barrel rolls to check airspace before pulling

[Remster 30]

Since we’re chiming-in with opinions…

I haven’t changed my opinion on this from the last time we discussed it…

IMHO, unless you have extremely good spatial awareness, I don’t think you can tell if someone is straight above you while doing a barrel roll. You may see something in the general region above you, but that person may be to the side, in front or behind your position.

Factor that to the fact that, if someone is roughly above you, that means you fucked up and tracked steep, so before adding some fancy manoeuvres at the end of your track, work on the basic and get a flat track.

Remster

[oldnewbie 0]

I will agree with you on this one! On the dives that i was talking about, we knew that we were the only ones anywhere around us. Yes, that wouldn't be a good idea being on your back with others in the sky near you.

[kallend 2,027]

I think you're better off practicing to become the fastest, flattest tracker at the DZ. Then there won't be anyone above you at deploy time.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[steve1 5]

Andy2,
That's how you learn is by asking questions. I'm still learning myself. I've learned a whole lot by asking dumb questions to the more experienced jumpers on this forum. I still haven't made up my mind yet if a barrel roll is good or not. If you get enough feed back, you can usually draw the right conclusions.....Steve1

[jrpayne 0]

I generally start off tracking on my back, seems you can see where everyone else is going right off the bat.

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

I think you're better off practicing to become the fastest, flattest tracker at the DZ. Then there won't be anyone above you at deploy time

And there you have it. Very direct. Thanks, John.