Basejumper.com - archive

Hey all,

Read the great BASE book in an attempt to learn as much about this wonderful sport as possible, with a burning desire to get into the sport.

I have the reqd amount of skydives and have only trained on large canopies..... having read the book and seeing the risks layed out in black and white... I have decided that BASE is not for me!

Anyone who hasn't read the book, should.... its the best book I have ever had the pleasure of reading!

One Love

Let me guess, your not a big fan of literature ;)

Ha ha on the contrary... Perhaps I placed it in the wrong context. I shall re phrase; The Great Book of BASE is the best book on BASE jumping that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Thank-You Mattt Gerdes for such an insightful book on our favourite subject

Yeah probably, if your mindset and aproach towards it is "if I start base-jumping its going to kill me anyway" Its a good thing to be aware and understand of the dangers and risks of jumping, but base isn't certain death

The risks involved in BASE are very large, and very real.

If you aren't certain that the rewards are worth the risks for you, in your life, then deciding not to participate is definitely the right choice.

I frequently see people who try to ignore or dismiss the risks as they start, and then only come to accept them later, after something (usually something quite bad) happens.

If your life every changes such that BASE is an acceptable risk, it will still be here (and likely the gear and technique will have improved the safety margin a bit in the meantime).

Good on you for having the intelligence to properly evaluate the risks and come to a decision that fits your life.

This thread should be sticky.

so I guess your 30 jumps are skydives

no I have 250 skydives, havent updated my profile of late as I don't frequent this part of the internet very often. I find this forum to be uninspiring for newbies and proves how Egofied your sport has become; Buildings, Antenna, Span, Earth? Please!

Big, Apathetic, Self-Conscious, Ego's more like.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I feel having a community online to share experiences, ideas, strengths, and a band of brothers pioneering a relatively new past time to be of sound nature.

Unfortunately

This forum has become a slagging match of Ego's, its only in the past few years this has happened mind. I remember reading inspirational, even spiritual stories of BASE which for me captured the true essence of the sport. To go beyond the Void, to visit the eternal.

Im off, I wish any beginner the best of success and any veteran of the sport the highest of respect.

Oh and to any beginner obsessing about what gear he/ she purchases as the prime reason for getting into BASE... don't worry. There are more pressing and honest evaluations for you to consider!

One Love

Can I have your stuff? Seriously though, good on you for doing an honest assessment and being able to step away.

I think your assessment of BASE jumping/jumpers is skewed though. This is the internet there are always going to be ego's. If you are unfamiliar with John Gabriels Internet theory, here you go

As time goes on priorities change, it's the way of the world.

I commend you on your sound judgement and your honesty. Ironically, the sport needs more like you.

Are you saying that in the since that this sport needs less jumpers?

True, there are lots of egos on here. There are also just as many jumpers with egos that aren't on here. I've survived this long by living with one rule, there is a time and place for everything. I jump with three rules, I can't remember where I heard this, but I heard it at the beginning of my career. Rule no.1- Err on the side of caution. Rule no.2- jump below your limits. Rule no.3- don't jump with anyone who doesn't follow these rules.

Egos can kill you. If I see someone jumping something that I know I shouldn't, and their ego comes out, I just let it go. When I see Jeb flying off some beautiful rock and fly around kicking balloons and flying thru some hole in a rock, I don't feel the need to repeat it, nor do I feel the need to follow some egotistical bastard off something local.

I know doctors with egos, lawyers, boaters, climbers, my boss, lots of people have egos. You just have to put yourself in a place that is better than they are with their egos.

Jumping is very individual, so individual that it is selfish. Outside of family and loved ones, that selfishness can save your life if you understand it. It can be a good thing (outside of family and loved ones). They may not agree. You just need to jump for yourself. Who the fuck cares what everybody else is doing? Is it going to keep you alive or make you safe by letting people with egos get to you? NO. Will those jumpers with egos make it to a thousand BASE jumps? Maybe. Maybe not. Bupt who cares? Will you being all safe and responsible keep you from going in on your next jump and feeding those egos even more? Maybe. Maybe not.

My point is, good for you deciding not to jump. I don't quiet get busting the ego balls though. This isn't the only place where egos are found. As a matter of fact, I am at work right now, I'm at a big church on the 'rich' side of town doing some techy stuff, and I have never seen so many egotistical people in my life. Doesn't want me to give up religion, I just laugh at them and their false since of security.

Peace.

I hope this was inspirational to you....

Yes, it is a good book, especially page 43

Yes, BASE is very dangerous and quite often the
best choice is simply not to jump, I have already
quit once, so has Avenfoto, and many others...

Regarding egos, I've been around many many BASE jumpers and they typically make me feel more comfortable and are friendlier than most people I meet at the drop zone.

My wife can actually tolerate BASE jumpers
more than SKY jumpers because the latter
are usually loud, extreme, rad, and always
busy trying to recruit someone to SKYDIVE.

I think that rule disqualifies almost every base jump...

Ok.

However, How many jumpers would be alive today if they had erred to caution? I understand and can appreciate the lessons learned from previous fatalities. After reading the BFL(several times) I find myself saying "Don't be that guy". I personally think that in this sport, some lessons can't be learned until something bad happens, especially in the early years of BASE.

With knowledge comes common since.

If its too windy, don't jump-11 fatalities. If you don't have the proper gear, change it-23 fatalities from skydiving gear. If there isn't a rescue boat available don't jump yet-BD'83. If you didn't get a gear check, get one-6 fatalities from gear set up wrong, 3 from pull up cords left in place. Why take it too low? 23 fatalities there!

This time back in 1988, I was standing on my balcony at a hotel in Myrtle Beach with some friends and we all were commenting on how strong the winds were. We walked outside heading for the beach and I heard something and looked up and saw a guy with a parachute come flying by and crashed. At the time I didn't know he had died. The crowd had gathered and soon the police and firetrucks and ambulances were there. I got a glimps of him laying there as we walked by. The winds were inflating his canopy and it was total chaos at the scene. At the time I thought that guy was an idiot for trying to jump off a building with a parachute, I also felt sorry for the guy, it was sad, I'm sure some of you on here can understand that. I have been at an exit point and walked away because of the winds.On the way down I thought about about that guy, his name is Marlen Buford BFL #17. I don't want to be that guy.

Be safe!

+1 =) Live to jump another night.

Nicely put, I'll remember these words.... and for the others newbies, take note!

I don't get it...?

Holly sh1t, a Rainbow Mained Unicorn!

Made my week.

Mate I think you have your wires crossed! The most egotistical fuckwits ive met have been at the dz not on late night ''A'' n ''B'' missions. All the real BASE junkies Ive met have become really good mates that I would trust my life with and have little to no ego at all. At the end of the day the decision is yours, but dont slag off the whole BASE comunity because of a minority group that think their awesome for doing it.

Cheers

What game is that?!?!?

I NEED IT!!!

Google is your friend.

Really? How old are this wind drifters?