GreenMachine

Like the other guys have already said....it is cool that you are thinking, keep it up and you might invent some great stuff like Bill Booth and some of the other greats have, but this particular idea is not good. FYI --- I am pretty sure the Cypres brand AAD comes in 3 varieties: Tandem, Student, and Expert, each with its own corresponding logical firing altitude. As someone above already said, your AAD should be a last ditch, emergency insurance policy that you hope you never, ever use, kind of similar to the RSL in that students are taught to pull their own reserve handle after a cutaway instead of depending on the lanyard to do it for you. The absolute best ways to prevent any of the problems you are trying to address are known and straight forward: 1) Plan an appropriate break off altitude 2) plan an appropriate deployment altitude 3) maintain altitude awareness 4) dive your plan By the way, an audible altimeter would be more helpful than adding complexity to the rigging and packing of our parachutes. Furthermore, if you lose altitude awareness you should know how to respond. If you wake up to the fact that you are in freefall at 1,000 feet go straight to your reserve, because this is an emergency, it is more reliable, and it prevents the dreaded/inconvenient 2 parachutes out scenario. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Blue Skies Tandem Masters, I'm a newer tandem instructor with less than 100 paid tandems. This weekend I had my first puker (under canopy). Yeah, I know BEER. Anyways, a group of about 6 guys and 4 gals show up to jump with some friends/family and a pretty impressive video camera. They tell me they are part of an extreme team that does stunts on motorcycles. My first passenger out of the group had his own jumpsuit, had never jumped, and was kind of nervous. While I am training and harnessing him his buddy is shooting some ground footage (he also paid for a DZ made DVD). While geeking for his friend's video he tells me he really wants the E ticket ride. So 4 of us load up in the cessna (passenger, tandem master, camera flyer, and an up jumper), at 5ish a guy jumps out, and the passenger's eyes got about the size of a pilot chute. At 10 the three of us get out, freefall is totally normal. Once open I get him comfortable in the harness, practice the landing flair a few times, and get us right over the LZ. I then proceed to do two spirals....maybe a 540 right and a 360 left, nothing too major, especially for a guy on an 'extreme' team asking for a wild ride. We level out and I ask him what he thought...he says that is enough. I say okay, so I then point out a few land marks while we float. 1,000 feet later he is yakking. Thank God he was wearing his own suit and puked straight down on his crotch. Of course I told him it was no big deal, reminded him to do deep breathing, reaffirmed that we were a-okay, and would be on the ground in about 90 seconds. The passenger was apologetic and I told him several times not worry about it. He also tipped me for getting some on my leg. Funniest part was, all of his buddies laughed, but each of them later said quietly that they did not want to do spirals. Just thought I would share a story my Saturday. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

If you are looking for someone to skydive with my dad lives about an hour from you and has 155 jumps. If you are looking to BASE, well then I can't help you and most on here would say go do a few more skydives. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Not sure if I agree about the correlation with dropzone size and jumper well roundedness...When I was coming up at a small to medium sized DZ, there were plenty of loads where the staff was working, the cool kids were freeflying, and I was going solo. Hence I had the choice do whatever I wanted on those jumps....luckily I was encouraged to use those skydives to learn my body in freefall. Regarding freeflyers becoming coaches...If they ONLY freefly then I do not see how they could pass the evaluation jumps. I was required to lay base, accurately observe the mock-student's body position, maintain altitude awareness, all while giving hand signals and smiling.

There are plenty of people at dropzones willing to show someone how to pack --- of course some of those people aren't great packers I have explained to many people at my DZ how to pack while I am packing my rig, I also answer questions, and will even through a new canopy in a bag for nice people BUT unless we are on a weather hold I do not want to spend 2+ hours teaching packing when I could be jumping. Hence, I offer people to come to my house on a non-jumping day and learn for free. I think people learn better when there are no distractions AND they write down the steps. My one-on-one classes go like this: I pack my rig and explain every step while they watch, ask questions, and take their own notes of the process. I then allow them to pack my rig as many times as they want to. During this time I will watch, then go do some chores around the house, come back, watch some more, answer questions, etc. These students typically become friends who are happy to buy/give me a beer, use me for coach jumps, use me for video jumps, and recommend me to their friends doing tandems. The compensation may take a while but investing in new skydiver friends is almost always a good thing. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

For what it is worth here is my 2 cents... Yep, fear usually goes with parachuting! Before my first, second, and third tandems had to hit the bathroom...during AFF the strong sense of fear was also there but it did not make me have to shit 3 times in a row. Between jump #13 and #14 there was 3 months due to a motorcycle wreck. Jump #14 there was noticeably less fear, probably because I was just so damn glad to be back in the air. Between jump #30 and #80 there were times when I would be riding up in the plane, scared, wondering why in the fuck am I doing this? It is expensive, time consuming, and I am surrounded by assholes. Now after 1400 jumps I am one of the assholes and the amount of fear I feel is related to the type of jump I am doing. Example, on tandems I have 2 people's lives in my hands, on speciality jumps I realize there is extra risk, etc. Your comment about being over-analytical....that is actually great in the long run, it will make you continue to think about things when some jumpers with less brains have forgotten it. In the short run it can make you over complicate things. As people above have said --- the BEST thing you can do before a jump is relax. Some of my teachers taught me about breathing slowly and deeply before exit and it really helped me, hence I do it with my passengers and students. Remember man it is all about having fun, and for some of being scared is fun Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Hey Calvin, Don't know if this is a joke thread or not but I am bored at work killing 30 minutes before a meeting so I'll type... First day of my only trip to Twin Falls, after a good meal and a bad movie with Cornishe (aka Francis), Tenacious B, and the gang I get dropped off at my hotel, the Super 8, and check in. I see a couple of young guys smoking cigs out front. I pegged them as skydivers based on their sunglasses. I ask them if they are BASE jumpers. They look at each other for second as in "How the hell do we answer that?". Then they both look at me and say "Yeah" with some enthusiam. Me being a BASE virgin and nosey ask, how many jumps? They say 2. I say cool. Out of curiosity I ask how many skydives and they say 30. I try to hide my shock and horror. I ask, "Are you in a course or something?". Nope, they just drove here and jumped, not even sure if they had BASE specific gear. I had to give it to them for having more BALLS than me....at 30 skydives I there was no way 2 or 3 guys could have thrown me off the Perrine, more or less me climbing over that rail. So Calvin, how is the withdraw going? From BASE & Painkillers Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

I agree guy, but my DZ is kind of small and not all camera flyers can offer stills.... My DZO would only be down for offering stills if we could all do it....don't ask me, I just work there

[Green]Great stuff Darren!! I also liked the different 'tools' you used to produce the flicks Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

$20 + slot for Video $5 to edit on VHS $15 to edit, produce & mail DVD No stills offered at my DZ Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Steve, that shot of your guy passed out is hilarious!! Of course only cause no one got hurt. I have not had any passengers pass out yet but I have video'd it happening to another TI. Good work man! Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

I like what Andy/Popsjumper posted! I usually tell the newbie that we are going to do all of the coach jumps in 1 dive and then some --- freefly the exit, swoop & dock, adjusted fall rate, etc. Don't know who else above mentioned it but I definitely like the dive flows to be easy for the newbie to remember so I do not get too hung up with them focusing on what is next but more about flying their body. I will tell them the pattern will be simple, I move, you come to me, I present, you dock, we check altitude, repeat till 5K. Of course if they are flying well and heads up there is always the chance they'll get a fruit-loop just before 5K Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

I guess it all comes down to skill and comfort level...I am a moderately experienced camera flyer and a newer tandem master. I have left docked on a TM's hand, never a chest strap, but as a camera flyer I would have no problems doing it, however as a newer tandem master I would never let anyone grab me on exit when carrying a passenger. My opinion might change with experience and skill but that is my 2 cents for now. One last thing, I very much agree that the face shot in the door right before exit and right on the "GO" count are priceless!!! For many it is a total 'come to Jesus' moment and the faces they make are great. When I fly camera I always try to get that shot, my technique is to squat down on the step outside, use both hands on the door to hang out, and put my face in front of the passenger's face. With my .5 diamond I get a good shot, I can see the TM's count, and on the launch on just ease off on my back and get a nice fall away shot with the plane in the background. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Good idea....gives one the peace of mind of intergrated risers with the potential for emergency escape if necessary. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Disclaimer: I only have 7 BASE jumps, have jumped only 3 BASE rigs, and still have 2 reserve packs and some sewing skills between me and my rigger's ticket. Inspite of the inexperience and ignorance disclosed in the above statement I will nonetheless throw in my 2 cents If/when I buy my next BASE rig, it will be a new, custom fit rig with integrated risers. I also plan to pack it without a slider for low jumps (versus slider down). I know from listening and reading that neither of these choices are the most popular... 3 RINGS: As the more experienced guys already said there are benefits to having 3 rings for the serious BASE jumper who may need to escape authorities or hazards, plus the ease of switching canopies. SLIDER --- I bugged several experienced guys about this topic and was given good input. The general thinking was that to save time and to provide some backup protection (cross riser support in the case of riser failure) leave the slider on but down for low jumps. However, I personally would feel better jumping the simplest and strongest configuration possible. Of course the jumps I plan to do will hopefully be done from a tethered balloon on private land, hence the bust factor would be close to zero, chance of tree landings slim, and water landing next to impossible. Lastly, I thought "Integrity" risers had 3 rings but no hole through them while "Integrated" riser were like a reserve in that they are non-datchable. Anyone know for sure? So what do you experienced guys think of my gear choice? A Volvo with water weenies?

