Basejumper.com - archive

I want to personally thank Jason Bell and Tom Aiello for having the courage and wisdom to contact me. I know it was hard for each of them to do because we seemingly were at great odds. Jason contacted me last night and Tom and I talked this evening.

I am sure that most of you know that my son, Brian, was killed at the Perrine on June 15th, 2002 when his pilot chute failed to inflate. It has been an extremely difficult 16 months for our family. We have all been through the many stages of loss and grieving and have not even come close to being able to move on as some of you have suggested.

I have primarily been the spokesperson for the family; but you need to know that we are all in agreement on what we want and how to proceed.

I have on several occasions posted on the BASE Board and had hoped that we would be able to find a sense of healing if the readers of the post would just allow us to do so. That is not your fault, it is ours for thinking that such a thing would work. The issues are so emotionally charged that it was impossible for us to achieve such healing.

We have had our ups and downs; but none of us have felt good about how Brian's death was viewed and accepted in your community. Again, that is perhaps due to our differences in the perception of this sport.

Contrary to what some people were trying to accomplish with their negative comments to me and my family, you actually pushed certain buttons that made me want to lash out and hurt the BASE jumping community. That is not what I wanted to do from the beginning. I shared with all of you what I wanted and that is for Brian's death to have had some meaning.

To that end, Jason and now Tom have agreed to help me and my family achieve our goal of bringing meaning to Brian's death. We have all agreed that it is ok to disagree; but we have agreed in concept that we will accomplish a goal that will be mutually beneficial to my family, give Brian some recognition, and possibly improve safety for the BASE jumping community while retaining the ability to jump at the Perrine.

I explained to both Jason and Tom, that if the BASE jumping community will work with me, I pledge that I will work with them. But, I also explained that negative comments just tend to add to my hurt and anger and are counterproductive for all concerned. You need to appreciate that I lost my son - that is something that you will never understand unless it happens to you. I will do whatever I think is morally right to accomplish my goals and it appears that at least these 2 BASE jumpers agree that something can be done to enhance the safety of BASE jumpers at the Perrine and ultimately save a life.

Some could argue that any regulation is bad. That is not currently up for debate. It is now up to us to exact a plan that elicits approval of the City of Twin Falls while giving great deference to the BASE jumper. Rest assured, BASE jumpers will have significant influence in any regulation imposed.

I will close for now and also ask for your cooperation as well. Time has come for something to happen - will you be a part of the solution or a part of the problem? I think given the fact that you will be fully represented by your respected peers, I can only hope you will be a part of the solution.

Thank you for reading this post and once again thanks to Jason and Tom.

Sincerely,


Wayne Stout

 

I think Wayne is envisioning more of a Stavanger BASE Klubb style system. Jumpers write the pamphlet, jumpers distribute it via Don. The city of Twin Falls signs off on it, but isn't really part of the operation of the system.

I don't think it would be very intrusive, and I doubt it will be a problem. Since it won't require any kind of enforcement from local law enforcement, they won't be bothered any more than they are now, and won't want to shut down the bridge as an alternative.

As I said, the best model is probably the Stavanger BASE Klubb.

hey tom, Im unfamiliar with the stavanger BASE klubb, can you explain a bit about how it operates? Kinda like a resident BASE mentor at the perrine who could watch out for beginners/hand out information to those who are wanting it? Sounds like a great idea.

This sounds like a great idea. I agree with Tree that liability is bad and so are encroaching governmental oversight. But I don't agree that a well-designed informational campaign is necessarily going that direction.

If the goal is lots and lots of base jumping at the Perrine with independence and individuality yet minimum bad outcomes, I can think of lots of ways to move forward and improve the situation. Organization is not always synonymous with oppression. In this case it might PREVENT oppression.

This sounds like a positive outcome to me.

Stavanger BASE Klubb? Please elborate for us newbies.

Ganja

I'll elaborate more fully later, but for now:

The Stavanger BASE Klubb is the group of jumpers who organized to help provide training and instruction, and prevent accidents, at the terminal wall in Southern Norway, which has seen more jumps than any other object in the world (with the possible exception of the span in question here), and certainly more accidents than any other object.

More information is available on their web site: http://www.thebasepoint.com. Click on the "Kjerag: Basic Rules" link for a general idea of the rules there.

