3fLiEr

are you keeping your grounding a secret????? BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Taken from the ABA Differences Between B.A.S.E. Jumping and Skydiving Why A B.A.S.E. Jump is Not Just Another Skydive You Can't Skydive From a Cliff! Everyone has seen pictures of the amazing 3000ft cliff in Norway, known as Kjerag. This inspires many skydivers to make the pilgrimage to what is perceived as a relatively safe B.A.S.E. jump. But is it really safe? And are skydivers adequately prepared for every scenario that they may encounter. As time goes by and the number of fatalities increases, it is being proven that skydivers are NOT adequately prepared. How do you prepare for big wall B.A.S.E. jumping? What differences are there between high and low altitude jumps? I use a technique called Potential Problem Analysis on each and every jump. To be able to use this technique effectively, you first need to be able to recognise and analyse all possible variables (scenarios) and then map out a plan of action prior to jumping. For a skydiver wanting to attempt B.A.S.E. jumping, this means that they should: know about all possible skydiving malfunctions and how to deal with them. have an intimate knowledge of equipment. have the right motivation for wanting to jump. obtain the right training from the right people. know about all possible B.A.S.E. malfunctions. know the differences between skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping. The last point is especially relevant because many of the incidents in B.A.S.E. jumping involve skydivers who make the statement “its 3000ft, hence its just like doing a hop’n’pop on a skydive – how easy and safe is that!”. This thought could not be further from the truth. Let's split up a jump and analyse the differences between skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping. SITE ACCESS On a skydive, you just hop on an aircraft and away you go. On a B.A.S.E. jump, you may have to do hours of difficult hiking, technical climbing, and mountaineering. There is also the issue of legality and trespassing – are you allowed to walk to the exit point and jump off it? EXIT On a skydive, all you need to do is hop out of the aircraft. There is plenty of airspeed for you to be able to fly into the correct body position. You also have a lot of free space around you. On a B.A.S.E. jump, quite often the exit point is difficult to access, slippery, unstable, secured (i.e. security, refer to legal access issues), radiated, electrified, etc. There is no airspeed as you leave the object. This means that you have to put your body in the correct position. If you become unstable, you must use gymnastic &/or diving techniques to regain stability. You can’t “arch” into a stable position for a number of seconds. The exit point is usually precise, if you jump a few metres either side of defined exit point you may introduce further dangers (such as a protruding ledge). FREEFALL Once you exit an aircraft, you have a lot of free space around you. It does not really matter what you do until you commence your deployment. On a B.A.S.E. jump, there is an object near you. Therefore you effectively lose half of your space. You must maintain separation from the object. Can you guarantee the you don’t backslide a few feet on every skydive?? On an underhung object, backsliding a few feet would probably lead to an ugly death. Your freefall time is finite. On lower objects you must be precise in calculating you delay. On a skydive, a few seconds either side of the planned opening altitude does not matter. On a B.A.S.E. jump, a few fractions of a second could mean the difference between life and death. As in the exit, you must use gymnastic &/or diving techniques to regain stability in the first few seconds of a jump if you become unstable. DEPLOYMENT Stability is critical on deployment. Your shoulders must be parallel with the ground and your back must point up to provide a clear space for your pilot chute and canopy to deploy. This is true in both skydiving and B.A.S.E. jumping. However, most B.A.S.E. jumpers use single parachute systems. Hence, you must guarantee each and every opening. You would usually get away with an unstable skydiving deployment and you have a reserve to deal with the consequences. Another critical factor is the height consumed during a deployment. It is very important that a B.A.S.E. jumper uses equipment that consistently consumes the same altitude with minimal variance on every jump. 100 feet here or there are not important on a skydive, yet on a B.A.S.E. jump, it could mean the difference between life and death. The first part of the deployment (from throwing the pilot chute to line stretch) is the most important on a B.A.S.E. jump. The slightest pilot chute hesitation on a low or underhung object could mean the difference between life and death. As an example: you are on a low jump (250ft), and have a hesitation such that the distance consumed during deployment is greater than usual. Most jumpers will begin to panic and undermine their body position. This could lead to off headings or entanglements. The hesitation may mean that you could impact the ground prior to full canopy deployment. The hesitation may be caused by: incorrect pilot chute selection (material, geometry, size, construction, etc), incorrect bridle length, incorrect stowage or holding methods, incorrect usage technique, downward wind rotors, air density/pressure/ temperature, plus many other factors. Would you consider any of these on a skydive? You have to on a B.A.S.E. jump. CANOPY FLIGHT You MUST pre-plan your flight path and allow for all deployment eventualities on most B.A.S.E. jumps. Most sites have obstructions from exit to landing and may have very tight landing areas. Often there are no out landing options. You have to use all your control inputs (front and rear risers, toggles) to control the flight of your canopy. Due to the greater time and space available on most skydives, this is not usually a problem. LANDING Landing areas in Australia are often tight with no outs, steep, and covered in sharp rocks or other "injurious" objects. In case of injury, they are also not easily accessible to medical and rescue personnel. In contrast, most skydivers land in open fields. Hence your canopy choice, flight path planning, accuracy skills, personal protective equipment (ankle protecting and shock absorbing boots, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, etc) must all be of a high standard. EQUIPMENT As long as your skydiving equipment is maintained, packed, and used correctly, you can use the same gear on every jump (notwithstanding the discipline specific equipment that is available nowadays such has CRW and accuracy gear). In B.A.S.E. jumping every component of your gear and its configuration must be taken into account on each and every jump. This can best be explained using two contrasting examples. Example 1: a 1500ft bridge onto a large grass landing area. You could use virtually any sort of B.A.S.E. equipment in any configuration. Example 2: a 200ft cliff onto a tight, sloped, and rocky landing area. You need the following specific equipment: large reinforced pilot chute (>45 in) for extra drag and faster extraction. longer bridle (~ 9 ft long) with NO collapsing system to avoid the burble zone. multiple bridle attachment point preferred to minimise centre cell stripping. brakes set appropriately (this is dependant on wing loading and characteristics of the particular canopy you are jumping). appropriate wing loading - 0.7 lbs per square foot preferred. bottom skin vents or pac valves to enhance early pressurisation. a secure (but quick release) toggle system to prevent premature toggle release. slider removed or down. brake line stowed outside the keeper ring. unobstructed (i.e. cover flaps lifted) & primed pins or velcro. pilot chute folded / stowed and used correctly (poor technique can lead to minor hesitations which at very low altitudes translates to higher potential for death). good body position. At this altitude, head high position is preferred. single parachute systems since there is no time for a reserve parachute. appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) such as shock absorbing ankle protecting boots, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, etc. Other equipment such as back braces, abrasion resistant pants, etc could also be used. knowledge of weather conditions & the affect wind has on deploying, flying, and landing canopies. Rotors, downdrafts, venturi affects, etc need to be considered. the ability to say NO to a jump and to reject, peer or ego pressure. ability to determine what skills are required for a jump & whether or not you have the appropriate skill set to perform the jump safely. As you can see, to maximise safety on a B.A.S.E. jump you have to take into account many complexities that most skydivers would not consider. This lack on consideration is the root cause of most of today's incidents and fatalities. Take a few moments to learn about an activity before you participate. This time could save you a lifetime. BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