Here is the image that I forgot to attach and could not append through the 'Edit' function. Scary part is I design software

I think creating your own tower is an awesome idea.....having people addicted to cell phones paying for it is even better -- Kudos!!! I have a dream to create a balloon powered personal launch thing (see jpeg attached). However, I had the feeling that many BASE jumpers shy'd away from the idea of a legal tower. Not sure of the thread name and don't care to search for it but my recollection was that the question was posed: "What would you pay to access a legal tower with safe, grassy landing area and zero bust factor?" to which most replies were: "Why pay for something I can get for free?" I know my BASE knowledge is about zero but in my opinion the ability to jump when we want for as little money as possible is part of the common allure. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Looks like Napolean jumping a skydiving rig

I would guess a fair number of us who post here work in offices and like to kill time by doing something besides listening to overweight co-workers talking about their kids and their favorite TV shows....it sure is part of the reason why I come here. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Right Femur - Motorcycle Right Patella - Motorcycle Right Clavicle - Motorcycle Few Metacarpals on each hand - Kung Fu Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Blue Skies Guys, Here are a few small scale shots from Twin Falls. If anyone wants the full size drop me a line. Photos shot by: Cheri Aiello Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

To: Calvin19 & Others The reason I asked the “WHY” question is NOT because I wanted someone to convince me or talk to me like a whuffo who has no respect for what you do… It was because I left Idaho after 7 jumps knowing that BASE was not what I thought it was and thinking it was not worth it….only to come home and find that I still think about it, a lot! I see buildings and antennas and think about their altitude, deployment methods, and landing strategy….I even dream about it sometimes….so I guess I was hoping that those of you who are much more experienced and maybe smarter could have help me understand this. In the literature I read before my FJC it said while BASE is very much an individual sport, us humans are pack animals who often need others for access, knowledge, and support or medical treatment after injuries/tragedies… As for your description of the human need for adventure, our spirit’s desire to breathe, and the importance of living a life beyond work and consumption --- you are talking to the choir. I left a damn good job because they were dicks about giving me time off to jump, I have lived without cable for 10+ years, don’t own a cell phone, have a 33 year old car without A/C, raced dirt bikes, rode street bikes, been smashed on a street bike, competed in a kung fu tournament, rock climbed, did 1,400 jumps in less than 5 years, and still yearn to find new experiences. To: Dmcoc84, Amanduh, Inzite, Hookitt, 460 Thank you for trying to put into words your ideas and feelings about something so important and personal. I really appreciated and enjoyed your posts. To: Yuri As an economist who has done trend analysis, I enjoy your graphs and think your predictions seem sound given the limited data set and numerous future unknowns. To: Three of you who sent me PMs Thanks a lot, I appreciate your time and input! Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

Blue Skies Mr. Lonnie Bissonnette, I teach some of the ground schools at my dropzone and have never asked a student why they want to skydive... however I could easily answer that question for myself in 10 words or 10 pages. Conversely, I was asked why I wanted to BASE jump by several people who I approached prior to my course, I was asked that during the first hour of my FJC, and Nick's post mentioned "taking time to stand down and re-evaluate our motivation". Hence I firmly believe my polite request for others to share their motivations was reasonable. I openly and honestly shared mine, as lame as they have sounded. How about you guy --- want to put into words why you BASE jump? Of course you do not need to justify your actions to me, I am a stranger with only 7 BASE jumps, but most of us who visit here are kindred spirits who enjoy parachuting and living by our skills. More importantly many of us could learn something. With Respect & Curiosity, ~Tom

QUOTE: Maybe a personal safety stand-down on an individual basis isn’t a bad idea. During that down time you can re-evaluate your motivations... Anyone interested in sharing their motivations? I personally wanted to experience an exciting new kind of parachuting while avoiding some of the costs (money & other) of jumping at my home dropzone. I enrolled in an FJC in Twin Falls, watched Shannon die on Monday and started my course on Tuesday. My motivations had changed some, part of me wanted to experience the rush thinking it must be awesome if guys are back on the bridge the next day, and part of me just wanted to see if I could climb over that railing. After 7 jumps and one slammer opening I no longer had any motivation left --- the potential costs seemed to exceed the realized benefit of 2+ seconds of freefall and a short canopy ride on a big dog. So I stopped...for now. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM

I personally would not recommend rushing into jumps where your rig is exposed to the wind in a sit position, like a horny gorilla, because from your original post it sounds like you do not have a freefly friendly rig... Plus there are lots of fun things you can do on your belly for a while. Tracking is a great skill to have!! It will help you get further from other jumpers prior to opening, you can do it in a group or alone, and it lasts a long time. Just be sure to know the winds aloft and jump run prior to exit. Sunset hop & pops from altitude are fun and last a long time, land and chugs are cool especially if someone else is doing it also, if not you just look extra thirsty, and kiss passes are fun but sounds liek they will have to wait. Some fun two-ways you can do too are a fruit loop where a friend docks on you in a two-way (pin) and then flips you, plus it might sound weak but the coach jumps from your training are fun too, have someone exit, give them a 1 second head start and then catch them, after each dock have them back up or down, etc. Rigger, Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Retired TM