JaapSuter 0 #1 December 27, 2005 Hey, Abbie and I owe Skyflyingbecca an apology. Her post in isolation was not a bad post perse. The reason we overreacted was because it was the umptieth time we see BASE jumpers make poor decisions when it comes to protection. I don't care if somebody with several hundred BASE jumps and a double digit number of objects decides to jump without a helmet. They have paid their dues... However, as low-timers we have a duty to try and stay injury free for as long as possible. Remember that when you're just starting out in the sport (like I am today) we're only guests in territory of the long time jumpers that have gone before us. We owe it to them to play the game as safe as we can. Every time one of us gets hurt, the image of the sport gets hurt. We complain that our family members don't understand. We bitch that we can't jump illegally in the National Parks. We weep when our brethren break a leg of fracture a skull. We bring it on ourselves. Protection is no silver bullet, but it does help. And it doesn't just help you, it helps the sport. And; when somebody ends up breaking his leg or hurting his face despite wearing protection, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. When somebody doesn't break his leg or doesn't hurt his face despite wearing protection, you just don't hear about it! This bridge day I was standing in line for my first jump. I was wearing my shin- and knee-guards, body-armor and full-face helmet. Several people started laughing at me in a joking kind of way; asking if I was headed to a jousting contest later. I was about to do my 76th BASE jump of my 15th object. They were about to do their first. Who can laugh now? Skyflyingbecca; sorry for being a jerk. I hope you'll get some proper boots, and I'm looking forward to jumping with you some day... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #2 December 27, 2005 QuoteI was about to do my 76th BASE jump of my 15th object. They were about to do their first. Who can laugh now? Well said my crazy "canadian/ holland" friendLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #3 December 27, 2005 Tom, can you clean this thread up please? I'm trying to say something meaningful here, and it's hard enough without BASE jumpers bickering over unrelated things. 980 and Leroy; let it go. When our toes are curled around the edge, we forget it all anyway. Gravity is more important. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #4 December 28, 2005 protection wont keep you away from injury,but it can minimice how bad it turns out. In this game were the weak part,and its always the weakpart that is breaking first however overusing bodyamor could also get you in trouble.. Despire on the lz i wont use a back protector jumping off a high bridge,landing in water means that you can swim.. Not picking at you just telling theres different oppinions for using or not using body amor.. note i never jumped at bridge day and only know the site from video,this post were made to tell that there can be different oppinions on why/why not.. Stay safe Stefan Faber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #5 December 28, 2005 Quotehowever overusing bodyamor could also get you in trouble.. Despire on the lz i wont use a back protector jumping off a high bridge,landing in water means that you can swim.. Can you elaborate how it can get you in trouble? I've swam several times with my body armor and it was never a problem. I won't get Olympic swimming speeds, but I could easily outswim Abbie. The only problems I've seen with body armor can be the annoyance of shoulder padding when you put it on, slightly restricted maneuvrability (although I think people overrate this, unless they pull triple gainers), and increased pin tension, which is easily addressable in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #6 December 28, 2005 QuoteThe only problems I've seen with body armor can be the annoyance of shoulder padding when you put it on, slightly restricted maneuvrability (although I think people overrate this, unless they pull triple gainers), and increased pin tension, which is easily addressable in advance. Also, the spine protector can slightly move the PC position. If you are going to do low pulls, or low stowed jumps, I'd recommend doing some practice touches and throws, and probably a fair number of stowed jumps while wearing the body armor, prior to the critical one.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #7 December 29, 2005 im not saying it will drag you down but it wont help you,if you get pulled down your might off worse than whith out the protection.. Stay safe Stefan Faber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #8 December 30, 2005 Bump; this one is for you... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
