evilivan

Well...... not an easy question . I personally think that FJC's are not helping the sport; or at least the sneaking around scoping objects, careful planning, understanding the conditions aspect of the sport (which you could argue IS the sport). [Side note: I should add at this point that I am complete newbie - FJC Jan '04, busted leg jump #17 and haven't jumped since the injury] Here is my theory: as I understand it, FJC's were brought in to try and stop people mentoring when they shouldn't, or those who manage to get some kind of rig and chuck themselves off something (I also think FJC's do a lot of good things - mine was very useful and enjoyable, and I learned a lot). Unfortunately FJC's are now more of a commercial offering rather then trying to meet the above, which means that anyone who has the 'minimum' experience criteria can pay their money, and leave possibly even thinking they have the tools to go jumping. Solution? I think we need mixture of the old and the new: If you want to start BASE, you need to do a FJC; but you can only get on a FJC with a recommendation from someone known to those running the courses (and you would of course include other criteria regards # of skydives, amount of GC experience etc). I could go on, but I think that is my point in simple terms... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

I agree that there is a Darwin effect on how long people stay with the sport; but isn't that an even bigger issue? BASE is becoming easier to access (FJC's etc), which means people (who haven't really spent time researching BASE before jumping) are taking their inexperience to your local object and raising the chances of shutting it down etc.... and then the b@st@rds may not even have the commitment to still be jumping a year later! (said in humour). And I think with the current situation this will problem will only increase.... I know of several people who have done a FJC but don't have many contacts in their local area (because they didn't go and ground crew etc before the course) who are now pretty much on their own scoping out objects. It would be much better for everyone if they were going out with experienced jumpers; but it takes time to get the trust of the experienced people, mainly due a conflict of interest, and there are less and less reasons to have to commit that time - just book a FJC.... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Hold on, hold on! Standard???? That was the most gnarly of jumps....! I coulda died, man! The facts are (for the person asking for details): it was a dark and stormy night, and the captain.......... no, thats not it....... but it was a *very* dark night, and a little bit windy (but in the right direction mind - important, that), and when it came to landing I couldn't see the ground, so I was 1/2 brakes - and flaring - and PLF ready, but when I hit my left leg hit a tussock (check dictionary for tussock), and it was mostly snaporama from there. 25 mins of hopping ( I really REALLY don't recommend that), and 45 min car ride, I was in the care of the NHS. 20 mins and several Xrays later, I was being 'repositioned' (and I really really really (ad finitum) don't recommend THAT). Surgery followed, I am now mostly bionic . Lessons learned? Lesson 1: Don't jump if you think its marginal - we all do/have done it, but it may really hurt one day, and I don't believe (unless you have already been there) that you understand the downside of breaking something.... Lesson 2: Jump with somebody who has has the aptitude to get you out of there (thanks mate, I'll always owe you

Sorry if I was remiss with my lack of guidance... You should also tidy up under your bridge, check that the goats are on holiday, and wear your cleanest underpants. Hope that helps. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

You'll be fine mate - most of us here did our 1st jumps just like that.... However, I would recommend that you have all your finances etc in order, flush your stash down the toilet and give your mum a call. Have fun! I'm sure we'll hear all about it, 10 forums up. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

As Mr A is still happily tucked up with his thumb in his mouth (well, hopefully his mouth), please print the attached and use it the cover any site naming violations in this post... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Wearing my heart firmly on my sleeve, and with my politics on full display, I agree with a plethora of "awesome's" and "you rock's" to the above

Bollocks. Seems like I was drunk again last night....... .....it was actually meant to be genuine, but very badly written (feeble attempts to reduce the cheese factor). All I was trying to say is that I enjoy Nick's posts, and appreciate that one of the 'originals' takes the time out to educate us newbies. Or something like that. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

...reckon I can get away with this cos I'll probably never meet you - that way its not arse (butt) licking, right?? /start arse(butt) licking Thank you for contributing here.... I think I can say - and I believe this applies to most people active here - that your posts are the only ones that everyone is guaranteed to read. I am most pleased (and often educated) by your participation.

I been thinking about a twin falls trip for a while now.... you boys just sold it

i'LL second that. ....and sometimes we think WE are pushing the boundaries..... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Took 3 of us Brits to get them all, but took 4 goes.... New England is a bitch Edit: guess I ought to able to spell 'England' "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Probably not the best or safest idea to get signed off for the sake of it - he still won't know how to pack without an instructor there.... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Attempt two: 0.1802 Bit happier with that

0.20600000000000002 average "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Yes, it's exactly the same, and people are entitled to their opinions as am I. You don't want to agree with my opinion, that's fine. ....perhaps bringing it up in a condolence thread wasn't the best place - this isn't incidents (although obviously this incident would not have applied there), we weren't discussing whether what he did was clever or not, just sorry to see him go. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Eh? Well it would have to be modified with "tertiary" rings, to attach the belly mount to. Suppose I should have been a little clearer.... It says "common harness", so I was imagining that wearing a separate harness to accomodate the belly mount would not meet the requirements. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Suppose this bit might cause an issue too.... unless you modified your harness I guess. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

.....I think I will be taking time off from the UK next time you are over "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

neither can you now if you start doing 100ft SL all the time as you get back,then you scares me By the way i really hope that you still will jump(i say this as i know you aint happy about PCA) the park whith Pylons,even as they are abit lower than your 250ft leveloh and as we are there,perhaps a last jump from a certain gasstower perhaps Or what about the house??? Mate you live in UK,stuff is nice low there... i know i cant say for sure that you will jump it all but i know that some of it you will. I also were scared as i went back after my injury but i figure our limits are moving all the time. when i were a wuffo i wanted to try out skydiving,but were scared about it,only super extreme persons did that when i become a skydiver i meant that BASE jumpers were mad people. As i had aprox 300skydives,i wanted to BASE,but i were scared about it. when i had aprox 450-500skydives i got my first jump off 400ft,and i desided that i would never jump below 300ft After aprox 50BASEjumps and 1 injury i started to freefall sub 300ft,but promised myself that stowed jumps and slider off jumps aint me. After aprox 130jumps i found an object(400ft)were i need both hands to climb to the exit point,which means i now has started to jump stowed off 400ft,to be ready to open the new place. At this point im ok by stowed from 400ft(but still prefere handheld),but think lower stowed or arials from that alti is scaryshit.. Now go figure.. could be fun to read all this stuff in a year or 2 from now and see were i am then.... We all have our personal limits which moves all the time,either one or the other way,only thing i learned about all this is,that what seems mad today perhaps is fun tomo. We all know the game and its rules,only YOU can deside what is right for you. So Mac are you on for a long wekend at my place this year. I know your low budget,but as you helped me as i were down,so will i help you

This forum needs a new post; here it is OK, I've bundled PCA and SL together which is obviously totally wrong, but it will force you to write something about you SL minimum I've posted this cos I'm recovering from injury which is a great way of re-evaluating your margins in the sport.... as it happens, mine are the same (300ft freefall, 220 PCA or SL), but anyone want to comment on whether they changed their minimums after injury I think it would be educational... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Yep, I think its normal too. I know that when I injured myself I was very apologetic to my mate who was with me - it was as much hassle for him getting me to hospital as it was for me (although a little less painful ). I was definitely babbling due to the shock, but the apologies were genuine.... The dude ended up missing his nightshift waiting with me in casualty, so I think I owed him the apology. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

.....only cos you can't read. (That was weak. To early for cussing....) "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

....and I'll have the other one, I'm a master too.

This mean I'm old? Dammit, I'm old..... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent