NathanL100 0 #1 September 4, 2002 Yo, everyone I need a little help here. There is a guy that jumps at my DZ and he wants to start jumping with a camera. He has only something like 80-90 jumps and is not very "freefall aware or heads up". What I need help with is how to tell the guy that he should not be flying camera yet and that he needs to work on becoming a better skydiver and log a lot more jumps more frequently before he starts adding more shit to the equation. I've mentioned this to the DZM and he agreed with me, but he hasn't done anything about it so, PLEASE I NEED SOME ADVICE!!!!Base # 942 The race is long and in the end, its only with yourself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,990 #2 September 4, 2002 Rather than tell him no, I would tell him what skills he should be able to demonstrate _first._ Can he launch with a wing suit cleanly 10 times out of 10? Can he stay within 5 feet of a 4-way group, no matter what they do? Can he ditch a camera helmet safely? More importantly, can he demonstrate all that? The reason this seems to work, I think, is that jumpers will generally reply "Sure, I can do that." You can then say "OK, let's see. We have this four way - get your wingsuit, launch with us, and never get more than 5 feet away." If they do it and fail, it's their failure, rather than your opinion, that will tell them they need more practice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #3 September 4, 2002 Is there an S&TA at your DZ that you can talk to? If not, I'm sure Quade can give you some "ugly-but-true information" about the can of worms he is about to open up that will hopefully show him the benefits of patience. KrisSky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NathanL100 0 #4 September 4, 2002 Yeah, I should talk to the S&TA, thanks, I know the perfect S&TA for the job too.Base # 942 The race is long and in the end, its only with yourself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NathanL100 0 #5 September 4, 2002 QuoteCan he launch with a wing suit cleanly 10 times out of 10? Can he stay within 5 feet of a 4-way group, no matter what they do? Umm... He is a freeflyer so I'm not sure if that will make any impression on him, but the ditching the camera thing, how would one go about testing that particular skill. Wrap a line or the bridle around the camera and tell him the fix it in 3 sec??Base # 942 The race is long and in the end, its only with yourself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #6 September 4, 2002 unless the DZ staff stops him from jumping with that camera attached to his pumpkin, hes going to do it. The only good thing is, if others at the DZ with more experience are aware that hes not ready to be jumping with a camera they are not going to want him to film there jump. SOME young skydivers allow their ego to over-ride there ass and it sounds like thats going to be the case with this lad. I agree that the STA should have a chat with this fellow. If all else fails, protect yourself first! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbrian 0 #7 September 4, 2002 You should say something like "Dude, you're dangerous. Stay the hell away from me." In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #8 September 4, 2002 or use some horror-true-life tales. Have him read last years incident reports. How many camera flyers had fatal problems? That could be him. A camera flyer friend just had a ruptured disc in his neck that has put him out of commission. This is after about 500-700 camera jumps. Ask him if he's willing to lose $1500 to $2000 in helmet and camera gear when a riser hits the quick release or he has to dump the set up over a swamp or forest. Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
