Basejumper.com - archive

Just curious if any of you have tried to keep someone from skydiving and/or basejumping and why?

I've recently come across a young jumper that someone here has tried to keep out of both skydiving and base.

I am not in a position to keep anyone from
doing anything...however I do share my
opinions with people who ask and definitely
give my students honest input.

I encourage almost everyone whos body shape is
height/weight proportioned to do a tandem skydive.
Of course being a tandem master I have a financial
incentive for getting whuffos to make a jump.

I encourage tandem passengers who do not freak out
and seem smart/coordinated to take up skydiving as
a sport if they can afford it and enjoy it. Again being
an instructor I have a financial incentive to train more
students, but I have told a few students that "maybe
skydiving is not for you".

However, I do discourage whuffos and inexperienced
skydivers from getting into BASE jumping. This is the
exact same input I was given from very experienced
BASE jumpers on here and the guy I paid to teach me.

At first I did not understand why someone who loves
BASE jumping would not want more people to try it.
So I asked 'Why?'.

The explanation I received from various sources was
almost identical. 1) BASE can be addictive, 2) BASE
can hurt or kill you faster than skydiving, 3) the more
people who BASE jump the more people will get hurt
or killed which impacts the public's perception of us,
and 4) more people using local objects increases the
bust factor for everyone.

No.

By the way you ask it, this should be a poll.

Yes.

I encountered a young (17 years old) kid (not a jumper) who bought BASE gear by lying about his experience level (he said he had around 300 skydives, when in fact he had never made a skydive). He had the gear shipped to him after paying for half of it, but then refused to pay the other half, and refused to respond to the seller. His mother eventually confiscated the gear and returned it to the seller.

I offered to loan him some skydiving gear so that he could reduce his costs in taking AFF and making skydives, then offered him free BASE training once he had sufficient skydives.

He declined my offer, and instead went off and tried to lie to some other people about his experience level.

I told people who I know about this experience, which has probably made it harder for him to get into BASE.


I'd say that given the situation, namely that he:

a) had lied to his mother (who he lives with)
b) had lied to at least 3 jumpers about his experience level (zero)
c) tried to rip off one BASE gear seller (by failing to pay the final installment for the gear after he received it)
d) turned down fairly substantial offers of assistance because he wanted an easier way

I was fairly justified in telling people about my experience with him.

Yes, skydiving, because they were not cut out for it. They had no control of themselves in freefall but worse than that had little to no comprehension of the risks and consequences of failing to perform.

Yes, BASE, as I felt they had not completed enough skydives nor had reached a level of proficiency in canopy control to transition to a sport with a higher level of performance pressure. I also thought their reason for wanting to BASE was weak. (It looked cool).

Maybe your judgment is suspect.

nah. he knows so much, he needs no limitations. he rigs, he trains, he designs new equipment, etc. stuff I'd never do.

unfortunately, many do not recognize his sizable skills. it creates frustration and anger.

or it could be for a reason I fail to recognize.

or maybe he is just lonely...

Thanks guys, I'm happy with what I received and this thread can die peacefully now.

 
This is off topic but I now wonder if there is a sustainable level of BASE jumpers? Is there an average number of jumpers that can live in "harmony" with society? What might/would this number be?

 

I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it.

there's a couple people I can think of that I'd love for you to use for target practice...LOL! Although, I'm a pretty good shot myself....just ask the squirrel population that's fallen from the limbs and not even known I was there until the trigger was pulled.

C'mon C. where's the meathead love? You know it's an act and I'm all about warm fuzzies and hugs and stuff.

#2 - Vote for PedroHarvey

Oh, Kaye...response to op - Yes. Because they were all dumbasses.

LOL!!!!

I claim (not 'blame') Canada ;-)

-=Raistlin

Dude, whoever claims the US has to be an "active" jumper.

Sorry my friend, you do not qualify.

can somebody claim california as a separate continent on the off chance an earthquake tears it out into the ocean? if that happens, dibs.

Unfortunately, underwater BASE is just not that much fun, so you can have Cali when that happens.

Dude, back off, you're in my "bubble".

you both are alright since neither of you jump. me and 1108 are takin it all.

hey jp this is the base jumping zone pleaes go back to the dorkzone. wht's your base number anyway. and skydives off the perrine don't count

Bitch, you gotta be here to claim it.

What's a BASE number?

Well Hell, I am a much better fighter
than I am a BASE jumper so if all it takes
is 'might' then I claimb the Florida Pan-Handle....
of course if any of you experienced guys comes
thru town then I'd be happy to ground crew for
you and put you up, but I still get to own it right