Basejumper.com - archive

First of all, hi to everybody, this is my first post on these forums. I've been lurking around for a while behind the scenes reading the articles and various posts soaking up very helpful advice and information from a lot of you. After digesting what I've read over time (though obviously I've not read everything, and I'm not a fountain of knowledge), and after re-assessing my skydiving skillset, I have firmly decided to continue to pursue BASE jumping.

Now is the time for me to make a plan of how I'm going to make a start in this sport, and I would appreciate any advice and/or constructive criticism from experienced jumpers. Before I carry on however I think it is sensible to tell you all a bit of background information:

I am already a skydiver with just over 220 jumps completed within a year and 1 month at the time of this post. I am happy with the standard of my skydiving skillset, currency and canopy control though I don't claim these to be perfect and realise there are always improvements to be made. I DO intend to complete at least another 100 skydives before I am ready for BASE, and will execute these with BASE in mind.

So with that aside, here is my current plan of attack:

1) Research BASE gear, ask advice on rigs from jumpers and manufacturers, and when happy make an informed decision on buying a full rig.

2) Source a suitable used skydiving container that will allow me to legally jump the BASE canopy in a "safe" environment and complete extensive canopy drills at my local DZ.

3) Whilst still conducting canopy drills in the sky actively search for a mentor and research European FJC's in detail, contacting them directly for information.

4) When my BASE canopy skills are up to scratch and I have hopefully found a mentor, set about booking on to the FJC that will meet my needs best.

5) With mentor: take baby steps as advised and slowly progress.
Without mentor: Research what further courses are available and safe for me to attend whilst still seeking mentorship.

As I said, any advice, amendments or general comments on this plan from experienced jumpers would be greatly appreciated. I want to give myself the best possible start, and the least possible chance of becoming a corpse! Thanks in advance.

Maybe You should start by writing that all again in the uk base forum!!! that way you may meet people in your own area...

I know there are 3 people that run a brilliant base course and are from the uk....

when your ready that is

By the UK base forum I presume you mean www.basejumper.org ? I've not registered with them yet as up until now I've simply been using the wealth of resources this site offers, but yes I will post on there too shortly.

As for my initial post and plan do you have any advice? Would you change my approach at all?

Thanks for the help!

You should watch a rigger pack a reserve, it's very similar to a BASE until it starts getting to the point of the S-fold.

Have 7 cell canopy experience, since they do fly/flare differently than a traditional skydiving canopy. Also have Canopy Relative Work (CRW) experience.

Practice flat turns too. Recommended armor is at least a helmet and boots at the minimum and knee pads are really optional. Finally, talk to other BASE jumpers at your local DZ. Ask their opinion if they feel you are ready to move on and get recommended by a BASE jumper with more than 200 BASE jumps.

Not to you Dave, but you put up some valid points. I can only add that one should have the skills of a rigger before BASE or Skyjumping for that matter.
take care,
space

Exactly, be Packer B rated and good with flat packing. However, a Packer A rating is better because of basic rigging knowledge and precision packing is very important in BASE.

Also, you should practice using a 7 cell canopy at night, since BASE jumps are made sometimes at night and landing areas are not always lit that well.

Be good on different approaches (full drive, tight key hole, half brake, deep brake). And demonstrate the ability to turn your canopy immediately with rear risers to avoid an object strike

though night jumps are cool, i havebt done one since i came to Europe. where one has freedom. I am giving crap to the United Police States of America. Also,
Toggles are a viable option.
Take care, and keep up the good work.
Space.

Edited for adding a photo.
Photo by John Vincent, Location: New Orleans. Object, Mississippi River Gondola. Alt:300ish ft. year: 1990 me thinks.

Cheers guys, I already jump a 7 cell Storm 150 and am happy with how it handles and flares. I don't currently have experience flat packing (just pro-pack) or in CRW but I should be able to sort that out fairly easily. I expect getting a rigging rating will be more difficult but I will look into this also as I appreciate the importance of these skills.

Dude, night jumps are awesome. Even from legal objects. You should totally go make a night jump and get in touch with your long lost BASE heritage.

And make sure to put a "L" on your left toggle and an "R" on the right.

you mean that people make jumps in DAYLIGHT??? (except of course perrine)

Actually, night jumps at the Perrine are special.
I had to say that...

A real night jump goes like this. (Already on top of A)

Jumper 1: how high is this?
Jumper 2: about 240ft, i lazered it from that boundary fence over there.

Jumper 1: fuck.

Jumper 1: where's the lz?
Jumper 2: over there, you'll see it when you get lower.

Jumper 1: fuck

Jumper 2: you first?
Jumper 1: *sigh, sure.

i almost died at the perrine on a night jump. 2am, ripped shitcan hammered, it wasnt the jump itself it was the fact that i couldnt walk a straight line and kept almost falling into the river where i would have drowned........no more mixing alcohol with jumps. =)

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Nice! I hate you again. Come see me. I need to get to that level again.
take care,
space

Just as a bit of an update for anyone interested I'm now looking to get my reserve packing rating and to get onto a CRW course asap. Cheers for the help again including those who've taken the time to PM, you know who you are.

Oh and extra special thanks for the tip about wearing a superman onesie and drinking before jumping so's I don't die, cheers RayLosli

You should really practice toggle turns as well. Most(most)BASE jumps are low and riser turns are going to eat up altitude, and might make it difficult reaching the LZ with the loss of altitude.

CRW!!!