Basejumper.com - archive

On November 8, I made a bad decision. I jumped a dirty low cliff that I had no business being on. I had a 180, impacted the cliff and bounced for about 200 ft. I was falling toward terra firma headfirst until my canopy yanked me upright at the last minute, causing me to land on my ass. I was lucky. I had a clean femur break and compressed L2 and L4 vertebrae. I now have a titanium rod in my femur. I also spent a night in traction.
I wanted to post some images of my bad decision as a reminder to THINK at the exit point. Is the object too technical for your skill set? Are wind conditions favorable? What about your body positioning? Even if all of the above are acceptable, it’s still a dice roll. Can you turn it around in time?

This is my wife, in 2 weeks she is now walking/hobbling around with no crutches. Just be careful noobs. I was deep in Texas when this happened.
Ya' gotta have backup, cuz' we are sure struggling right now. Thank you for anyone who has brought food or visited, or sent good vibes.

The Dr. said "she'd be jumping in no time". I would have jumped across the table and choked him out. Be careful folks. It's just choice, fabric and a decision in the end.

Lots of love!

Thank you for sharing your very large slice of humble pie. I hope others take note that it is not relished and has a lasting aftertaste.

Best wishes for a speedy and total recovery.

jon

Thanks for sharing your story.

Everyone makes a bad decision at some point. The best jumpers seem to learn from both the ones they got away with, and the ones they didn't.

Heal fast.

Enclosed, is one of my less than stellar decisions (wrong exit direction, bad conditions, etc), in funny poster form, that I got away with....

http://i105.photobucket.com/...dailey624/regret.jpg

And learn by the ones we lost on the way!

 
OUCH! Hope you heal well man, and thanks for sharing... makes mine look trivial:

That sucks. Glad you made it out alive.

I shattered my femur on a jump 11 years ago and the bugger still gives me tons of trouble. I lost 60 percent of my blood from that farging accident. BASE is still a very dangerous sport and the dreaded 180 will eventually get you given enough time.

First and foremost, glad you are still around!!

Second, thanks for sharing your story & photos.

Third, I had a femur rod, skin graft, and staples
from a motorcycle accident so I know how much
it is going to suck for you for a while. Being in
good shape and tough you will heal well, just be
sure to do the PT.

Fourth, just as 460 said, my injuries still hurt,
sucks to be 36 and have two arthritic knees.

Fifth, eventually you will want to get all of the
metal removed to reduce the pain from activity
and also God forbid you ever get banged up again
it will help prevent some crazy serious injuries!!

I opened the attachments expecting to see a picture of Hank. (j/k)

It looks like those stash bags have been getting a lot of use supporting broken bones...that's exactly what I last used mine for. Same foot too.

Hi Jackie, it's James. Damn it looks like that shit f-ing hurts
Hope you heal well and fast. love ya, talk to you soon.