manship

IN looking at the picture of your 2 sliders, seems the larger one is small mesh, the smaller large mesh. That is the primary reason for the size difference [unless you have some manufacturers comments otherwise, then I will stand corrected!] In talking with Adam some time ago, he said the guideline he uses is 10% -- ie, if the sliders are within 10 percent in size, they should be interchangeable. This is not at all to refute what TA said, you go out of the stock box, you are a test jumper, but that might not be all bad if you enjoy fiddling around some at Perrine. I no longer have the slider for a 260 Mojo, but if you compare the measurements from someone with the Rock dragon slider, and it is within 10 percent AND the length to width comparision is not too skewed, then you could reasonably give a try at your own risk. However, I think your other choice of just using the mojo slider off might make for more comfort at the exit. I believe the stock procedure now is to supply a small mesh slider with CR products, though if you want the large mesh I think they will supply that still by request - I know i have some of each. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Well, I don't have all that many different objects, but I do have more than one of each type and do consider myself a BASE jumper. I vote, keep the list. It is fine just as it is, or with any changes Nick wants to make - its his list until he wants to close it or pass it on. If you are not ready to die, you shouldn't be BASE jumping. This list helps people decide if their Risk to Fun Ratio is appropriate. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Something here bears repeating: pay the price. pay the price. pay the price. pay the price. pay the price. pay the price. Also, while I am in a posting mode, some mention has been made here of "nuggets" Here is one I consider quite usefull and imporant, for that time when you are being rushed (by yourself or others) and it WILL happen: "Remember, the last thing you pack is the first thing you need to work right" Oh, and that one about do you expect to die base jumping. YES, but at my age and/or attitude it hardly matters. I will try my best to avoid anyone having to fish through bloody and mushy pockets for car keys. :) Sorry to combine things, but the thread is "right reasons" and maybe this stuff is almost on topic. Permanent view, :) t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Oh yeah, that's a great idea...good luck with that. I PCA'd TM off the bridge here with a similar setup a few months ago. It was...interesting. Hey, thats my water rig you are talking about! [ also landed it on land during higher winds a couple of times]. Theres video :) ;) :)

How can you know that the canopy is being spun up by the orbitin PC. Perhaps the PC is being made to orbit by the slider up canopy opening and squirriling around, as they sometimes do. t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

The below is from the 16 Oct 04 Twin Falls Times-News paper. it i from the "Letters" section and is titled "Close Perrine Bridge now to halt suicides" "Well, yet another suicide jump off the Perrine Bridge. That makes, I believe at least five in the last year. Tragically three or four have died in separate incidents during the hundreds (if not thousands) of BASE jumps in the past few years. So, the numbers speak for themselves. Less than 1 percent for the BASE jumpers vs. 100 percent for the potential suicides. The percentages are astounding. We should close the bridge to all future suicides. They are far more deadly than the BASE jumps. WE must stop them now! Jeff Webster Twin Falls "

There is one over on Page 5 here. ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

BUMP Yeah, The new peole (like over 3000 US D-license numbers) will never understand. I always thought your jumps were cooler than cool Bill. t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Hi Sam, Well, I did do 4 a day with the demo rig. Mostly do 3 though, as that is all the containers I own right now (well, except that strato cloud in the wonder hog). That is exactly the reason I wrote up the comparison to the Fox, because they were pretty much the same size. I don't think it is really fair to compare landing, and flying characteristics between large size differences. That said, I can say that trying to subtract the size difference, I like the Rock Dragon better than any other canopy I have jumped (Though I only hae 3 to 5 jumps on the Flik and the Troll canopies, and don't feel that is enough to know about them ). I don't dislike any of the BASE canopies on the market, but until things change, the RockDragon is my favorite. As I mentioned to Blair, testing will continue! Anyway, your Blackjack should serve you well, and I saw you get excellent heading and landing resultswith it when you were here. So, no need to run out and sell it - they are fine canopies, though I know the Australians prefer less "hot" canopies. Thats another topic I guess. BUT, when it comes time for that "second rig", you might seriously consider the Rock Dragon. As I mentioned in the Review, jumping something yourself is the true test of how a canopy will do for YOU, though I am happy to share what they do for me. Take it easy, hi to Lonnie. t

Hi Blair, WEll, I had pretty much confirmed that most all BASE canopies have the same heading performance. That is, they all will open off heading some time at about the same rate (when you least want them too!) In jumping my Fox,Dagger,and Blackjack, I saw all of the get off headings and at one time or another 180's. 20 to 30 degree openings were quite common, and may have been due to winds, unsymetrical packing and/or any of the other known things that can effect opening. I jumped these canopies about 45 minutes apart usually in the early morning with little or no wind. Then I met the Rock Dragon. The movie posted here pretty much tells the story - Dead Bang on headings with full pressurization ready to fly. I mean, they were all pretty much just like that movie - not 10 or 20 degrees or even 5 off. Why? I don't know, but I was really impressed. I tried to send the canopy back to Jimmy and Marta - had it all boxed up but just couldn't walk through the UPS door. I sent the harness/container and pilot chute back. Called them and told them they couldn't have the canopy back and we would work out the payment later. They, being the good natured souls they are, bought it, so I'm keeping the canopy for further testing. . Thanks to Steve for posting that movie. The other canopy is an unvented Fox. It had about a 180 opening due mostly to the jumper doing a standup position prior to deployment to help save stress on his sore neck. The fluttering is pretty typical of unvented canopies. Now, where did I put those small PCs and sliders? later, t

Environment for the jumps: 486 foot high Span. Rig: Vertigo Rock Dragon 288 in a Warlock container - weight=15.5 pounds. Jumper: Weight 200 pounds Exit weight: 215.5 pounds Number of Jumps: 10 I jumped my Fox right after the Rock Dragon (about 45 minutes later), to get similar conditions. Also, I should say that I am just interested in all BASE equipment and did these jumps for my own education. I am NOT paid by, sponsered by, or employed by Vertigo or any BASE equipment manufacturer. These impressions are just mine. Also, it is fine to try and learn about BASE from written material and talking to people, but ONE JUMP on a canopy will tell you more for yourself than reading ten reviews by others. Observations: Glide - This was by no means a "scientific" test, but a practical one, with attempts to equalize deployment altitude and flight profile. Both the Fox and the Rock Dragon opened in about a count of "3 thousand". For the Rock Dragon jump, the wind seemed about the same, but a little more headwind component at times. Even so, it glided about 50 feet further than the Fox. As in all other comparisons, the Rock Dragon seems to beat out the Fox. Turns - Turns are quite responsive. Just what I would want for a BASE canopy. It turns better than my Fox, ie, quicker and less "slip" or "slide". Sinking - It sinks nicely and slow flight is nice. Transitions from an easy sink to landing went well. Heading - Headings were spot on for all jumps. Even though both canopies opened in about a count of "3 thousand", The Rock Dragon opened very crisply and DEAD ON HEADING. It opened like this for all the jumps. I mean, it was not even 5 degrees off. Now, granted, this is not a statistically relevant sample, but lets just say the other canopies i jumped each day had much worse results, and the Fox had a 180. I finally got tired of the perfect openings and did a side launch, slanting my body and dipping a shoulder. I was able to get a 90 degree opening that way. I have the most confidence about heading for this canopy than any other I have tried. Now, this might not be true over 500 jumps, or might not be true for ALL Rock Dragons, but this one gave me the gut feeling that the Rock Dragon could end up being the "Heading Champion" of all canopies! If you do a reasonably symmetrical pack job, and give it a reasonably symmetrical body position at exit, it should be on heading for you. I never have felt this positive about any other canopy. Opening - Crisp, quick and fully inflated, ready to go! In addition to being on heading, the Rock Dragon was completely open immediately (all cells inflated) and ready to fly or receive riser inputs. Rear Riser turns - Being immediately ready for input, I simulated a back-off and turn away from a solid object. I grabbed both risers, slid the canopy backwards, and transitioned into a turn away. The response was great, and the Rock Dragon behaved as it