Basejumper.com - archive

http://calgaryherald.com/...injured-near-nordegg


Looks like impact right at the top of the talus so didn't get far from the face.

according to a posting on fb, the victim made a 'small' packing error in that he wrapped the steering lines around each other, so when he released the brakes and attempted to turn one way in order to correct a slight off-heading opening, the canopy turned the wrong way into the cliff...

maybe no LRM is the way to go for all
ive seen so many people pop toggles and cross them as well, never seen a line over that did not clear instantly

This would not happen if everyone would just stow their brake toggles BEFORE they do their line check. Never understood why someone would stow the toggles after flaking the canopy and lying it down.

Or maybe just taking care when packing your parachute?

Why would you stow the brakes prior to checking if the lines were clear?

That would mean that if they were not clear, you have to undo and redo.

It is wise to check the lines are clear prior to packing. Stow them upon landing if time allows, then before packing check that they are, clear and stowed properly and untwisted. Then confirm this several times during the pack job.

I never stow my brakes on landing for just this reason. I stow the brakes after laying down the canopy and just before flaking the tail. I also agree that untwisting the break lines is something that should be done every single jump. I honestly have no clue how you could pack a base canopy properly and not know the orientation of your brakes, yet I now know 4 specific cases that this has happened. The other three jumpers all stow there brakes on landing and did not recheck them while packing. Two were fine, one turned himself into a wall similar to this and broke his arm, and this obviously sounds much worse. Anyone have an update on condition of the jumper?

I allways stow my brakes after landing. Because, if you don't the steering lines get mingled around the other lines in the stash bag (I only speak of SD of course). I do not set the brakes.
Then, before packing, untwist the lines, set the brakes and pack. Then, on putting the tailgate, do a 4 line check.
I can not imagine crossing the steering lines like this.

I guess stowing vs setting depends on your choice of words. I think we are basically saying the same thing. I always adhere the toggles back on the velcro, but never actually set the break setting until im packing. The people I know who messed up actually set their breaks directly after landing.

We say the same then.

But if you manage to put your toggles vice versa right after landing, well, then you are doomed anyway

Yep, toggles on Velcro immediately after landing, check line continuity prior to stowing. Pretty common sense stuff people...

Sounds like Darwinism is in BASE also?

But some people are just not detail oriented enough.

SKY jumping we caught a guy with a misrouted chest
strap on the plane maybe 3 minutes before jump run.

BASE jumping I have personally caught two jumpers
with bridles routed through a legstrap, and one guy
who had toggles marked L and R but had attached
them R and L, later he set the brakes and started
packing with them configured that way.

I am sure we can agree that the most critical parts of the pack job and gear configuration should be confirmed and re-checked many times during the pack job.

Those are:

system attached properly (PC to bridle, bridle to canopy, canopy to risers, riser to container)
lines clear
brakes stowed properly
slider up or down
bridle routed properly when PC is stowed

From there you can mess it up pretty well and get away with a lot.

sloppy pack jobs tend to work.
sloppy rigging does not tend to work.

Great post, and well said!

You are a smart guy for a skier!

Maybe no BASE is the way to go for all (that cant figure out the LRM). I had a non clearing LO slider down.´, that was cleared with the LORM back in the late `80s so this is my pref. Hook knife is a way also if you can do it.
If one keeps orientation between front/back and L/R while walking the lines, it should be clear in sight (when it is not clear).
I question the source of the way they learned to pack.
Take care,
space

Im sure you did and I agree base is not for everybody, but Im sure you pack differently now and use a tailgate of some sort.
I stopped using the lrm three or four hundred jumps ago
yes if you don't catch crossed toggles during pacing you are a retard

When I teach someone how to pack, I always include the stories of people fucking each part up and the consequences. This is the level of seriousness you need to take packing a rigging in this sport.

If you attach your bridle or shrivel flap incorrectly or not at all, you will die, it has happened. If you tie something around your pilot chute while packing for god knows what reason and fail to remove it, you will die, it has happened. If you use clamps in the packing of your canopy and leave them on and jump, you may be seriously injured or die, it has happened. If you cross your brake lines while packing...

(Im going to leave out the example of if you fail to attach a pilot chute and go and do a wingsuit jump, as that seemed to work out ok ;) Love you Jimmy)