please come to my DZ ;op bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Coaching and Video debriefs BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Was at the right height for a 360 saw another canopy and hesitated for cleaer airspace (3 secs) did the 360 lessons :- lost altitude in 3 secs was enough to plough me into the ground sidewards............ Dont be so focused on the hook that simple safety thoughts go out of the window..... I am still very much learning (only 15 or 16 360's) and this was a mistake that should not have been made. Be safe out there you crazy kids!!!!................... BSBD PS) Phuq I am aching today!!!......... "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

This weekend I was very close to receiving a life time ban. After some "good" people talking to the CCI I received a banning for 2 weeks, permanment banning from landing in the square and a final warning that should I phuq up once more I shall be banned from the UK sport for life. The reason for this - I phuqked up a 360 hook and ploughed myself into the ground - the reason this happened is a 3 second delay from when I should have hooked to when i did because i was holding out for someone to land who was in my way - that is another thread though - focus on hooking taking away your focus of safety. I feel now that i am being pushed from a sport i dearly love - imagine each jump i do now is a possible life ban. If i loose altitude awareness (which we all do from time to time) if i perhaps dig out a hook that was done slightly too low, or any other mistake that people do from time to time even with 1000's of jumps they still make them. How can making jumps under that sort of pressure be fun?........ I am either having to move DZ whilst I learn the finer points of swooping - just incase - or I must bow to the masters and not attempt the sorts of things I wish to be doing - this is a restriction of freedom is it not?? I understand the reasonings behind this (I am not the most cautious of people and perhaps push the safety limits a bit far sometimes and I have been grounded for doing so perhaps 15 or 16 times in 2 years mainly for low pulling - I do not low pull anymore) I am not griping at the decision of the CCI - but there are risks in this sport and if one is wanting perhaps to risk more than another should he be persicuted for doing so? Just my Monday Morning Moan!!! BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

