Throw the rig out first!

[Geoff 0]

Maybe 7 or 8 years ago, before I started jumping, I remember seeing a documentary on TV with a guy who appeared to throw his rig out of the plane, then dive after it, strap it on, and then deploy.
As I remember, he did some 'test' jumps wearing an extra rig, but catching and deploying the dropped rig, and then finally he did it for real.
I remember thinking at the time that he must be crazy, and that the stunt was stupidly dangerous, but now that I'm a skydiver I appreciate that he must be certifiable and that the stunt was totally, outrageously f*cking dangerous! In fact I find it difficult to believe that it really happened.
But - is my memory right? or was there some detail different that makes it less suicidal than it sounds?
Or was I taken in by some clever photography and special effects, and it never happened at all?
Any old hands remember this or have any idea what I'm talking about?

[Craig 0]

Greg Gasson has done this type of stunt occasionally. One jumper exits the plane holding the shoulder part of the lift webs as Greg holds the leg straps. After falling for a few (yes, a terminal opeining) greg pulls the throw out while still holding the leg straps and no other connection with the rig other than his hands. He then gets in the harness the correct way after hanging out NOT in the harness.
Just remembered his web page....http://www.skydivingstunts.com/
I first seen Greg do this on my Good Stuff video.
Craig

[Krishan 0]

I have actually met someone close to Greg Gasson and learnt that he is actually wired in to a hidden harness when he does these types of jumps. He does not do it all that often and charges a butt load of money for the video when he does.

[Deleted 0]

I heard Greg Gasson is actually wired in too. If you see his videos, he always has long sleeve shirts on and never loses contact with the rig. That would hide the wires pretty easily.

I did a see a video of a guy who actually jumped without a rig. This was way back in the 60s-70s. He had a partner who would jump with the rig and hold it out so it stayed stable in freefall. The guy without a rig was wearing a harness (kinda like a passenger tandem harness). Webbing ran up his arms and out his sleeves. At the end of these webs was a couple of metal D-clips (?). He would dive after the guy holding the rig and then clip onto it once he had it. The parachute was mounted on a thin board so he could grab onto it when he pulled. Seemed like a very stupid thing to do.
Falling after a spinning, potato chipping rig would be even more foolhardy.

[Deleted 0]

This was Jimmy Tyler in the mid-80's although it's been done numerous times. Rod Pack ended up on the cover of Life magazine because of his jump in 1964(or there abouts).
Jimmy died a couple of years later doing a base jump from Half-Dome. The stunt was very well rehearsed and you might be able to find a copy on one of Norm Kents early videos.
there is also video available from www.endlessfall.com.
Blue Skies,
John T. Brasher D-5166 AFF/I S&TA

[propblast 0]

Anyone see the guy who jumped from plane to plane? I saw this video a while back.
-e

[Dirtsucks 0]

Yeah, I saw that. How do you suppose he logged that jump?
Josh

[propblast 0]

hum. I wonder?
-e