DexterBase

Heh heh... sounds good dude. That'll be a way cool one. We still have to get you off that other bridge too. That one is a super easy rigging job. I can have that rig up in about thirty minutes so we could get a bunch of jumps off in one night. I just won't BASE that one just yet. Especially freefall (chill goes down spine) you're nutty dude! Stay safe bro. ---Dex

How far apart would you suggest making these settings? Why did you have problems with the old method of testing?

They're only sronger if they're hooked up right. If you're in the habit of completely removing the slider for slider off jumps, this is a potential error waiting to happen, and a devastating one at that. Aside from that, they should work but remember I'm not a rigger so my opinion is just that. ---Dex

oooooohhhh.... Good one. You got me. You make a good point here. Thanks for pointing this out. heh heh ---Dex

I think it it going to become more and more common to see newbie skydivers coming out to the DZ saying, "I want to BASE jump so I'm here to get a few skydives". BASE is growing and there are many people noticing the sport. When I witnessed my first BASE jump in 1997 under a bridge, (we were there for a different but equally sinister purpose) it was terribly hard to find out anything about this sport. But it was exciting so I searched on... Showing up to a DZ with an attitude of only using skydiving as a necessary evil is usually met with a poor attitude from non BASE jumpers. But like I said, it's going to become more common. Skydiving is a blast and extremely rewarding. Many people who start skydiving as a means to one day BASE jump, never actually start BASE. They get caught up in RW or Freeflying. They lose sight of what attracted them to the sport in the first place, for the better usually. A few however, see it through and gather the tools they will need to start BASE as safely as is currently possible. (stay with me this IS going somewhere) If you're a new skydiver, my opinion is forget about BASE. Concentrate on being a good skydiver. You will have more fun and none of your jumps will seem like you're spinning your wheels because you only want to BASE jump. Establish goals within skydiving and your need to BASE jump will either dissolve, or burn stronger. Then buy BASE gear and find a mentor and learn your ass off! If you're dead set on being a BASE jumper (and you're a poor college student) then I would suggest a different approach. Don't buy a 9 cell canopy. Resist the temptation to start swooping. Buy a BASE specific canopy (Fox, Mojo, ACE, etc...) and jump that. Most people at the DZ won't understand why you're doing it and will talk a lot of smack about BASE jumpers. I've been called a "damn rock hopper" on several occasions. (But then again I've also caught myself trying to land a 9 cell sabre like a Fox.) Anyway, I guess I've been long winded but basically, If you're intending to only be a BASE jumper, then there is no harm in skydiving a BASE specific canopy from the early days of your jumping. And get used to people not understanding why you're doing it, you're gonna get the same reactions as a BASE jumper anyway. Sorry if I didn't get into the differences between 7 and 9 cell canopies. Theres a TON of information here as well as Blinc. Read my friend, read. Stay safe out there! ---Dex

Hey, how many of you are still using the multi? Does CR advise using it on their canopies? Is center cell strip as bad as we thought it was, or is the problem being dealt with by proper PC selection? Any pro's and con's to the multi?

Okay, first of all let me tell you that in no way am I seeking confrontation and if I came across that way I apologize. The entire purpose of my post is safety. I am acutely aware of the increased interest in BASE jumping throughout the world and skydiving community. Many of those interested in BASE are new skydivers who don't have as much experience or knowledge as others at their DZ. It is because of this that the difference between a BASE jump and a skydive needs to be clarified. A common misconception is that pulling low on a skydive would simulate BASE jumping. Another misconception (and this being a misconception is largely opinion on my part) is that, "well it's 4,000 feet so I can use a sport rig" These two attitudes will get you killed quickly. There are more differences in the two activities than there are similarities, and because of this the equipment and techniques involved are dramatically different. I am a large advocate for using BASE specific equipment on BASE jumps and sport rigs for skydives. (The need to use BASE specific gear on BASE jumps is pretty self explanatory, but if I were to get into why skydiving gear is dangerous for BASE you'd probably get bored and stop reading) So, SAFETY is where I'm coming from. I believe both sports (yes, I feel they are completely different sports) cultivate individuality, free choice, and self expression. But there's also those who need to be supported and nurtured until they gain the knowledge necessary to make good decisions. Do me a favor and ask your friend who did this jump if he considers it a BASE jump or a skydive. I'm curious what he has to say. Lastly, if my tone offended you earlier that was not my intention. Please accept my apologies.---Dex

Thank you. It was NOT a BASE jump. But you obviously missed the subtance of my post.