was designed to for this low altitude scenario. Toggles and Tail Pocket. The toggles are Vertigos Pin type, the same as on the Dagger. These are a good system with none of the problems from the old "Zoo" type. You do need to remember to "snug" the tension up on them. Properly tensioned, these toggles seem to wear quite well, better than some other types. They also accept the WLO toggles Vertigo makes for clearing lineovers. However, the lower control lines on the canopy are universal, and will fit into any container/riser on the market. The Tailpocket is a good design, the same as on the Dagger. It is quite secure, and I have never found it open at all after jumping. I am quite confident the lines are only coming out of the center opening as they were designed to do. Landing - In no wind at the landing area, the flare seems not to have a lot of "low end" or last minute lift. My Fox seems to "float" me at the end for a softer landing. I had no trouble standing up the Rock Dragon and running it out, but it just isn't landing quite as nice as the fox. Perfectly acceptable, though not quite as soft as the Fox. Although easily run out, it lands with a slap and a runout, compared to a foxes tap and a runout. After a few jumps, I seem to develop a feel for it and the landings became the same as my Fox. So, if you have a few at first that are slightly harder than usual, be patient. I was checking out its "sinking", and it slow flys and transitions to a sink smoothly. While doing this sink, I got off to the side some and in trying to recover and steer back to landing, I got headed towards a tree. I could see that I would just miss the tree or perhaps skim through the top. As my feet slapped through the tree top, I flared and the Rock Dragon responded quickly and pulled me out giving me a nice no-wind landing runout. Size of packing - seems much smaller than a Fox. Vertigo says the container the canopy is in is one of their jump course containers. It was made for a Dagger 277, but the Rock Dragon 288 seems to go in fine, yet a little tight. It looks pretty nice and compact though. I would say, if you had a container made for a Dagger, that the same size Rock Dragon would fit in it well. Vertigo says the Rock Dragons might pack a bit larger than a Dagger due to the vents and covers, but that doesn't seem to be a big factor with this rig. It is 1 inch "thinner" than a Fox and that should help cut down some bulk also. =============================================== Measurements: Rock Dragon: Center Cell "thickness" -- 14 inches Center Cell "Width" [measured about 24 inches back from leading edge] : Bottom Skin -- 38 inches Top Skin -- 40 inches One cell over from center, Bottom Skin -- 35 inches Mesh is 2 cells wide, 12 inches "deep" (starts 20 inches from leading edge and goes to line attach point). Lines are 4 inches longer than a Fox 285. Center A & B lines are slightly shorter than the other lines (like the Dagger). This is some canopy shaping they do. Vertigo explains: "the center a's and b's are shorter because they are continuous. When the canopy is inflated they equal the length of the cascaded lines(which are longer when next to each other but shorten overall when spread apart-when the canopy is inflated.) This is a super minor trim aspect in canopies this size, but every little bit helps and continuous lines that are not a bit shorter will be that much out of trim when the canopy is open. We use continuous center a's and b's because this is where the most stress is on opening no matter what the canopy(skydiving or BASE). We actually use 1000 pound Dacron for the center a's." FOX: Center Cell "thickness" -- 15 inches Center Cell "Width" [measured about 24 inches back from leading edge] : Bottom Skin -- 38 inches Top Skin -- 41 inches If you lay out a 285 Fox on the ground and lay out a 288 Rock Dragon on top of it, they are really about the same size - within an inch or so. This Canopy is perfectly suited for jumping at Moab or any critical BASE jump. I would guess that jumpers in Australia will really like this parachute. Anyone thinking of buying a BASE canopy should SERIOUSLY consider this one. It is a keeper. The canopy is so new that Vertigo hasn't been able to get any information on their web site, but hopefully that will change soon. Contact the manufacturer, Vertigo at: Vertigo Base Outfitters PO Box 1304 Moab, Utah 84532 phone /fax (435) 259-1085 http://www.vertigobase.com/ [email protected]

Interview with the inventor of the GAP method of packing a BASE parachute. Also serving as a GAP FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions. What does the name GAP mean? GAP stands for Gravity Assisted Packing, so the word "packing" is already in the name. I just know people won't remember this and before long someone, if not everyone, will be saying " Do you GAP pack?", instead of "Are you using the GAP method?". But, that's just the way of acronyms I guess. OK, That's what it stands for, what is it? It is just another method of packing a BASE parachute, beginning in the standing position and using gravity to help align the material. So, is it just PRO packing? NO, absolutely not. First of all, if you are PRO packing you are packing a skydiving parachute, not a BASE one. Just because you begin your packing in the standing position doesn't mean you are PRO packing. There are numerous differences in the GAP method and even other BASE packing methods that begin standing up. Besides, if you use PRO packing for your skydiving rig, or some other BASE method that involves standing up, that doesn't automatically mean you owe me royalty money for using my method. So, there are fees for using the GAP method. Oh, yes. It is a different and more efficient method that takes less time. It is so different that I have patented it and will be requiring a royalty of $2 per packjob, or a lifetime license for $200. The lifetime license includes free consultation with me (however, you have to come where I am - probably the best place to catch up with me is at the Perrine Bridge in Idaho.) Eventually we will have a cadre of GAP certified instructors who also will be able to do consulting, free of charge for license holders. I also have been talking to one of the major BASE equipment manufacturers about a license to teach this method in their first jump course, and pass on a license (for some additional fee) to their students. A video will eventually be available for those with internet access. What makes the GAP method different from other "stand up" packing techniques? Well, you must look at the purpose of packing. The original purpose of packing a parachute had nothing to do with "heading" or even so much with reliability! A parachute was originally an emergency device and the purpose of packing it was simply to make that huge cloth thing above your head fit into a container that was convenient to carry about and fly an aircraft while wearing. Now we who jump intentionally have come to expect more from a pack job,though with BASE packing, I always say it is a superstitious ritual we go through in order to comfortably FORGET about it when standing on the edge! Consequently, the GAP method will allow you to know you are using a method that gives as good heading performance (based on hundreds of test jumps) as any other packing method, and is also just as reliable. There is no reason to switch from a method you now feel comfortable with, since you have that comfort, which is the purpose of packing in BASE. However, if you like the GAP method, you may be assured it is just as effective as any other method. There is absolutely no problem with any of the methods taught by any of the major manufacturers or instructors I have seen, so if you like the way you were taught, by all means continue to use that way. Can you give some specific technical differences that would require someone to pay a royalty for using the GAP techniques? Sure, first, just because you pack standing up doesn't mean a GAP license is required! Some of the techniques that require a license are: 1. Folding and "dressing" the tail while standing. 2. Using clamps to hold the suspension lines in the center of the pack job. (Especially the "C" and "D" groups). 3. Cocooning the packjob to semi-final state while standing. 4. Minimal internal "dressing", after laying the cocooned bundle down. This includes no further dressing of the top of the canopy, slight smoothing of the tail, tightening the suspension line groups and final cocooning of the packjob with clamps. At this point the pack job looks very much like a regular pack job, but has reached this point quite a bit quicker. Of course, you may do additional "dressing" or folding just like you would on a regular pack job to maximize your "comfort level" for those more demanding jumps where high confidence is needed in your packjob. Those are some basic differences that require a GAP license. So, how do you make sure you will get paid from users? Well, if I, or any GAP instructor, notice someone using the GAP method and they are not licensed, we will educate them about the royalty requirement. I sure don't intend to have "GAP police". Obviously if you pack in the privacy of your own bedroom I won't know. BUT, I have high confidence in the moral values of BASE jumpers and trust them to do the right thing.

I thought this was interesting, so I am sharing the method I used to find an exit point recently. Ok, first take a plane to Xxxxxxxxxxx. (you didn't think I was gonna name names did ya tom?). WE got to the small town of Xxxxxxxxxxxxx and started looking for an exit point to jump. the first day was rain, so we hiked up looking for a place to jump from. We looked, and looked and got disappointed and decided to quit, but we saw a lady outside and asked her if she knew how to get to the trail the BASE jumpers use. She said yes, she know the way. She told us, just go back down the trail to the barn with the black sheep, then take the grassy trail down by the barn to another trail and keep going until you come to the white sheep (BUT, the white sheep MIGHT be in the woods), then take the right trail and keep going, but she hears the hike is more dangerous than to jump...... Best directions I ever had, cause we found the exit..... So I made 2 jumps from there and thingswent well. Wasn't that special? :) ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Quote >> I do not believe it is possible to fly and land a >> Black Jack at the same speed as a FOX and if it >> were I believe it would take a lot of practice. >> Flying in brakes is necessary sometimes but it >> means you are deforming the wing and hence >> the more brake you have to use the less >> efficient your wing is going to be. I do not >> believe all canopies should have as little forward >> speed as a FOX, there needs to be a balance. -----So, If I read you correctly, you feel the Blackjack can not be slowed down enough to match the fox? This might be generally true,but I have found my Blackjack to be quite acceptable for sinking into small areas. Granted, I have never been to Australia, and wouldn't begin to say that my jumping experiences equal those areas you guys have to accept as normal. I think a Blackjack could compete with a fox. Also, if you vary your loading to suit your needs, would that help you? Like, get a bit bigger Blackjack which should fly slower for you (I agree you probably would not want the composite top for Australia). My Blackjack is a size 310 and my Fox is a 285. I weigh 200 naked, subject to slight loss on my summer activity. I have only a few demo jumps on a Flik, so I can't really give info on that, but my gut feeling is that the Flik is better than the Fox, in an all around fashion. I still have a Fox, but it has vent covers and 5th line installed (only one jump so far on the 5th line). The covers made a huge difference on the landing - doesn't pound me in like it did before. >> To date 6 jumpers in Oz believe the 5th upper >> control line on a FLiK/FOX make the canopy to >> difficult to fly safely. Why? Do you think it turns too fast, stalls too quickly, has less slow speed control or what? I am interested as I have the 5th line now and will be looking for differences, so info from you guys is appreciated. >> In my opinion a faster canopy has the potential >> to result in the following disadvantages: >> * Harder to sink at steep angles for extended >> lengths of time (as required >> when sinking into a small landing area >> surrounded by 20ft trees) >> * Landings with little forward momentum tend to >> be harder to achieve >> * Landings with forward momentum require >> several steps to be taken when touching down >> (more suited to landing areas without large >> rocks & not on steep slopes) >> * Object strikes when landing have the potential >> to be harder >> * Has potential to generate more speed in turns >> * Potential to surge more erratically when >> transitioning from a deep sink to drive >> * More difficult to establish ideal brake settings >> for various openings (slider down, sub-terminal >> slider up etc.) due to increased sensitivity >> * Less time to make decisions while under >> canopy >> In Oz the landing areas are primarily steep >> slopes or covered in large rocks >> ........ the thought of jumping one (a Blackjack) >> in Oz scares me. -------- Again, I say LOADING. By all means I am a big proponent of jumping what meets YOUR needs. I have found that the only way to tell is by getting hold of a canopy and jumping it. (Thats how I came to have so many damn rigs). If possible get a Flik and a Blackjack and jump them. I have nothing against a Flik, i think BR makes solid gear. I feel and fly a bit better with the Blackjack. (Even compared to a same size ACE - I think the vents make a difference, even though the makers say it shouldn't) I felt sort of the same way with the vented Troll - it is a ok canopy, but i feel better with the Blackjack. >> There is an experienced Oz jumper who even >> believes a FLiK is too fast for our conditions. >> While I understand where he is coming from you >> have balance the overall performance of both >> canopies. -------- Did I mention Loading yet? It really makes things different if you get a bigger canopy, and with my Blackjack, even when I get down to 185, I still have enough forward speed for the winds BASE should be done with. And, I ain't afraid of landing backward in a large field like landing area, like several towers we jump. >> I am about to purchase a larger FLiK but I would >> be willing to change the order to Blackjack. -----By all means make the best decision you are able to and for Australia, go BIG (I think anyway). If there is anyway to get a jump on the size and brand you want, that will tell you more than eveyones opinion about their situation. I really think you have the right attitude about getting the canopy that will do best for you, so good luck in your search. This probably wasn't much help, I found I had to jump the rigs to find out and just one weekend of it wasn't enough - need various conditions and especially with no wind. Hey, if nothing else, this can serve as something for Tom to bounce off of!!! later ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

There's a Day BASE? I need a trip to the tater S... Hmmm, well i didn't mean to cause confusion. I wanted to show that my night base was different, so I wrote it that way to seperate the two. "Day BASE" is just regular BASE. Amazing how these typing machines never say what you really mean. t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Rod Says: "Always keep something between you and the stinger...like another jumper." HEY, did I tell you that or have you been doing that to me? S wind sucks ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Interesting query. For Day BASE I went: S,E,A,B But for Night BASE it Went: S,B,E,A ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Thanks for reminding me. I should have mentioned that I just had the tail pocket velcro replaced also. I did push that a little, but was jumping in at a popular bridge in the Northwest and let it go a bit longer. When I left the bridge last November, I shipped the canopy off for inspection and repair, control line replacement etc. One of the things I asked them to do was replace the velcro, and yes, after 300 jumps, it did need replacing, but the tail pocket seemed to still be doing the job, it was just beginning to get weak. OH, away from the canopy, I also had velcro replaced on the container anda new shrivel flap made. > Lately I've been worried that line dump before stretch could cause all sorts of problems My procedure/recommendation - ? If I am worried about something on my BASE rig, I fix it or get it fixed. It is worth it just so you don't think about it when you are standing onthe edge going, 3-2-1, or whatever. :) t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

JASON, Man, glad you came out of that ok. I don't like the idea of doing a rollover off those short ones (that one in the pic looks strangely familier!). But, let me recommend you do some (a lot) of tards off the P. Bridge before you try it off other stuff. I say that because I really do believe the probablility for off heading is more on the tard, at least when learning. Of courese, your mileage may vary, but I had one of the neatese, quickest, cleanest 180 openings on a tard at the bridge. Personal taste is always sour though I guess. Hey, answer my email I sent you, unless you didn't get it. Again, glad you came out ok. I recently had a 200 left opening on a similar tower, but 320feet high. Good news: I missed the building, the tower, and the fence. Bad news: I hit the tree. Gooder news, I am ok but the canopy had to go to the repair hospital. Be careful man, cause you is one of my fabvorite people [at least during the holidays :)] . Gee, don't you people have any taller towers around there? I wouldn't jump those low ones :) later, t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

I have 4 base canopies that I have been jumping. The one with the most jumps is my Fox 285. It has no water or tree landings and has a little over 300 jumps on it, mostly slider off. I consider it still quite airworthy and as most of the jumps were slider off, it doesn't even need a line replacement yet. The things I have had done are: Vent covers, steering line replacements. The most regular wear I have is the brake stow loops, which I have changed out the lower steering lines 2 or 3 times. So, I think a BASE canopy can go for quite a few jumps, depending on water landings which do take a toll. Also, "combat packing" in dirt and sun conditions can do more damage than on a skydiving canopy that is packed indoors on a carpet. Would I buy a canopy for BASE with 300 jumps. Maybe, if it was like my Fox. It might do just fine for someone starting base who wanted to feel it out and would end up putting less than 100 jumps on it. Sooner or later you will want two or more canopies anyway, and having one for those jumps where you don't want to lose the new one can be useful (as long as the one you are willing to lose is still serviceable, and not ragged out - Any BASE jump requires a serviceable canopy). Ok, hope that was clear or at least lukewarm. :) t ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

OK, don't ask how I found this out, but I thought it might be helpful for some. It is derived from an information sheet put out by a hospital emergency room. Instructions In Case of Injury - SPRAINS (NO Broken Bones) What you should know: A sprain is caused when you have a sudden injury to a joint (wrist, ankle, knee etc.). You probably should get an X-ray to rule out broken bones - at times a clean break can feel no more (or less) painful than a sprain. MOST of the time a sprain should be well in 4 to 6 weeks [for an ankle, 6 to 8 weeks for a wrist] - WITH TREATMENT. You may have weakness/soreness for up to 6 - 18 months after injury. Put ice on an injury for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a waterproof (plastic works) bag and place a towel between the bag and your skin. Imersion in a bucket of ice/water can work too, but take care not to over chill. After the first 1 to 2 days, you may put heat on the injury to help lessen the pain. A heating pad set on low, a whirlpool (or just a regular bath), or warm, moist towels for 15 to 20 minutes of every hour -- continue heat treatments for 48 hours. The microwave heat packs can work too, just be very careful not to over heat! Heat producin creams may give some comfort also. Move your fingers or toes a few times an hour to prevent joint stiffness - AS PAIN ALLOWS. For 48 to 72 hours keep the injury lifted above the level of your heart whenever possible to lessen pain and swelling. Activity - After the first 48 hours, you may walk as the pain allows, however rest for longer may be reqired. Slowly use the injured part more as pain allows (NOT if you are still taking pain killing medication though!) An elastic wrap (ACE bandage) may help with pain. Take care the wrap is not TOO tight so as to cause numbness or tingling. Contact your doctor or place of treatment if: Brusing, swelling or pain gets worse. Fingers or toes beyond an in injury feel cold when you touch them (but this doesn't apply if you have just taken ice off!) Fingers or toes beyond the injury are numb or blue. After about 3 or 4 weeks -As your pain allows- begin treatment by exercise of the injured area. Do not work like a body builder, but rather more like a yoga instructor. Movement emphasizing stretching, range of motion, - lightly loaded movements for as long as you are able to do so without causing pain or further injury. Good Luck! ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.

Original Link: http://www.magicvalley.com/news/localstate/index.asp?StoryID=6201 BASE jumpers, grieving father open dialogue to avert lawsuit By Sandy Miller Times-News writer TWIN FALLS -- It's quite a spectacular view from the Perrine Bridge. That's just one of the things Littlejohn Keogh loves about the sport of BASE jumping. "It is the most individualistic thing I've ever done," said Keogh, who owns a Web site development company in Portland, Ore., and has made four jumps from the Perrine Bridge. "It's the one time where you are the most responsible for yourself." BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. The extreme sports enthusiasts jump with parachutes from tall structures, and the 486-foot drop from the Perrine Bridge is a favorite of jumpers from around the world. Keogh is a relative newcomer to the sport, having made his first jump in May. He said he and other BASE jumpers want safety just as much as Wayne Stout, a Utah man and father of 24-year-old BASE jumper Brian Stout of Gilbert, Ariz., who was killed in a jump off the Perrine Bridge in June 2002. But they might differ in how to go about it. "There is a lot of room in the sport for good education," Keogh said. "I don't think there's a lot of room for official oversight." JEREMY STOA/The Times-News Originally planned to be a small candle lighting ceremony as a gesture of thanks to previous jumpers, followed by BASE jumping from the Perrine bridge, Saturday's "candle jump" turned out to be just another leap. With most jumpers at an annual event in West Virginia, there just weren't enough to go through with the candle jump. However, that didn't stop Kansas City resident Bob Scheier (front) and Bozeman, Montana, resident Katie Hansen from enjoying one last freefall before the sun went down. In the year and four months since his son died, Stout tossed and turned over the idea of filing a lawsuit against the state of Idaho, which owns the Perrine Bridge. And when 30-year-old Jason John Corcoran of Wexford, Pa., was killed in a jump off the Perrine a week and a half ago, Stout said it convinced him to file a lawsuit. But Stout said he put that plan on hold after BASE jumpers Jason Bell and Tom Aiello contacted him recently. The doors of communication were opened. Now, the three are talking about ways to make BASE jumping safer while allowing the bridge to remain open for all BASE jumpers to enjoy, Stout said. "We realized we all have the same goal, and that goal is to save lives," Stout said. Attempts to reach Aiello by e-mail Friday were unsuccessful. Aiello and many others in the BASE community had traveled to Fayetteville, W.Va., for Bridge Day, an annual, one-day BASE jumping event held Saturday at the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge. What Stout would like to see is a pamphlet called "Brian's Paper" which would contain basic BASE jumping safety tips along with information about the correct gear configuration for making particular jumps off the Perrine Bridge. He said if his son had been using the appropriate gear, he wouldn't have died that day. "I'm convinced my son should not be dead," Stout said. "The equipment my son was using was not appropriate for that jump." Stout said he gets the feeling BASE jumpers want to regulate themselves. But he wants to see a little more oversight, such as spot checks made by the appropriate authorities to make sure jumpers had read and understood "Brian's Paper." "I am willing to negotiate an approach to safety with minimal regulatory oversight," Stout said. "I want BASE jumpers to have to acknowledge the document. After they've signed it, they get a copy, and the regulatory government body gets a copy. Then there would be some kind of spot check enforcement. I don't think that's an overly burdensome price to pay." Stout said the next step is to bring everyone together. He plans to talk further with Bell and Aiello this week. "For the first time since my son's death, I'm finally getting some people to listen to me and talk to me," Stout said. "We need to sit down with the mindset that we're all here to save a life. I'm just bringing the ideas. I want the experts to make the decision with my input." Those experts include BASE jumpers themselves and whatever regulatory agencies have jurisdiction on the Perrine Bridge. "They have the knowledge and skills to put together these procedures." But there's one thing Stout won't compromise on. "I've got to have Brian's Paper," he said. And what about liability waivers? There are many questions. For instance, who would jumpers release from liability? The state of Idaho, which owns the bridge? Would someone sue Twin Falls County or Jerome County? The bridge sits on the county line. Keogh said such a waiver would have to release every entity and person from liability. But he doesn't think most jumpers would mind signing such a waiver. "Jumpers by and large feel the responsibility is their own and would be more than willing to release everyone from liability," Keogh said. "It is every BASE jumper's desire that no one is liable except the jumper." Stout said "Brian's Paper" would especially protect beginning jumpers, the "newbies." Though his son Brian had made about a hundred skydives, he was killed making his 12th BASE jump. Most of all, Stout doesn't want other parents to suffer the loss of a child like he did. He said his son's death was meaningless, but "Brian's Paper" could change that. "I have spent 16 months grieving my son," Stout said. "There was nothing worthy about my son's death, and I'm struggling very hard. If it saves one life, which it will, my son's death becomes more meaningful."