This might help - its BPA guide lines on progressing to the CAT8 equivalent of FFly GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING FREESTYLE/ FREEFLYING GRADE 1 (FF1) 1. Introduction Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 (FF1) is designed to teach parachutists all the necessary skills for flying in a controlled “head up” body orientation, alone and with other parachutists. 2. Eligibility Parachutists must have completed at least a-e of the Formation Skydiving (FS) requirements. Whilst Formation Skydiving Grade 1 (FS1) is not a requirement it is certainly desirable. Appropriate and safe parachuting equipment should be used during all FF descents. 3. FF1 Requirements In order to obtain Grade 1 in Freestyle/ Freeflying (FF1) the parachutist must be introduced to FF by a CCI nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to:- a) Fly in a controlled sit/ stand position b) Control fall rate in a sit/ stand position b) Control forward and backward movement in a sit/ stand position c) Control turns in both directions in a sit/ stand position d) Fly relative to others in a sit/ stand position 4. The Ten Suggested Levels a) Introduction. A novice to freestyle/ freeflying should gain experience of the relative wind striking their body in different places other than on their belly. It is useful to experiment aerial movement through several of the body’s axes, thus dives spent performing front and back loops and/ or barrel rolls starting and returning to a familiar “belly to earth” position are a good starting point for a FF novice. Particular attention should be paid to altitude awareness whilst performing these manoeuvres. b) After familiarising themselves with different basic aerial movements the FF novice should learn to fly in a controlled back to earth position. This will become a possible recovery position when later learning basic sit flying. Attention should be paid to heading awareness in addition to altitude awareness. Controlled 360 degree turns in a back to earth position will further demonstrate proficiency. c) The novice FF parachutist is now ready to attempt flying in a sit flying position. This should be done from a back flying position developed in earlier jumps. The parachutist should pay particular attention to the angles of their limbs and back. Heading awareness should also be practised. A novice falling out of their sit position should return to a back flying position, regain control and then attempt sitting again. d) It is recommended that the novice FF parachutist learns to perform controlled 360 degree turns after achieving a basic sit fly position. The novice may find it useful to initiate such movements by pressing down slightly with one arm rather than trying to turn with the legs. e) Controlling fall rate is an essential skill for the novice FF parachutist to learn. Fast fall from a sit flying position is achieved by extending the legs in a downward manner, whilst slow fall is initiated by relaxing into a more “back to earth” body position. Form 188 (i) (Issue 2, Feb 2000) f) Working with controlling fall rate the novice FF parachutist might want to experiment learning to fall at the more extreme ends of both slow and fast fall. This can be done by either extending the arms above the head in a stand up position or performing a hard de-arch position in the “back to earth” position. g) Forward and backward movement is achieved in head up flight by pushing the hips forward or backward in relation to the upper torso. Hips forward creates a forward movement and vice versa. Attention should be paid to working on levels when moving in a horizontal direction. h) Forward movement can be further practised by performing this skill with another parachutist. Approaching the target and stopping in a controlled manner is a highly desirable skill to possess in freeflying. i) The final requirement for Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 is to demonstrate good control whilst flying relative to others in a sit/ stand position. An appropriate dive may include some 360 degree turns, some gentle knee docks and some changes in fall rate. Notes:- It is highly recommended that the following guidelines are adhered to whilst working toward and beyond your FF Grade 1:- · extra attention is paid to altitude awareness and a higher break off altitude is used to help compensate for the faster air speeds achieved in these disciplines. · an audible altimeter is used, in addition to a visual altimeter. · a novice FF parachutist’s equipment is deemed suitable for higher speed descents by a suitably experienced, CCI nominated person. · no leg strap throw-away pilot chutes are used for freestyle/ freeflying jumps. · a novice freestyle/ freeflying parachutist does not partake in jumping with groups larger than a two way until after they have achieved a minimum of their FF1. 4. Exit Altitudes The recommended exit altitude while demonstrating the ten suggested exercise levels are upwards of 10,000 ft.. Different drop zones may have different policies on when FF parachutists should exit, thus check with the appropriate centre on their applicable exit order patterns. GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING - FREESTYLE/ FREEFLYING GRADE 2 (FF2) 1. Introduction Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1 (FF1) is designed to teach parachutists all the necessary skills for flying in a controlled “head down” body orientation, alone and with other parachutists. 