Basejumper.com - archive

Another nice'n'fresh tension knot video for your entertainment and analysis:

http://www.youtube.com/v/64l32zKaLYo

How is this a tension knot?

Pause the frame @ 1:05 and the cascades are clean, slider is down to the links, all cells are inflated, line stretch.

There is something different with the inflation of the cell on the far R. but the lines are not in knots, nor twisted.

Jumper stated that he observed the knot once he was on the ground and canopy on the tree: http://www.skycentre.net/....php?showtopic=10357

The knot cleared when he removed the canopy from the tree (once tension was released).

Also, jumper stated that after pulling on the right steering line it wouldn't come back up (meaning it's tied down to another line up high) - you can clearly see that on video. There's also a flicker of a loose white line up high on the right side (also meaning it's tied to another one).

The 'knot' is not visible in this video.

If you compare the lines extending from the left rear riser and right rear riser you will immediately notice that on the right side the lines are all in one bunch, where as on the left they are nicely cascaded upwards from the connector link.

It is quite impossible to state with certainty what causes the lines to be in one bunch like that, but a tension knot is a likely culprit. Especially with the disappearance of it once the magic word 'bulliatz' is called :)

/AV

The back of the canopy isn't in frame so you can't actually see the knot, but compare the lines coming from the left rear and right rear riser. The lines to the left rear are splaying out from the links to where they should be, the lines from the right rear are all going straight up together to where the knot is. You can also clearly see this at 1:03, where you can see a slightly loose line trapped under the knot as well.



(Unbelievably lucky placement for it to put him down just between those rocks!)

1:22

I do not know nor speak the jumper's language
but I know exactly what he felt at that moment.

Any information on packing methodology? Was the tail pocket locking stow used?

Was he injured at all? It looks like he really lucked out on where he landed.

I shit myself whatching that video! Thats why I pack a dinner and bring a sleeping bag when I pack, I don't care what kinda jump it is. If he hit one of those small boulders, somebody back East is gonna wonder why he don't write home anymore!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z26jrvFfTWI

Watching the first vid made me think of how it's so much better to err on the higher side of pulling and the second vid confirms the benefits of not pulling low. I bet those tension knots could have been cleared if the jumper had more working time under canopy. Great videos though!!! Most entertaining things on here in a while!

what canopy is that? do the steering lines cascade to 4 or 5 lines?

Is that Mr.Bean at the beginning of the video?