BASE jumper's death revives debate By Sandy Miller Times-News writer TWIN FALLS -- The death of a BASE jumper Thursday afternoon has reignited debate about whether local officials should regulate or outlaw jumping from the Perrine Bridge. Meanwhile, the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Department Friday identified the jumper as 30-year-old Jason John Corcoran of Wexford, Pa. Nancy Howell, public information officer and victims' coordinator for the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Department, said Corcoran was one of a group of seven jumpers visiting Idaho from Pennsylvania. Witnesses said Corcoran had attempted a forward back flip and deployed his "pilot" chute, but the main chute did not open. BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. The extreme sports enthusiasts jump with parachutes from tall structures, and the 486-foot drop from the Perrine Bridge is a favorite of jumpers from around the world. It's the only bridge in the country where people are allowed to BASE jump year-round. This was the third fatality to result from BASE jumping in Twin Falls County. The last fatality was in June 2002, when 24-year-old Brian Stout of Gilbert, Ariz., fell to his death. Another jumper was killed in February 2000 while jumping from the Hansen Bridge. At other locations across the country, BASE jumping has either been outlawed or restricted. Fayetteville, W.Va., will hold its annual BASE jumping event today and tomorrow, the only two days of the year that people are allowed to BASE jump off the New River Gorge Bridge. All jumpers will have to sign waivers which free the county and state from any liability should they be injured or killed. The waivers also include questions about experience, equipment and swimming ability as well as an emergency contact number, said Paul H. Roberts, a BASE jumper and military paratrooper. Roberts, who has been parachuting for 30 years and says he was one of the first to BASE jump off the Perrine Bridge in 1989, said Twin Falls and Jerome counties would be wise to sit up and take notice from officials in Fayetteville. "I don't want to ban it. I want it regulated," Roberts said. BASE jumpers pump thousands of dollars into the local economy. Kent Just, executive of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, estimated that jumpers bring at least $250,000 to local businesses each year. But Roberts questioned that way of thinking. "These guys around here are being blind in one eye about this," Roberts said. "Sure, it draws in revenue, but what about a lawsuit?" So far, there's never been a lawsuit stemming from a death or accident of a Perrine Bridge BASE jumper. But that could soon change. Wayne Stout of St. George, Utah, said hearing of Corcoran's death convinced him he needs to sue the state of Idaho for the death of his son, Brian, last year. He said if BASE jumping off the Perrine Bridge had been regulated, it would have been discovered that his son did not have the correct gear configuration for doing the coordinated jump with seven other BASE jumpers. "My son's death could have been prevented," Stout said in a phone interview Friday. "The state of Idaho is a contributing factor in my son's death. There's a two-year window, and my plans are to sue the state of Idaho. My son should not be dead." Twin Falls County Sheriff Wayne Tousley said he has no problem with BASE jumpers as long as they're not causing traffic problems. "As long as they're not hindering traffic on the bridge, they're not breaking any law," Tousley said. "If I regulate BASE jumping, am I going to regulate rock climbing and whitewater rafting?" Jim Guyer of Overland Park, Kan., doesn't intend to stop BASE jumping anytime soon. Guyer, who is 75 years old, made 10 jumps from the Perrine Bridge in August and several jumps the previous year as well. "It can't be very dangerous if an old guy like me can frequently make BASE jumps without injury," Guyer wrote in a letter to the editor in today's Times-News. But Roberts said it doesn't matter how many jumps you've made. There will always be risks involved. "There are no experts," Roberts said. "Anyone who tells you that is a liar or a fool." Stout agreed. Out of the eight jumpers who performed that coordinated jump off Perrine Bridge with his son, three are dead. Dr. Nikolas Hartshorne, a deputy state medical examiner from Portland, Ore., who had tried to save Brian's life, was killed just two weeks later in a BASE jump from "The Nose" -- a 1,300-foot cliff in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in central Switzerland. Then just last weekend, BASE jumper Dwain Weston was killed jumping off Royal Gorge Bridge in Canyon City, Colo., Stout said. "It's not only an extreme sport, it's a dangerous extreme sport," Stout said. "If I have my way, I'm going to do something about it." Stout said he feels sadness for Corcoran's family. "I know what this family will go through," Stout said. "I'm still going though it. Brian was a good person, and he was happy about life. I miss him every day." Times-News writer Sandy Miller can be reached at 735-3264 or by e-mail at [email protected].

> The troll must of come out from under the bridge for some sunshine. >Now, come home and let's climb something, you wuss!! HEY, Trolls need love too! AND, Ill have you know I climb out of this canyon 4 or 5 times a day, just like vitamins! But, I will be back soon and ready for some climbing there. later ========================================== I didn't invent skydiving, but I jumped with the guys who did.