Camera Helmet Bounce

[docjohn 0]

You can see a video of Chad Wilcox's camera helmet going in. Go to skydivingmovies.com. Then go to the miscellaneous section and look for
i_lost_my_helmet_july_7_2002.wmv

I hate when that happens!

Doc
http://www.manifestmaster.com/video

[ltdiver 3]

A cameraflyer at Perris almost lost his FTP just after opening this weekend.

Normal opening, and head up to watch his opening (yeah, he does this and lucky he did this time!)....then when he looked back down his helmet rolled off his head! Lucky for him he had a very quick reaction to this and actually CAUGHT his helmet (and $3,000 worth of cameras)!!

He placed his helmet back on his head, cinched it down, and continued with this flight down.

Upon inspection of what -might- have gone wrong to let this happen (He HAD closed the latch before exit), he determined that the latch in back that closes the helmet -can- be closed incorrectly. If the tab is -not- completely down in the groove....if it perhaps is at an angle and not fully engaged, then it can (and will) release on its own.

He now runs his ungloved finger across the latch to make sure it is seated correctly before exit.

Something to think about!

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[ffejdraga 0]

Quote

I can't imagine how anybody could lose a helmet and have the cameras survive

well, it happened to a friend of mine a couple of weeks ago.

helmet came off on opening, landed in a nearby yard face up. the dytter flew out and was found 20' away. the 15mm lens on the canon was fine.
the diamond lens on the videocamera was fine.
but, the Sony pc whatever looked fine, but he sent it to sony and they said FUBAR. we got the tape out, spliced it together and made a copy...the videocamera remained pointed up the whole time(the helmet did a good job of keepin my friend in frame most of the way down )
i believe the still camera is trash too.
helmet is totally fine though(hawkeye)...except that it came off in the first place.

it sucks.
jeff D-16906

[adamjenner 0]

DAMn that sucks majorly!!!
There's a helmet built to last haha.
Is anything there fixable? or all smashed to hell?
the canon didn't look TOO bad except dirty and a smashed lens. but then again i can only see what's in the picture.

[cloud_monkey 0]

That blows bud! I lost a FTP about 2 years ago. I had a hard opening with mulitple line twists and the next thing I knew it was off my nut heading down towards the earth. I think it landed in a swamp cuz we gave up the search after 3 days. I made a setup from an old RSL on my new one. It's mounted between the bone and the shell so even if the latch breaks it'll stay on my head. It's also very short so the release doesn't move more than an inch. Easy to find and quick to release if needed.

[lewmonst 0]

Quote

I can't imagine how anybody could lose a helmet and have the cameras survive.

that's what Ritz's ESP is for...

They are using my returned 10D as a sales pitch for their ESP program.

My new 10D will be here tomorrow or friday via FedEx.

My lense will be in too. I didn't have an ESP on that though as I'd bought it from B&H. But this time I got it from Ritz with the ESP. I'll be shooting digital again this weekend, finally after this 4 month saga... (or 8 months total since I was on the ground 4 months before that...)

hoooraaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peace
lew

Ritz Rules!

http://www.exitshot.com

[berchtoldaj 0]

you should definately return that to sony, theres obviously a defect.

************
Watch out for planters.

[ltdiver 3]

Quote

They are using my returned 10D as a sales pitch for their ESP program.

My new 10D will be here tomorrow or friday via FedEx.

Congrats lew! First on your new baby...and secondly on your old babe becoming a STAR!!
ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Viking 0]

glad your getting your 10D replaced thats awsome

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Great news Lew, all's well that ends well.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[Kwoo 0]

I lost my FTP in a malfunction (my 1st ...yes beer) last Staurday. The malfunction was a classic spinning thing. The riser strike hit the latch on the left side of the helmet and took it off my head. I caught it and had it in my hands and I put the helmet between my legs (couldn't get it up to my face) and bringing my legs together that caused the spin to go faster. So at that point the choice was made for me. Chopping the main sent me skipping through the sky and there was no way I could hold my helmet between my legs. The reserve opening soft and the landing was easy in a newly planted field were I proceeded to stomp innocent little seedlings yelling "DAMN DAMN DAMN!"
I found my main in a tree, the free bag and cutaway handle, in a nearby field and saved the reserve handle (yippee?) but no amount of searching has turned up the helmet. We were way out over a pond and very dense trees. The real sad thing about it that along with my TRV-27, I had just put my digital rebel camera on for that jump.
I loved my FTP and had recently toured Bonehead in Perris with Ltdiver to see where it was born. I bought it 5 years ago and it has been a great helmet. I do a lot of Bigway stuff and it has protected my face from many a floater's feet. The mounting capabilities for multiple cameras are great.
But now I have to replace almost everything. (I got an extra video camera for 4way.) The price has gone up since I bought my fist one. Anyone have any ideas???? or a used FTP. I love this helmet and really don't want to "settle" for anything else.
karen

[ltdiver 3]

Ah Karen, No!!! I'll say it along with you...DAMN DAMN DAMN!!! I was just at Bonehead yesterday. I'll send Linda this link and perhaps you two could talk.

I asked in another thread about the tendancy of the FTP coming off people's head and a few people have responded there. Didn't you have the latch protection fabricated to prevent riser strike from doing this?

DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[MWGemini 0]

Karen,

Eric and I, as well as a few others, went searching for it again this week, but didn't find it. Maybe we can get another search party going this weekend (looks the the weather might not permit jumping all weekend).

Mike

[Kwoo 0]

I["]asked in another thread[/url] about the tendancy of the FTP coming off people's head and a few people have responded there. Didn't you have the latch protection fabricated to prevent riser strike from doing this?

DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

ltdiver

[Kwoo 0]

Quote

Karen,

Eric and I, as well as a few others, went searching for it again this week, but didn't find it. Maybe we can get another search party going this weekend (looks the the weather might not permit jumping all weekend).

Mike

Thanks Mike,
I plan on doing a little more searching this weekend. But I was directly over the Cement pond so it's either in there or in the woods just east of there. Wind drift saved the rest of my gear from the same fate.

I am currently starting to price out a new system. Wow!!! It's not just the loss of the FTP helmet, video camera and Digital still camera but also all the extra
stuff thats killing me. CameyeII, protrack, ringsite, quick releases, bite switch.....
If any has a line on locations for good prices or extra new or used stuff that they what to sell drop me an email.
karen

[ltdiver 3]

Quote

If any has a line on locations for good prices or extra new or used stuff that they what to sell...

Karen...try the classifieds here. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/page.cgi?d=1

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[kmskydive 0]

Hey Karen,
I still have my TRV8 just like yours. If you need a camera to use for a while. It's in great shape with a .6 wide on it. I would be glad to send it out whenever you need it, I'm doing mostly stills now and if it works for you we could work out a primo deal. Don't know if you want a newer or lighter camera. Call if your interested.
Maaarrrty.