evilivan

I used to do this for the same reasons (mostly still do when jumping in the UK), but when I'm in a humid climate I get moisture problems with the camera, which can be a real pain on back to back loads; therefore I turn it off after opening. Agree with earlier points ref: making turning off the camera the last priority. Generally I don't do anything until I'm under a happy canopy in clear air. In this case I was misled by the initial turn to the right followed by level flight, and therefore assumed (I know I know) that all was well.... and then it dived off to the left. Awareness consequently gone up after a fortunately cheap lesson. "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 have been offered the S7000 at great price... anyone got any info/opinions on it for freefall us that they want to share it would be much appreciated. Thanks Ivan "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

Tony Suit - has that clips/velcro arrangement (I hate the velcro - need to design a better method then that). Most of the problem was the fact that I had "mentally gone past" the opening bit of the skydive and thought all was good.... and then it dived off to the left. The thumb loops are actually very easy to get off. "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

Then I probably shouldn't mention that this is my docile canopy..... You have a point, but I suppose its down to what is acceptable risk (to the individual); as I open between 4 and 4.5k I think I have enough time to deal with most things that might be thrown at me - this incident included. "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

OK, thought I would share this as it scared me a bit and I don't think I had considered all the variables when I first started jumping camera (about 500 jumps ago...), and therefore my be useful info for all prospective camera flyers out there. I have been a 4-way cameraman for about 3 years now, and last week my team was training out in DeLand. We were doing lots of jumps (12+/day), so turning things round quickly with two rigs etc, and using packers - therefore we were setting the breaks/collapsing the slider etc out in the landing area after each jump. With back to back loads I may have been rushing this a bit........ Anyway, on one jump I had my right break fire (Xfire2 114 at about 1.95), and to make it more interesting, the canopy initially opened with a right turn and then settled (lulling me into a false sense of security) so I was turning off my camera when it started spiraling to the left. It wound up pretty quick, and this is the bit that I want to share: because I still had the loops of my wings over my thumbs, the toggles were a struggle to reach... and I jump a top mounted Sony PC100 on my Bonehead Flat-top Pro, which was getting caught up in my slider.... result: I couldn't reach or see my toggles to free the other break. I was about to give up and chop it when I went past one of my team mates, and knowing they couldn't be lower the 2k (we break off at 4.5k), I gave it another try. Boring from here: I got the break free and landed under my main. But the experience shook me up a little, because of the limitations caused by the camera suit and the top mount - worth thinking about this if you are a new camera flyer...... "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

It wasn't me! "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 would love to tell you all about my life as a super hero, but I don't think you would understand me.... Name: Frost Dude Secret Identity: evilivan Special Power: Twisting Lips Transportation: Turbo Motorcycle Weapon: Graviton Gun Costume: Leopard Skin Shorts Sidekick: Clarence Nemesis: Ming the Nasty Tragic Flaw: Addicted to solitaire Favorite Food: Onion Rings "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

QuoteHe must've been counting real quick.reply] How fast did you count on your 1st/early ones? I believe he did, he is reporter after all and is honour bound to tell the truth. "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

Did I mention that I love your work?? "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

Definitely!!

All dependent on team training schedule, but: I fly camera and would be happy, nay, honoured to film some dz.com/uk jumps. I have a birdman suit. Be nice to get a couple flock dives together if the experience is 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

Please follow this link for updated info in the this site - REALLY REALLY follow this link if you are planing to jump this site: UK BASE board update Posted on behalf of BASE813 "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 actually did one a few years ago, but I seem to remember the reserve drills being: "Here is your reserve, try not to use it." Thanks for the info - I need it for a whuffo friend of mine. Ivan "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

What were the reserve drills for old round kit? I'm looking for something that compares with the "look, locate, peel, punch, pull" type drills we use now... Any help appreciated.... Ivan "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

Amazing! It appears that experence has some bearing on knowledge.... I told my mum tonight that I will BASE , and after the initial "why?" she said she was very glad and grateful that I told her............... Nothing more to say.

Excellent advice dude, thanks (what was the rest that bollocks about?) "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

Late response... You are right, I'm sure I won't... I was thinking that it might be better if I told them after a few jumps - they then see that I've done it haven't died, so maybe its not as bad as their mis-conceptions tell them it is.... but perhaps that is the Ostrich approach to the problem. Can you ever be? Although I'm pretty sure... they are generally open minded, and don't tend have strong opinions on how other people want to conduct their lives. It is purely a "why you?" situation. Nice to know someone loves you, eh?

Thanks guys... I think the summary of what we have so far is: tell them, just don't tell them when. Which is probably what I'll do... "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

Might be hijacking your thread here a little Faber, but I guess Tom will move it if he thinks its worth a new thread. Hmmm... I'm really struggling with this question at the moment. I'm booked on a FJC early in the new year, and I have been debating whether I should tell the family for a couple of months now. They all accept the skydiving, although I know it worries my mum - fortunately she is the sort of person who just wants her kids to be happy, so doesn't try to dissuade me - she is happy that I'm happy. And I know she wouldn't take it further if anything happened (i.e. legally). I've told my sister that I plan to BASE, but reading your post I'm now thinking that it is probably unfair on her if anything were to happen; she then has to break the news to the whole family... My dilemma is: if I tell my mum/brother/dad, they will then just worry about me all the time (I was at the cinema with my brother the other day, and there was a brief clip of a wingsuit BASE jump as a part of an advert, and I heard him under his breath: "Bloody idiot."..... Not sure if he will be entirely receptive to the news ) The main point of Tom's post seems to be the possible fallout on the BASE community if you don't tell your family. I don't think my family would cause a problem in that way - they are very aware that I know the risks I am taking, although this is in relation to skydiving. If I tell them, they will worry. A lot. But if I don't, and something happens.... I don't know which is worse for them. And am I being unfair on my sister? (insert lewd comment here) 813, I remember you had family issues when you first started - how is it now? Sorry, long post. If you have read this far, any advice is appreciated... "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

Looking for opinions on the Panasonic NV-GS70E - smallest 3CCD I've seen and not too expensive (details here) Anyone using it in freefall? Apologies if this has already been asked - couldn't find anything obvious with a search... Thanks Ivan "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

please don't feed the trolls "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

Is that like the "world series"...?? Excellent result, it really rocks. Solly is our coach; I just hope he has time to coach us next year while traiining for a world meet.... "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

Oh well, it was new to me.... "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

Dammit! Thought I'd better test it, and it doesn't work anymore..... you used to be able highlight the answer column and then run the spell checker. Oh well, guess I don't look quite so clever now... "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

There is a very simple cheat for this, which I found once I got too frustrated with the answers I couldn't get (about 30 secs in, I think ). "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