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General BASE

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Question about helmets
I just have a general question as a skydiver about BASE wingsuit helmet and goggle choice. I've noticed that the preferred choice for wingsuit BASE is an open face and ski goggles, but the same jumpers when skydiving, use skydiving helmets, sometimes full face, and sometimes open face with skydiving goggles (Sorz, Kroops, etc).

So, why are open face and ski goggles preferred for BASE, and why not just use the same thing in the sky? In my experience, seeing ski goggles on a plane is incredibly rare, even at a DZ with a healthy population of wingsuit BASE jumpers.

The reason I ask is that I'm somewhat offended by being asked the shell out $400 for a full face helmet for skydiving and would consider moving to the open face with goggles option if there isn't something that makes skydiving with it a hassle.

Thanks.
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Re: [Anachronist] Question about helmets
How can you be a shithot skydiver without a 400$ tupperware on your head that isnt even color-coordinated? That's the question you should ask!
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Re: [Anachronist] Question about helmets
Anachronist wrote:
So, why are open face and ski goggles preferred for BASE, and why not just use the same thing in the sky?

1. An open face and ski goggles are terrible for freeflying.
2. My BASE helmet doesn't have an audible pocket.
3. A proper ski/bike open face helmet will actually provide protection in the case of a hard landing or object strike. This is less useful in skydiving.

Anachronist wrote:
In my experience, seeing ski goggles on a plane is incredibly rare, even at a DZ with a healthy population of wingsuit BASE jumpers.

I see them all the time.

Anachronist wrote:
...would consider moving to the open face with goggles option if there isn't something that makes skydiving with it a hassle.

If all you do is wingsuit it's a good option.
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Re: [bluhdow] Question about helmets
bluhdow wrote:
1. An open face and ski goggles are terrible for freeflying.

Ski googles yes but if you choose a low profile open face ski helmet which has no ventilation holes on the shell, that will work fine in freeflying as well. I would go for normal skydiving goggles though to prevent air from leaking in for example in HU.

bluhdow wrote:
2. My BASE helmet doesn't have an audible pocket.

It is ridiculously easy to modify a place for audible to pretty much any ski/snowboard/skateboard helmet. Granted, it is not there out of the box but putting one there is very very easy.
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Re: [Anachronist] Question about helmets
I thought it was only formation sky jumpers who use full face helmets because they are all gay .
you only need a full face helmet for slider down
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Re: [BASE1817] Question about helmets
BASE1817 wrote:
How can you be a shithot skydiver without a 400$ tupperware on your head that isnt even color-coordinated? That's the question you should ask!

Hahaha, I'll never be a cool kid, all my stuff is used and none of it matches. Laugh

Yeah, mostly wingsuit here, I can see where it would be no bueno for freeflying. I'll look into into snowboarding/ski stuff (agree about the audible pocket, very easy to make a spot). Thanks
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Re: [Anachronist] Question about helmets
I always skydive with ski goggles and the people around Georgia tell me I look ridiculous (for a lot of reasons). However, I don't free fly so that's never really been a concern for me.
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Re: Question about helmets
I have successfully used ductape to modify any aspect of how much and where air should enter the goggles. Its not a bad idea to have some ventilation, it stops fogging.

I feel like a valid reason to not use ski goggles on skydives is that the lower edge of the goggles blocks some of the view downwards towards your reserve handles. How much varies from model to model, but none can match the basic beginner skydiving goggles when it comes to field of view, I think they are working great.

This makes no difference on basejumps. And if you are a skygod and know your shit while skydiving, you probably dont need to see the handles anyway. But for people like myself who always forget which handle does what, I like to be able to see which cable is made of metal and which is made of that yellow stuff.

I would also like to add that skydiving helmets sucks and offers very shitty protection from any real head injury.

The Cookie composites warning labels says it quite clear:
cookie_warning_label wrote:
These products are not designed to Reduce risk or increase safety for the user. This product offers the wearer NO protection against injury or death.
. Yet a lot of skydiving associations insists on people using these moronic 400 dollar camera holders.
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Goggles & Handles
When SKY jumping I use the basic $12 goggles.
Grateful Fredz or Flex-vision brand names, they
come in clear, green, smoke, and other colors.

BASE jumping slider-down I wear shades from
Harbor Freight, only cost $2, they come in clear
and in dark, benefit is they protect your eyes
from branches in case you land in a tree.

Slider-UP BASE jumping I usually go sans eye cover
and once my eyes are watering I know it's pull time.

As for your handles, hopefully you are joking Smile
If not, then please spend two minutes ever day in
your rig at home practicing, because when the day
comes you will want your E.P.s to be automatic.
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