2. Eligibility Parachutists must have completed at least a-e of the Formation Skydiving (FS) requirements and must have obtained FF1 (Freestyle/ Freeflying Grade 1). Whilst Formation Skydiving Grade 1 (FS1) is not a requirement it is certainly desirable. Appropriate and safe parachuting equipment should be used during all FF descents. 3. FF2 Requirements In order to obtain Grade 2 in Freestyle/ Freeflying (FF2) the parachutist must be Grade 1 in FF (FF1) introduced to FF2 by a CCI nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to:- a) Fly in a controlled head down position b) Control fall rate in a head down position c) Control turns in both directions in a head down position Form 188 (ii) (Issue 2, Feb 2000) d) Fly relative to others in a head down position e) Display independent body movement in a head down position, e.g. hand claps. 4. The Ten Suggested Levels a) Introduction. It is particularly important that a novice in head down flight is competent at flying in a head up body position. The sit position is a the starting point for learning head down flight. A novice should practice transitions from a sit position to a head down position by preferably performing a half cartwheel and then opening out into a “legs wide” head down position. This position should only be held for a few seconds before returning back to a sit position. This exercise should be practised until the transition is smooth and consistent. As with all FF skydives particular attention should be paid to altitude awareness. b) After familiarising themselves with the basic transition to and from a head down position the FF novice should learn to spend longer durations in a controlled head down position. Attention should be paid to heading awareness and any possible horizontal movements. It is during this time that a competent aerial coach becomes especially important so they can act as a good point of reference and assist in correcting any unneccesary body movement. c) Once a novice FF parachutist has acquired a good head down body position with an absence of unnecessary horizontal movement it is pertinent that they learn to fly it in an assortment of directions. Controlled 360 degree turns are a good starting point. d) Once 360 degree turns are mastered it is recommended that the novice FF parachutist learns to control fall rate, practicising faster fall with a more streamlined body position and slower fall in a wider, more open head down position. e) As with the FF1 suggested criteria, the novice FF parachutist might want to experiment learning to fall at the more extreme ends of both slow and fast fall. Extreme caution should be exercised with regard to altitude awareness whilst practising these type of skills. f) After learning fall rate changes in head down flight the next important skill to learn is forward and backward movement. This can be achieved by moving the hips forward or backward in relation to the upper torso. Hips forward can create a backward movement and vice versa. Attention should be paid to working on levels when moving in a horizontal direction. g) Forward movement should be practised by performing this skill with another parachutist. Approaching the target and stopping in a controlled manner is a highly desirable skill to possess in freeflying. h) One of the requirements of FF2 is the demonstration of flying in good control relative to others whilst in a head down position. An appropriate dive may include some 360 degree turns, some transitions to and from a head up position and some changes in fall rate. i) The final requirement for FF2 is to display independent body movement, in essence demonstrating that the FF parachutist can move their arms independently of their legs. This can be done by taking hand grips whilst flying head down, by performing hand claps or flying with the arms in a folded position. Notes:- It is highly recommended that the following guidelines are adhered to whilst working toward and beyond your FF Grades:- · extra attention is paid to altitude awareness and a higher break off altitude is used to help compensate for the faster air speeds achieved in these disciplines. · an audible altimeter is used, in addition to a visual altimeter. · a FF parachutist’s equipment is deemed suitable for higher speed descents by a suitably experienced, CCI nominated person. · no leg strap throw-away pilot chutes are used for freestyle/ freeflying jumps. · a newly qualified FF2 parachutist does not partake in jumping with larger groups until they have relevant experience jumping with smaller (2-3 way) groups. Form 188 (iii) (Issue 2, Feb 2000) 4. Exit Altitudes The recommended exit altitude while demonstrating the ten suggested exercise levels are upwards of 10,000 ft.. Different drop zones may have different policies on when FF parachutists should exit, thus check with the appropriate centre on their applicable exit order patterns. "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