The Stavanger BASE Klubb is clearly the most advanced and best run organized effort at jumper self-regulation for a popular legal object.

Is that not what we have at the Perrine?

That's exactly what we have at the Perrine -- this week. I'd like to keep jumping there next year and beyond.

How is Don going to distribute to people about to jump, when he is waiting in the boat at the bottom? And is he going to want that responsibility?

How about we all write and sign little notes, stuck to the backs of our helmets, saying that we know this is dangerous, thank the state of Idaho and TF, and declare our wish not to have any legal or civil actions as a result of any accident that might occur.

I have 16 bridge jumps, don't know anything about how the system works, but it seems a lot like gun control several decades ago. With pressure, we accept that our rights are only privileges, and before long, we will need permits to jump, and then, there will be a "No jumping from bridge" sign up. However, unlike guns, nobody is getting hurt except for the people who make the decision to jump.

The sheriff doesn't want to get involved with any regulation, the people of TF like us... If it comes to that, how about we pool some money up to help and oppose the lawsuit, so that TF and Idaho don't have to cover it. I don't have extra money, but I have to BASE jump.

To the parents of Brian: I am very sorry for your loss. I could not possibly imagine the sadness that you are experiencing, and I hope it never happens again. I am very sorry. I have roughly the same experience as your son when the incident happened. When I started skydiving, I knew that it was dangerous, but it took control of my life, and I had to continue, despite the risks. In fact, because of the risks, I had to continue. With BASE, with all of 16 TF jumps, I climb over the railing knowing that my decisions are my own. I inspected my gear, I packed my gear, I am walking out to the bridge on my own free will. I am climbing over the railing, on my own free will, and I know that within 6 seconds of exit, my life can end, and I will leave the world. My parents, brother, girlfriend, and friends, will all be sad, angry, upset, depressed, and never understand why I had to die so pointlessly. For the record, I will always BASE jump and skydive and I know that it is dangerous!!! I have made plenty of mistakes in the past, but have been lucky that I learned from them, and nothing was hurt. Sometimes, people make mistakes in this dangerous arena, and pay the price like many before. However, when I meet all the BASE jumpers that paid the price before me in heaven, I will not complain and say that it wasn't my fault, that it was equipment failure, etc... I will be laughing and smiling, grateful to have lived for 29 years, skydived for 2.5 years, and 4 weeks of BASE!!! If your interest is truly in keeping people from getting hurt in BASE, step back and take a look. Your son, very simply, made a series of mistakes that led to his death. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, just been lucky and got away without injury. However, your son might not have made it to 10 jumps if he didn’t have the presence of mind to seek a mentor, or even ask someone with more experience for simply, friendly advice. It is clear that he was determined to BASE jump. Without the bridge in TF, he would have been forced to jump an illegal object, at night, far from medical care, with the same degree of “I’ll figure it out on my own”. Is this more or less safe? The opportunity that BASE jumpers have in TF is an INCREDIBLE resource, that does more to encourage safety than anything else I can imagine. Any regulation or tampering with the operation of TF tampers with the the fundimental idea of BASE, be responsible for yourself.

I don't have children, and can't possibly attempt to insult you by saying I understand how you feel and what you are going through. I don't. And again, I am sorry. However, just as you have never BASE jumped or skydived, you cannot possibly understand how I MUST jump. There is a consequence for every action. I understand that, and more importantly, accept that as the potential price that I might pay. With that, I hope that all my brothers and sisters stay safe out there, blue skies...

Again, I am very sorry for your son's loss. But please don't let your sadness, anger, and resentment of BASE cause others to get hurt unnecessarily by regulating TF BASE...

Peter

Designing this system in such a way that it will WORK is important. You found a flaw. Now can you find a solution?


I think this is an excellent idea. Every jumper SHOULD have a will and a statement of self-responsibility. I've written one.

Brian's accident and the unfortunate emotion-storm that followed should inspire EVERY jumper to write out their own personal "Don't blame anyone" essay then give copies to everyone who might need one.

I had the same initial reaction but I also thought perhaps he meant that he wasn't proposing regulation, so there was nothing to debate. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on that.

My personal (Libertarian) take is that regulation, especially in matters like this, really doesn't solve anything. It might make for a good symbolic gesture, but from a practical perspective I don't think regulating jumping off the Perrine is going to change anything. And like others have mention, I don't even think it *can* be effectively regulated.

BASE jumpers sort of have a "rules were made to be broken" mentality. Well, at least I do.

The more and more I think about what would happen if something did happen, I see the importance of having two notes. One taped to the outside of my helmet, taking full responsibility for MY actions and decisions, and another to my non-skydiving/BASE family, explaining to them my deepest personal thoughts and feelings, in a sealed note to be opened only with my fatality.

Absolutely.

I've told my folks on numerous occasions that I am very aware of the risks that I take. But these risks are outweighed by the benefits that I receive from BASE jumping. I've told them in no uncertain terms that if I die BASE jumping there are to be NO LAWSUITS. Zero, zilch, zip, nada. I do not want the very people who have made it possible for me to experience the joy of BASE jumping to be attacked.

If I die, I die doing what I loved. Doing what gives my life some meaning. Doing what allows me to see the world in a way few humans ever will.

Better to die that way than rotting away in a nursing home not know who or where I am.

I may start writing a will which puts all of this into writing.

Is this statement of self resonsibilty a legally binding document, or just something you sat down and drew up one evening? Are you an attorney, or was one involved? I ask, becuase I have wondered if I needed to set up something through my attorney that would protect property owners and other's involved in the event of my death. My wife knows my feelings about lawsuits, but I could easily my MIL talking her into suing everyone involved. I love the freedom way more than I like my MIL...lol

Ganja

Mine is not formed with legal language. However, in a court setting, it would count as evidence. Lawyers will help you write lawyerly documents which might have a different sort of value.

Personally, I think a legaleze document might convince a judge, but would do less to convince family and friends. And convincing family and friends not to even START this kind of action is more important.

I my self am not a base jumper and am only booked into start my AFF course as im waiting for the date in 2 weeks and cant wait to start
so i think i can kinda speak as a outsider of this sport

and i think mr Stout is grieving greatly and doesnt want his son's death to become just another statistic

I agree with the written document on the back of the helmet or in a lawyers office or what ever being a good idea

but im sure if i was starting out in base and i was at some bridge getting ready to jump and there was a pocked screwd onto the railing with a free pamphlet in it id take a moment to have a read of it , as the more i can learn the better and if i only learn 1 small thing then im sure 1 minute of reading was worth it

providing this pamphlet isnt compulsary to read then i cant see how any of you have problems with it
but if its more then a pamphlet then i can see how
and being that you's live in the USA (United states of Attorney's) i can see the liability thing
as even the person who makes the printer that prints these , say Cannon or lexmark could be classed as liable for making printers that they knew could be used to make pamphlets lol

Peace to all and Mr Stouts family
Matt

When considering whether or not to regulate or ban base jumping at this object, I hope people realize that having this object the way it is now actually creates an overall safer environment for BASE jumpers.

Without this object, students will start on more advanced objects and jump in less favorable conditions (i.e. darkness) which could arguably be the source of more deaths. Remember that this object lets an increasing number of students receive the best training available, and make instructor supervised jumps from a relatively safe legal object!

Without this object, experienced jumpers won't have as ideal a situation for learning progressively difficult techniques like aerials. These jumpers will likely still pursue learning these more advanced stunts, but will do so in an environment with less safety margin.

Looking at just the micro environment of BASE in Idaho, it could be easy for an outsider to perceive BASE is quite dangerous and poses such a liability that it should be banned. However, please consider the bigger picture, I think it's quite likely that this object has actually saved more lives than it's taken!

That is if you believe that an object is to blame for anything.

Just my thoughts, no harmful intentions.

Craig Stanton
Fort Collins, CO

You got that right!

I'd humbly suggest a simple posting of a sign in internationally understandable pictographs of the suggestions and rules. You know, with circles and slashes and arrows then exxes for eyes on the noncompliant.

It'd be the fodder for many comments like "Who the hell would do that?" but I guarantee somebody will slink away to change their gear or get something corrected. And they wouldn't even have to read then dispose of a pamphlet.

jon

I'm already on it!

Yes, just like that, but with X's over the eyes... Like the one about avoiding walking into propellers at Sebastian... Or an official poster warning that we are highly trained professionals, that you should not try this at home, or without 10,000 ram-air skydives, etc...