BrianSGermain

The Safety First Segment begins at 33 minutes into the show. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

On Skydive Radio # 191, [Url]http://traffic.libsyn.com/skydiveradio/sr191_07_03_13.mp3[/url] we discussed some possible methods for recovering from spinning linetwists on a high performance canopy. I would love to hear more thoughts on the topic. So here is the question: "Has anyone had luck with getting out of spinning line twists on a high performance canopy, and if so, how?" Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

It is true that spin recovery is and will continue to be a core facet of any good wingsuit training program. I cannot accept, however, that there is just one way to solve the problem. This is the reason why I posted the question in the wingsuit forum, and as I expected, the answers varied widely. Hugely illuminating discussion. What if one was to ask the question, "Has anyone had luck with getting out of spinning line twists on a high performance canopy, and if so, how?" This is the same quality of question, and the same kind of information that I (we) desire. I do not want one cookie-cutter answer. Schools, public or skydiving, always come up with one-size-fits-all answers, simply because it is easier to put into a curriculum. Is this the absolute truth? Of course not. I want to learn and spread a wider spectrum of truth that leads to a lasting safety in our sport. If you, Doug, were to ask a simple question about linetwists in the canopy forum, would some suggest that you should not be allowed to fly a high performance parachute? It seems to me that for your passion to learn, you should be should be rewarded rather than ridiculed. Your desire for answers is what keeps you safe. I would answer you, as a caring member of the canopy community with everything I have to offer, and think, wow, that guys cares about his safety and the safety of those around him. Good on him for asking a thought-provoking question to take our paradigm beyond where it has been before. I would hope that the wingsuit flock would be as loving and supportive of those within its ranks. We are all in this together. -Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I truly appreciate your comments, Doug. I agree that a healthy respect for the dangers must lead us to a slow, methodical progression though suit sizes. The growing preponderance of large suits makes it relatively easy to get hold of something inappropriate, and this can lead to disaster. The drive to downsize parachutes too quickly is quite similar, but there is more comunity support for the prevention of inappropriate canopy progression than there is for accelerated wingsuit progression. I think this is because many consider it to be "just a jumpsuit". As someone who has felt the wrath of an angry wingsuit, I agree that this issue must be taken very seriously. So, my dear Doug, I concur. This video may lead a terrible example. It also, on the other hand, may offer a dream. Many do not undersrand what it is like to fly a Wingsuit over beautiful terrain. I have heard some say that they tried flying a Wingsuit once and it just struck them as a "boring solo". Perhaps videos like this, with the grandeur and excitement of trying a new prototype will draw forth the power of the dream of flight, and drive more people toward this exciting branch of our sport. As for my comments about it being a large suit, I was merely trying to get the viewer into the mindset I was feeling at the time. These were monumental, mind-opening flights for me, and I will never forget them. Regarding my curiosity regarding flat spin recovery techniques, perhaps it is a mundane discussion akin to asking how to flare, but if we do not ask these questions with a fresh open mindset, we are bound by our arrogance. To belief that the dominant paradigm is the only possible methodology is to limit how how good we can become, and how safe. Let's all keep asking the simple questions, and reaching evermore for better and better answers. Onward to better! Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Keep in mind that this is not a "standard" Jedi. It is 4 inches longer in the tail. If that makes it the largest suit in the air right now, I am now not absolutely certain. I do know that very soon there will be even larger, better flying suits that will make this one look small. For now, it is definitely one of the biggest. Nevertheless, I meant no offense to anyone flying a massive magic carpet. Props to all of you. You are all worthy of huge respect. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Check out this video on YouTube: Enjoy!!! "Wingsuit Flight in Norway" http://youtu.be/LU6iN1QLH50 Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I agree, that was a fantastic explanation. I am wondering if anyone else out there has tried the head down dive-out-of-it recovery method? Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Has anyone had any success in stopping a high speed flat spin on a large wingsuit? What techniques, beyond pulling and hoping, have people tried? Thank you! Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Check out this video on YouTube: "Only Superheros Can Fly" By Brian Germain http://youtu.be/yTFahA7Urck Brian Germain Teacher/Author/Speaker Parachute Designer/Test Pilot and Fear Management Specialist +1 (301) 646-0761 www.BigAirSportz.com www.FearGuy.com Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Actually, when I fly wingsuits, I look straight ahead through most of the deployment. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Yup. I always watch the pilot chute go and then rotate my headro watch the deployment looking straight back. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Nope. The skyhook/RSL webbing in a bit too short for these risers, and it slips out. Not a big deal. I thought of duct taping it... ;-) I am taking a closer look at solutions, since several people have made the same observation. I don't think it is a safety issue, but it is distracting in the video. Thanks for the input! Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Check out my new short video on YouTube: "Forsake the Ground" Filmed in Voss Norway Amazing music, lovely unusual POV footage. Enjoy! http://youtu.be/tYqwYJoUw0s Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Once the canopy was functional, I spent a good deal of time inspecting it and flying it to ensure safety. I also spent dedicated time to softening my adrenalin, as is clarified in the first video "parachute malfunction recovery": [Url]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-17AHJQQ8fA[/url] Since the vast majority of my landings over the past twenty years have been high performance approaches, given the huge landing area and complete lack of traffic, following my standard landing pattern seemed appropriate. I was surprised that I was not able to hold the front risers down, but if you notice, by switching to a coordinated harness and toggle turn, I still maintained my speed to the ground. This is why is it is so important to have multiple options for your approach, and to stay current with all of them. That being said, had I been more current with a straight in approach, that would have been the "conservative" option. I took this as a lesson to rehearse box pattern approaches on my high performance canopies more. In this case, I feel I did the correct approach for the circumstances. I do not think that this would be the correct choice for everyone, but it worked fine for me. I cannot argue with success. Thanks for pondering safety. -Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I am quite certain that I could have cutaway at any point. The brake lines might have been bouncing off my hands, but they did not entangle with my hands at all. That bring said, I truly appreciate the comment, as you point out a possibility that I had not considered. Again, I continue to teach that it is best to keep the toggles stowed in a line twist. If you can't work it out, chop it. I truly appreciate your insight. Thank you. -Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Please watch this video. There are lessons to be learned from spinning for 80 seconds, beyond just "don't do that again". Clearly, however, that was one of the lessons... ;-) [Url]http://youtu.be/QVRRmSbaK7g[/url] //Advertising link removed by moderator// Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

