Re: [base283] KL close calls 2010
Talking this through with the jumper, a very good friend of mine, I have the following comments and points. I have highlighted some of the sense in your rant in bold.
Post it as an example of what not to do Younguns could learn It was a dangerous and lucky close call. No doubt about that and no excuses - the rider feels like a schmuck for their part in the jump. But for all its stupidity there were some take home messages that are worth sharing with those of you who have an open mind and who may feel like discussing what actually transpired. For one, the rider involved will certainly never do that particular kind of jump again. A small lesson, but one worth sharing. WS base is dangerous enough, subterminal jumps with the corresponding lack of control and time to fix a situation, doubly so and downright stupid.
To understand why the second jump happened, first realise that there were a series of jumps that make up this whole story. The rider had spent a hell of a lot of time watching other jumpers to see how they exit, fly and land. They watched the WSr do a series of jumps that went very well and also asked them about their WS experience. Obviously a day or two of watching isn't enough to learn all you need to. The 1st mistake is not asking for references for another jumper to confirm comments. Do you do that with every jumper you meet?
The first jump the two did together was a successful WS rodeo. The two jumpers talked it through, dirt-dived the exit making sure exit timing was matched, talked through scenarios such as unstable exit and head down exit as well as controls for these - not throwing the WSr back towards a freefall tower strike. The controls haven't been tested so they won't be discussed here. Both jumpers had done several WS rodeos from planes. The rider had been both rider and passenger several times. The jump was discussed with event organisers and as neither of the jumper had done anything stupid that the organisers had seen, they had no reason to think they were about to on this jump.
The first jump went according to plan. A stable student WS exit that separated safely with plenty of height. Right after the jump there were suddenly heaps of other 'volunteers' that were eager to jump on the 2nd try, some were talking about adding additional complexity to the jump, e.g. late exit so they could surf the wingsuit, adding another WS/rider combination to make 2-way rodeos. To Tom's credit, he stuck with what he knew and wanted to try to improve it in small increments. He has obviously learnt something from the experiences of his earlier jumps.
Because it worked, the footage of the first jump wasn't posted. Its not my footage so I'm not going to post what I have.
People didn't ask too many questions, the pair had obviously demonstrated that they could pull the jump off safely at least once, and they were not adding anything to it for the 2nd jump.
The 2nd jump going as shit as it did was probably a good thing. As soon as the 2nd jump went to shit, the volunteers dried up. A plus for what its worth. Seeing the WSr and rider slammed may also deter others from repeating it. Probably won't though.
The reason the rider slagged the WSr. Because they had a more head down exit on the 2nd jump. The rider left slightly later, and according to plan the WSr extended his leg wing earlier to get the jump flying faster. The rider should have pitched pretty much as soon this happened, but because a more head down exit was anticipated, the severity of the situation wasn't realised as soon as it was meant to.
Explain why the rider slagged the WSr and had an off heading due to asymmetric PC.
With both WS and rider head down, there was no burble to pull the rider onto the WSr's back. When the WS did start levelling off, the rider slammed into the WSr causing both to lose control.
Asymmetric PC was probably a lesser part of the off heading, the unstable deployment meant the rider wasn't stable during deployment, uneven levels of each shoulder is what the rider attributes the off heading to.
The WSr was obviously surprised by the sudden head high attitude immediately before deployment and delayed pitching to stable. Luckily not snagging the trees or zipline on the road.
An example of what not not to do. I'm guessing you mean 'An example of what not to do'. Your double negatives are confusing and don't add anything to the discussion of how to prevent shit like this from happening.
The only reason I'm writing this response to the emotional posts on this board about so far, is that I hope others aren't dumb enough to repeat it. And for those dumb enough to consider it,maybe for them to take home some of the lessons.
Just because one is an idiot youtube poster, does not not mean that should not post idiocy. ??? What do you mean by this? People should post idiocy because they are idiot youtube posters? For me it means 'don't do things that people may see and post on youtube.' I don't even jump with a camera any more. I jump for me and to share the moments I have with my friends.
I bet I will be older than you when we meet on the other side. Seriously possible, but if life was a game of who cam live the longest, then we would all be living in cotton wool eating fibre for every meal and exercising because it made us healthy not because it got us laid. Years spent, or value drawn from the time one has? Mate, I seriously hope you live to a ripe old age and that you live every moment to its fullest. Maybe one day we could share a cold beer and talk about dumb shit we've done and got away with.
To the rest of you whinging b!tc#e$. Rather than whining, bullying and generally trying to tear down other jumpers because it makes you feel bigger, maybe you should consider trying to find a way to help them become the kind of jumpers you'd like to spend time with. Slamming them is the easy option and shows a complete lack of brains and understanding of why people jump and the fact that even new jumpers are part of our small tribe. Please work out how to get people to see where they need to change without you having to be a (un#. It'll make all of us enjoy our jumping a whole lot more.