IMO you BASE-jump from objects and skydive from aircraft. I'd like to say something here. Sorry if I sound whiney but oh well. A BASE jump is a fixed object jump. Jumping from either a building(B) antenna (A) span(S) or earth(E) If you jump from an aircraft of any type (airplane, helicopter, balloon,paraglider,ultralight, large bird etc...)it is NOT a BASE jump. If you exit from any of these aircraft you are most likely wearing a sport rig so it is a skydive. If you get out of these aircraft with a BASE rig, it's still a skydive. No matter how low you get out. Low exits (I don't care how low) are NOT BASE jumps. An ability to exit low from a plane does not prepare you for BASE. Doing low pulls or low exits with skydiving equipment will kill you very rapidly. I would like to see these kinds of jumps called skydives and not BASE jumps. These "stunt" jumps discredit the BASE community. There is an extreme amount of preparation that goes into every BASE jump, and the activity is anything but reckless. Dangerous, maybe but definitely not reckless. Thanks for your time. Stay safe out there.---Dex

I've also learned that the term, "vertical" is very subject to personal interpritation. If a BASE jumper tells you it's vertical, it's likeley a degree or two underhung. If a CLIMBER tells you it's vertical, it is probably near vertical but not quite. Most likely underhung at least a little. Beware of those who solo hard or know what A5 means. (In that case it's probably exactly what they say it is.) If a skippy flatlander says it's vertical, this can range from a level trail to a gentle slope. I once had a person tell me they dropped a rock off a bridge and it took, "NINE SECONDS" to hit the water. Naturally my eyes probably got really big and as soon as I got off work I split with gear in hand. I found a 360 foot bridge. So apparently, "tall" has the same problem.

..Or for McConkeys From low bridges into a sick landing areas :) Heh heh that was cool...

Tom, when are you gonna try one of my rope jumps? I think if we put our heads together we could get one off that big "S". heh heh...

Good idea Tom. Bill would you mind moving it for me? Thanks.

Hey does anyone know if there is a dropzone near Rota? I might be taking a ....vacation.... there soon. ---Dex

I always stretch now. You ususally stretch before you exercise and I think running out a fast landing would qualify as exercise. Also, if you take a tumble on landing, having your muscles stretched and relaxed will lessen the possibility of damaging connective tissues (ligaments). Several studies have shown that stretching before exercising has little to no benefit as far as pulling muscles.

There was also a fatal incident very recently (a couple months ago) doing this. I will not post names or a location because it's not my place. However, since there seems to be an interest in attempting this, I will post a little. *The jumper was being towed by a pickup truck. *The rope length was approximately 200 feet. *The canopy was a large 9 cell *The jumper was a reasonably experienced canopy pilot. *There was a cutaway system (3 ring) attached to the chest strap and connected to the tow rope. The jumpers were intentionally cutting away from the tow rope for landing. The accident: Jumper is successfully launched and pulled to altitude. The canopy started to crab to the side towards a downsloping hillside. Jumper corrects heading and then the canopy drops to the ground. It is unsure if the canopy collapsed or if the tension in the rope compounded the canopy corrections resulting in a dive. A couple points to think about if you're going to try this. *The tow vehicle should pull in a straight line and avoid turning! *Keep canopy corrections to a minimum. *If you're going to be cutting away from the tow line, make sure the handle is easily accessible. *IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY THIS, HOOK THE CANOPY UP TO THE RESERVE RISERS!!! An unintentional cutaway will be catastrophic. *Consider not doing this at all. I lost a friend this way.

Good call. I'll make sure to bring some along on our next outing. Actually, I know several people who bring toilet paper along on their jumps for an entirely different purpose. heh heh...

If I may say something, and I don't intend to flame because I learned this through my own experiences, is that this question will answer itself. I live in an area with a shortage of tall objects, at least within a short drive, and I found myself looking at marginally doable objects rather than just driving a couple of hours to taller and safer objects. After some soul searching as to my true need to jump at these low heights, and asking this very same question to myself, something occured to me. If I need to ask this question, then most likely I am in over my head and and have no business on that object. Better to take a more experienced jumper along who knows my abilities and hopefully they will give me a realistic (and honest) opinion on whether this one is too sick for me right now. Generally, the low stuff is for those who have paid their dues up higher. Those who KNOW how low is too low. (Then theres a couple of you who know it's too low and do some amazing stuff anyway! heh heh)

Yo Mick, I just wanted to take a sec to thank you for providing us with such a cool place to communicate. Your hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. Take it easy. ---Dex

I'm beginning to learn why you think that. And I'm beginning to agree with that as well. 250 ish was the lowest freefall so far, and it made enough sense to want to do it again. TimQuote Tim, I think that jump was actually a little lower. Just for kicks, we dropped a line off and measured it later. We got 242 feet. Heh heh. Nice jump though. ---Dex

Hi, First of all, let me say that if anyone goes in on a load I'm a part of, I'm staying. Simple as that. you can arrest me, charge me, convict me, and sentence me. I can live with that. What I can't live with is knowing I'm leaving a brother or sister alone in the dark cold night because I don't want to deal with the situation. And besides that, I'm an EMT and abandoning a patient, dead or alive, pretty much goes against everything I stand for. So what are the probable events that will occur after a fatality? Say you go in on an illegal object, what are the legal consequences for the other jumpers on the load, and the groundcrew? Either way, like I said, I'm staying. Stay safe out there. ---Dex [email protected]

Hey, I had some questions regarding the way you are packing. How do you fold the nose for different delays? Up until now, I have done all of my jumps slider down (off). I am interested in how the way you prepare the nose will affect the openings. I realize that there is little information in the manufacturers manuals on this and I'm not even sure what questions I need to ask on this topic. If any of you have information you think could help, please share it with me. Stay safe out there!---Dex