An old trick we have been using for a long time is to wear surgical gloves under cross country ski gloves. The secret to staying warm is LAYERS! Bri THE PARACHUTE and its PILOT Safety Day Discount!! Only $19.99!! (Until march 15) To Order Now, go here: http://bit.ly/15UkjSx Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

That is great to hear! Which ones are you favorites? I always need feedback. Thank you! Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The New Video is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtnC2EWCPsk Enjoy! Brian Safety Day Discount!! Only $19.99!! THE PARACHUTE and its PILOT (Until march 15) To Order Now, go here: http://bit.ly/15UkjSx Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Please share this video with the skydivers that you love. Bri Low Turn Bailout on SkydiveRadio.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqUmLnxKd-Y Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Woohooo! I whipped up a new Safety First TV video for y'all. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2RPho7q9IU&feature=youtu.be Be Well, Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I am so glad you liked it! -BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I have posted a new article in my blog, entitled "Awakening the Hero Within" http://www.adventurewisdom.com/wordpress2/2013/02/22/the-secrets-of-survival-awakening-the-hero-within Enjoy! Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

If I understand your question, by "burning toggles" I assume you means melted brake lines. The spectra material has a low melting point, 297 F, so if you unstow your brakes in a linetwist, you are likely to melt them together. The firsthand evidence of this was a few years ago at Skydive New Mexico in Belen. Danny, one of the senior jumpers at the dropzone, had this occur while I was there teaching a canopy course. This is why I now make all my linesets out of HMA with Dacron brakes. Does this answer your question? Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Agreed. If you can see the offset in the risers during a spin, definitely try to correct it. This is most often the source of the spin. The trouble is, seeing this during a spin is difficult. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com