Basejumper.com - archive

FYI - Low as in handheld and no slider.

Sure the exact height, the landing area,
over hung, conditions, and so on are all
very import variables also...

In another thread an experienced jumper
stressed the potential risks involved so I
am curious about the general thoughts.

What do you consider a "low" earth jump?

if its higher than the one just outside of Perris than its not low.

Bryan

IMO no one should go hand-held for their first jump.

Stowed is the way to do it.

...and naked

and liquored up on agave tequila and xanax bars

agreed. who would intentionally jump with a horseshoe malfunction.

Ody

Good Morning Elliot & Matt,

Can you please explain?

Or is this a joke I am missing.

As for the tequilla, see attached.

PCA is the only way (for first jumps)...

As for low Earths, I stressed the need of having fine tuned brake settings and body armor for such jumps to one of the jumpers on the recent fatality load. I don't really think you need POS skydiving helmets for such jumps either. If you do low earth jumps often enough you will hit the cliff at some point, might as well have the protection.

As for going stowed that low, in my opinion you just look like an idiot newbie jumper. I used to do it all the time and then I saw some video that made me rethink it. If you have a ZP pilot chute that inflates off axis coupled with a minor off heading from packing or body position you could find your self with a 180. That's not even considering the minor hesitations that can turn into serious events.

right on Justin. all kidding aside, that is my belief as well.

just so I have it straight:

1) Body Armor
2) Good Helmet
3) Brakes Set Properly
4) PCA - 1st Jump
5) Handheld - Subsequent Jumps

Okay, and in addition to those of
course solid exits, neat packing,
and strong canopy skills.

And if you haven't already... work on making sure that your exit is bombproof. You want to be as far as possible from what you have just jumped off of.

Is this a place where a running exit is possible? If so, then take advantage of that. If not, then at least try to take one hard step before pushing off.

Be confident that you can push off hard without making yourself unstable. If you can't do that, then go find some other object to practice from (ie: Twin Falls or an antenna with a good platform, or a gym, etc).

Some people are able to explode off without thinking, and I've seen others who tend to just step off. If you are the latter, really work on changing that. Having those few extra feet might be all you need to turn it around in the event of a 180.

There are also a ton of other factors to consider... What is the LZ like?, what are the outs like?, is the talus something you can land on (without injury) if necessary?, is the exit point clean or is it covered in shit you might slip on? etc, etc.

it was a joke on my end.

but seriously,

individual basis, skill dependent like everything in BASE should be.

Cool man, thanks for the pointers!!

What Matt says is key. (one of many but an important one)

Push off like a kangaroo. If you're a bridge jumper that basically drops off, stop doing that unless you're only going to jump something you can't hit.

A 1/2 second delay with a 180 to follow is exciting enough already.

Thanks, I'll practice kangaroo
style exits at the Perrine in May.

Anytime I jump my collection of
Freestanders I always run off
of them for extra clearance,
plus I did the feeling/rush.

Only time I drop off an exit
is when I am static lining on
something slightly overhung.

And concentrate very hard on a bilateral launch.

Watch your own videos and look at your pictures...I bet you launch with one leg. We ALL do. Or at least 90% of us. I'm a left-launcher. It's the brain's way of "finessing" your exit. All fine and dandy, but from a sketchy object where you're pitching quickly...your autogyro might not have your shoulders centered back from the one-legger - and your deployment may lose symmetry. Fail.

Try try try to launch with both legs evenly pushing if poised...if you're running - it's moot.

My profile pic...under 25 jumps, I opened it as far as I know, and I free fell it. But I'm just that crazy...or stupid!? Hmm...But I wouldn't recomend that, looking back it was probably the dumbest jump I ever did, I got lucky.

Agreed.

I agree Ditto that,

Chris you were lucky.

Fun cliff none the less

Hmm...you got room to talk!!!But like you said...fun jump none the less!!!

This is not condescending, but there is a difference between my skill level and decision making processes based on said skill level and yours.

Every jump we all walk away from is at least a tiny bit luck. I made my decision to freefall that same cliff at a later date base on my thought processes.

Some things in life only come with experience. There can only be so many "naturally skilled" base jumpers. We all cannot be the top 10%... Let alone the top 1%.

You jumping that rock was a lot of luck vs. myself or other experienced jumpers who can base our decision to jump off of our experiences and thereby use a lot less of our "luck bucket."

Respectfully,

Le Roy

I only agree with this in theory... If your comfortable launching with one foot back, go with that. you are more likely to be relaxed and balanced if you are comfortable.
If you not used to a launching with both legs and not comfortable your more likely to have other exit issues even if your shoulders are square.