evilivan

The delay was short - approx 1''. I like "LRT", easy to remember but never heard it before (or forgot). Although all I really needed to do was to consult the manual...... I spoke to a friend tonight (300+ jumps, several years in the sport) who stowed his breaks in this way several times without break fires - although he did have to replace the lower part of the break lines sooner then normal because of wear on the finger trap; I guess the 'guarantee' of a break fire may be a little rig dependent. Either way, I won't be doing it again "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'm opening myself up to a torrent of criticism here.... but posting the error I made will maybe stop another noob making the same mistake. Object: 350', one set of wires 90 left of the exit point (that we chose). Very little wind. Rig: Gargolye; Troll (vented etc) 265 On opening I had an approx 160 left, and the canopy did not open 'normally' and seemed to take longer then normal to pressurise. Turned it round on the riser and reached for the toggles, but as I let go of the riser the canopy started turning and I couldn't find the toggles. Due to the dark and I feeling like I was getting low, I opted to land on risers and made a hardish (PLF) but acceptable landing in the landing area. When I got home from work the next day, I pulled my kit of the stash bag and had a closer look.... The right break had fired and I discovered I had stowed the breaks incorrectly; instead of putting: -the loop through the break setting -then through the guide ring -and then the toggle through the loop into the keeper I had put: -the loop through the guide ring -then through the break setting -and then the toggle through the loop into the keeper This, however, wasn't the real noob mistake (I know of other jumpers who have done this in error); the real mistake was when I was putting the canopy in the tray I pulled the riser into the tray to far which meant that they were distorting the harness. I didn't notice this until I had the top pin closed, so teased the risers out to neatly fit the harness shoulders ; I believe this disturbed the break setting as a result of the tension on the pack job and the incorrectly stowed breaks. Pulling some riser out on a closed pack job is something I have often done with my skydiving rig, and I guess this is why I gave it no thought..... Which brings home the old lesson: BASE is not skydiving Yeah, I know, I should have known better/thought about it more/not been such a 'skydiver'. Lesson learned. 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

Never Play Safe Nice Paunch Sir! "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

One charge = 600 feet.... be cool if you can carry an external battery pack - didn't read all the details, it may be that you can. "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

Have a look here: http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2005SIM/section3.htm "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

This may seem harsh, but its not intended to be. If you can't get over your fear, don't jump. FWIW, I was usually sh!tting myself on every plane ride up until about 100 jumps, but when I landed I just had to go again.... The only person who can get you through your fear is you. "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

Fair point.... But I don't think this discussion is so much about being able to gain the required skills, but more about ethics and approach.... There are many potential BASE jumpers out there who have all the ability to learn the skills, but that doesn't mean they won't day blaze all the objects in their area when they come back from Potato land. "You done a course, 'aven't you Tyrone?" "Course I 'ave" "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 with you that unlikely candidates can surprise you and excel, but that only works if its possible to fail the course.... I don't think anyone running FJC's has "fail" criteria (please correct me if I'm wrong). This is an interesting topic; I know of people who have done a manufacturers FJC that I really think shouldn't be BASE jumping.... but there again that's only my opinion - given that the sport essentially has no rules, who am I to judge? "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

clicky "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

Quote from Andy on NSL: "Andy Scott sees even more trouble coming: "We are on another weather hold - it looks like we will be coming back for the second weekend with a re-draw for the incomplete rounds based on all unused formations from incomplete rounds in the mix. The judges are really far behind with round five nearly complete but meet jumps only judged up to round three. The 53-team turnout is biting..."" You can find it here: NSL News I read it as your option 'b'.... Shame we lose sync with the NSL draw "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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=1712 BBC not too bad - although that was how this last weekend was forecast..... "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

Weather broke at about 1500 yesterday and they managed to put up 65 (!) lifts before end of play. Lift one took off at 0700 this morning, but the layer at about 7k thickened by the time lift 2 was in the air and we are currently stood by. Everyone got to round 4, with couple on round 5; all three categories have a close fight at the top between 5 and 7 teams..... if only this bloody weather would sort itself out; the competition itself is close and exciting. Airkix rock; did a 30 in time yesterday on round 2 which is currently believed to be a British record. "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

Caveat: far from an expert. I go for risers first always, and voted that way. Having said that, if the heading is good I transfer almost immediately to toggles without actually putting any input into the risers. Basically the same as you.... Edited for muppet factor. "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

Not looking that great for the weekend http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/UKXX0749?x=0&post=post&code=code&y=0 Buggrit "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

5 objects in 20 jumps. "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

Dude....

Don't forget that the jump numbers rule has gone this year; that should shake things up a bit in Juniors and Inters.... "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

Happened to me too a couple of years ago out of a CASA at Lake Wales; 3 way train exit and had my back to the side wall. Hackey got caught in exactly the same place (if I understood your description correctly). Max Cohn (or it might have been Steve Blincoe) had video of it from inside the plane; could have been pretty bad for the pilot - and pos the rest of the load - of the hackey hadn't come away cleanly. As it happens everything was fine, no damage to gear or plane.... only a very long 13.5k canopy ride. I think in bigger aircraft its possible that people take less care because you think you have all the room in the world... something to be aware of. "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

Keep us posted Faber (perhaps dictate to someone who can paraphrase for you ) "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 the case; some concern obviously, but certainly not fear.... Things are pretty much normal in central London today - a lot of people didn't come to work today, but I think that was mostly due to the travel issues. We all pretty much knew it was coming; and we've been through similar before. "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 haven't met Faber. I can tell. "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

Dude, your post earlier reminded me what IS going on to stop these attacks...... 99.99% still means lives lost, but a pretty good strike rate none the less. I wonder how many plans and plots have been stopped over the past few years. "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

Roger that mate I normally ride my bike into work (I live in Watford), but decided to train/tube it today. Perhaps I should pay more attention to my horoscope....... And yes, working tomorrow, even if its only on principle. "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

Bloody damn hell.... What a day. Got off the tube at 0845 at Oxford Circus (central London, for you foreigners). I had no idea that anything was happening until a Danish mate of mine (Faber - he is infamous here ) called me to check I was OK. Then the day really started.... I run a department that works 24hrs so I had to check on all my guys, specifically the previous nightshift who were travelling home during the bombing period. Took several hours to get hold of everyone, but thankfully all are OK. Spent the rest of the day following the news on the web and TV and figuring out how, or if, my department would be working over the next couple of days... I work for Turner, which owns CNN, so camera crews were in and out of the building all day. I guess they were the only ones really working today as the rest of us found it pretty hard to concentrate. Going home: with the tube system down, I had to walk to Euston; this is normally a 20min walk, but with the amount of areas cordoned off it took me over an hour. And that made the whole situation real: the streets almost empty of traffic, lots of people walking home, and the massive police presence. According to the news, they are still getting casualties out of the tunnels. I believe this was "in the post" for London; the conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent terrorist activity in New York/Madrid/Bali etc has shown that we are not immune. And here it is. However, the amazing response from our emergency services shows that they were well prepared; its unbelievable how quickly they were on the various scenes and dealing with the situation. I'm home and slightly drunk, so probably not making much sense. I will be going in to work tomorrow. F*ck 'em. "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 the final count will be worse then 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