whoa boys
This post is directed to new jumpers who think they're the bomb and want to stay alive to have future fun. After all, you do want to be in one piece and stay alive right? I think if you're one of these rapidly progressing jumpers - meaning you feel fine about your skills even though you have less than several hundred parachute jumps and less than 10-20 objects YOU assessed and jumped safely... then the lesson to learn from jumpers like illwreckyourbox (http://www.basejumper.com/..._reply;so=ASC;mh=25;) is to have fun WHILE taking it stepwise and smart.
If you know you want to jump a 220' antenna and you've you've just been jumping potato bridge and skydives, take your time making that transition. Take it easy, it's still just as fun to huck a 350' object! There's nothing wrong with jumping from 400' and working your way down over 10-20 jumps or what ever you're feeling good about.
When I was starting I took Marta's advice: "only change one thing at a time". It's sort of like science trying to control variables.
You don't want to find yourself jumping new gear from a new object and a different altitude, landing area, group of people and try to huck an aerial you've never mastered before. I think we all agree that's a recipe for pain or death. Just do one thing different from the circumstances where you feel your comfy starting point is. I don't think it's as much a mater of the exact config of that circumstance; for instance, it's going to be much different for a european jumper.
When I was starting (~600 skydives and 40 Potatoes), the closest A to my house helped me expand my skillset. Jumped it at least once or twice a week to become familiar with site specifics, gear, weather etc. Once I had other objects like B's and E's with similar configurations (gear, conditions, landing areas, altitude etc.) and I found myself feeling confident enough for lower objects... then I started using that A to work my way down. I just climbed 30-20-10-5 feet less from the last jumps that were going well for me. I20 jumps or so. I got to know that landing area like it was my best friend and get a feel for it on different nights, winds etc. It was my comfy local spot for drills. Once I was nailing a config well there I would feel safe to transfer to a new site or situation.
It seems like beginners these days aren't getting the same mentoring we had 8-10 years ago. Maybe the sport just grew too much. I think the online forums are an asset though, spend as much time reading about other's mistakes as possible and learn as much about fluid dynamics and rigging as possible. Don't ever forget to INSPECT your gear completely before packing for EVERY jump. If your pilot chute's mainline broke during your last PCA, you'll die if you don't note that before your free fall! There's countless check points to note, but find a good mentor who's got rigging skills and have them help you be thorough.
Last time I was at the bridge I watched an older jumper climb inside his cells one by one and do a full gear inspection that took the same time it took for me to pack, jump and return. It's not just about the gear fear demons, it's that you don't have a chance if you miss a vital point.
I don't see today's newbies even knowing what to look for in a mis-rigging or funky fluke failure - much less doing it between their unpacked jumps and socializing. This is not intended to offend, just keep you alive and having fun.
I am serious and truthful in stating that this is my first ever soapbox internet or not. That's how strongly I feel your mentors are failing you!
Sum1Sneaky
Colorado
PS... experienced jumpers: Can we turn this into a post of our trauma stories, trauma video, x-ray contest, wheel chairs, etc.? What pearls do you hear in your head when you're packing, climbing, assessing etc.?
Another Marta pearl that I sometimes hear in my head: "Always jump with a plan"... If you can't visualize exactly what the different outcomes will look and feel like and have a sound plan for saving yourself from those variables... don't jump.
