammed, and the extra risks.

D) BASE jumping is not free, it really costs a whole lot more than skydiving does in the long run.

I should've known better...I'm glad they didn't throw in a couple quotes for the articale about shannon.

This is from a less-than-newbie, a zero-bie, who was not there and is only in the BASE thinking/dreaming stage.

I will do much more training in canopy control and difficult/tight landings than I or anyone else thinks I need, and continue practicing forever. I will find some way to learn and practice exits and low speed stability, and will continue that training/practice forever. I will use body armor. You Folks Rock!

when it rains go to moab

like the man said there is no such thing as JUST ANOTHER BASE JUMP , they are all a serious base jump and should be treated as such . do not get complacent as complacency can and will catch up to you . be safe everybody and keep thinking .

Hmmm. Perhaps this explains the 3 injuries in Moab in the past week?

we jump as we dream...alone

and we should make the decision to jump alone and not in a crowd of pepole that are eager to "go for it",even when the weather or other things are speak against it...
for me personaly i try to avoid those boogiesituations, but it is not always possible,...
i love the comunity to much

anyway,... i think it is like nick wrote,...
we lerned maybe about the human nature,...
but thats all....