I had a stage of continually pulling low.............. my groundrush experiences were desensitised and i would only experience ground rush lower than 1500ft............ I have started pulling high again (2,500) and my mind is back in experiencing groundrush from this height. Re: Time Slows down! - yep - i was in freefall at 800ft and the ground rush was intense..... time slows, the universe expands and you have a beautiful feeling of being alive and living in the moment............. I believe if I go in.......... its wont be scarey ...... it will be a beautiful experience that deserves to be savoured................. Live life Fast N Hard! BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Face to Earth.......... enjoy the GroundRush.............. it will be beautiful.................. savour the moment when the universe expands..................... mmmmmmmmm BSBD "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

http://www.salomontv.com/view.asp?idvideo=39 Choice between the girl and jumpin'...................... surely jumpin'?!?!? "Hook Low - Flare Late" bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

if your happy landing off in a tight area with obstacles possible doing a downwinder.............. then go for it........... my thoughts - 20 jumps and a semi-elliptical............. your gonna femur it in................. just my 2 low pulls worth "Hook Low Flare Late" bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

For them to ask you to give it up is the Selfish Act......... you are who you are .............. never change for anyone................ bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Go phuq yourself............. bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Dont jump with people who back slide !!!!............... Just my 2 low pulls worth!! bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

you dont jump in England then!!! bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Let me see............................ at our DZ there have been alot of big ways!!...................... including twins!!! bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Who says!!!................. I would go on my main................ oh I have done!........ but that was a 1200 ft exit so I had more altitude I suppose................ but that got eaten up with my 2 second delay!!!!.............. ;op who says a reserve will work!!!!........... I dont want to tempt fate like that.............. rather use my first option and see what happens........... bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Thanks....... just what I thought....... think I will stick to the crossfire first......probably be best to learn more on that before the next step.......would you not agree?......... not quite ready for a FX............. bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

So would you say that jumping straight into getting an FX 119 would not be that stupid???................ bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Well this weekend I jumped one for the first time ......... crossfire 119 loaded at 1.7.............. had to admit not what I expected.............. not as radical as I thought it would be on toggle turns - more graceful than radical....... but tended to dive at the ground more than I expected............. will be flying one more until I decide to buy one....... but I think this is a canopy with a lot of potential for me................ Now my next question - Why a crossfire 119 rather than a FX119.................... I have my ideas (different flying animal - FX MUST be flown fast to land).... but would like experienced thoughts on it please........... thanks bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

My own kit - I would turn it on - someone elses as I jumped that day......... I turned it off....... why - coz I dont know how much the canopy was going to snivel - as it happens it snivelled about 1,000ft............ god I love that Crossfire opening!!!................. bsbd PS) sorry about the shallowish spot!!!.......... bloody windy!! "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

As I said......... and also as someone points out.................. This place is easier to "throw the cat amoungst the pigeons!!"............. ;op bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Ok I see ya point...... BASE as its a bridge......... using a container... maybe I should have said an acceptable BASE jump................. if a skydiver goes in on the Hilton with a skydive rig (as has happened) is that a BASE jumper going in or a Skydiver going in?............. although its a BASE jump .........it aint a BASE jumper............. just my thoughts bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

I know some people that FFly with Racers - they are happy with them - myself - I would not FFly a Racer - I just would not feel happy.................... Just my 2 low pulls worth bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"

Imagine a Skydiver asking about launching this off a bridge with a skydive rig on BLINC.......... I aint going to have the greatest of responses - another skydiver wannabe BASE jumper killing himself and bringing bad press on the BASE world............ As this is technically not a BASE jump I felt no need to ask BASErs about it......originally done with a paraglider rig and looking to do it with a skydive rig........... and also as someone points out.................. This place is easier to "throw the cat amoungst the pigeons!!"............. amazing what thoughts go through your head when bored at work...................... ;op oh and dont worry Craig.................. I aint about to bring disrepute onto the UKBASEScene bsbd "In a world where we are slaves to gravity I am pleased to be a freedom fighter"