safest way to transition from a sit to track at break off

[Newbie 0]

i know i need to learn to get inverted, and "banana peel" away from formation so as not to cork but im not sure on how best to practice this, and how long i should maintain a steep track or hd position for, before transitioning to a flat track position. How long should it be from transitioning to a steep track until you move into a normal flat track position? Im guessing just a few seconds?

Im still learning cartwheels, but is a cartwheel and simultaneously turning 180 on the horizontal the best way to peel off?. I was wondering how this would allow you to check what was behind you, given that if you are facing the formation/other jumper, and you reach break off alti, half cartwheel to maintain speed while simultaneously turning 180 and getting steep, how are you going to be able to look to where you will be tracking to, to make sure the airspace is clear?). Would it be better to stay head up, turn 180 to check airspace for the track corridor, then get steep and banana peel off?

Thanks for the pointers!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[AggieDave 6]

I really prefer doing a 1/2 cartwheel, going headdown for a split second and pushing out a track from there. It keeps your fall rate up and promotes a better track. Sure, some folks might beable to backtrack just as well as they belly track, but I'm willing to bet atleast 95% of the FFers out there can't.

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how are you going to be able to look to where you will be tracking to, to make sure the airspace is clear?).

Well, hopefully you're jumping with people that can be in the formation or in the group and not behind/below/above someone. So hopefully you'll know where they are before you even track off. Also, hopefully they're leaving at the same time, so you'd most likely just have to adjust your direction slightly to stay away from them.

I have been on jumps where I did a quick look over both shoulders when I was getting close to breakoff altitude. I didn't turn around, just looked, but if you're new at FFing, you may not be able to twist around without corking. I do the same thing while tracking, Look with my head, instead of doing a barrel roll, since when doing a barrel roll, you're not holding your maximum possible track.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[karenmeal 0]

Right before I break off when I am in a sit, I take a moment to count everyone in my group to make sure nobody is "missing". Then I gradually lean back and start my back track, I do that for several seconds before I flip to my belly and finish the track. Breaking off this way, there is really no need to do a barrel roll or anything before you deploy, since you have just accounted for all your group members and have cleared the air above you.

However you end up breaking off.. just make sure you don't get into the habit of just rolling over to your belly and tracking away.. it should be a gradual progression.

BTW... the banana peel breakoff isn't really the optimal head-down breakoff technique. Its ok for smaller groups, but not too accepted on larger formations.. so you may as well develop a good habit early on. I'm pretty sure that the most accepted "proper" head-down breakoff technique is to turn 180 from the formation and gradually enter into a back track (then switch to belly). Maybe someone will come along and say something different.. but the bigway freefly camps I have done have taught us to use this method.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[jmfreefly 0]

Accounting for people is very important, and something that newer jumpers seldom do, especially above.

If you can't account for everyone, then backtracking has the same issues as the banana peel does for head down (you can't see if someone is behind you).

Another thing that I see very few people do is actually signal breakoff. This can help warn everyone that speeds will start changing and to watch for people tracking.

j

[Brains 2]

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Another thing that I see very few people do is actually signal breakoff. This can help warn everyone that speeds will start changing and to watch for people tracking.

You know, i feel embarassed that i have never even thought of this before. What do you use as a signal?

Sorry to hijack your thread Dave.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[jmfreefly 0]

The same that I use for signalling RW breakoff, two handed wave off.

I have also seen folks use a 1 handed wave bye-bye, but I think that is not as clear to those not directly in front of the jumper.

No matter what you use, I recommend covering that at the same time as reviewing the breakoff altitude.

j

[Newbie 0]

thanks, good advice, but i havent learnt to back track yet. What do you suggest to use as break off technique when not head down, and in smaller (up to 4) sit groups, other than counting everyone before break off? I guess what im saying is how best to break off if i cant account for everyone in the group?

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[karenmeal 0]

Back tracking probably isn't as hard as you may think it is. I would go practice it a bit. The nice thing about back tracking away from a group from a sit-fly is that its a very gradual transition (not so much corking) and you get to have your eyes all over the sky.

It's really important that you are able to account for the whole group. If you are having trouble doing this, then it is likely that you should limit the size of the group you are jumping with. I mean this in a nice/helpful way.. but with just over 100 jumps... a 4 way freefly probably isnt appropriate unless the other 3 people have lots of freefly jumps. (500+) And in that case, you'll probably be base and everyone will be very easy to account for.

The best way to learn to freefly is in very small groups (2 ways) with people who have more experience than you. Its a safer, lower stress environment which makes it easier to build skills. When learning to freefly bigger is not better! The larger the size of the group, the more difficult and dangerous the jump has the potential of becoming.

So to sum that up, if you jump in a small group (2-way), it will be easier to learn proper break-off techniques. (You also may want to up the breakoff altitude for a few jumps until you get the hang of things...)

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[Newbie 0]

thanks Karen. I dont have many ff jumps and to date, aside from solos, have only done 2 ways with coaches and a 4 way with a very experienced 3 way ff team which was a one off and as you said, i was base so it was easy to know who was where and what was going on. It was as a result of their feedback from that dive on transitioning properly to ensure a fast falling position at break off that i posted this up. I have no intention of doing more than a 2 way unless, again, its with very experienced ff'ers like those i jumped with. I don't even want to do a 2 way unless im jumping with someone who knows whats what. Many thanks for looking out for me and for the advice posted, i really want to get some coached back tracking done now!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[karenmeal 0]

Sounds like you got your head on straight and aren't just another crazy freeflier.

Next time you do a solo, try back tracking! Its just important that you glance over your shoulder every so often to make sure you're not going up or down the line of flight. (And aren't hosing yourself)

Practice a nice slow transition from a sit to a back track.. I kinda just ball up a bit, lean back while maintaining fall rate with the group and then slowly point my toes, unfurl my torso and straighten my arms out... then when I'm out of the way of everyone, I arch hard and ZOOM!

If you master this break-off method.. you'll be leading tracking dives in no time at all.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[freeflybella 0]

Backtracking is fun, and is a great way to break off from a freefly formation. I say for sure go out and try it - it is easier than you might think (as karenmeal has pointed out).

A few things to keep in mind.

On your solo attempts, you want make sure you know what direction your jump run is and that you don't fly up or down the line of flight.

This is sometimes difficult due to my next point.

You need to make sure you can track in a straight line before you use this method of break-off. When tracking on your belly, you have the ground for reference. On your back, you do not.

You'll need to look between your feet at the invisible spot in the center of your group and then rely on muscle memory and the feel of the air, for symmetry.

When looking around, left to right, etc., it's easy to lose that spot in the sky and start tracking toward someone else without knowing it.

I'd suggest doing solos, then 2-ways with an experienced backtracker to help build awareness of what symmetry feels like on your back.

Until then, and to your original question, up your breakoff altitude. Take your time to look around the sky and find your friends (including a 360 to check behind you). Back slowly out of the formation and roll to your belly to track.

It's not the most graceful looking - but it might be the safest until you've got the backtracking thing down.

Good luck!

Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi