BrianSGermain

Many folks believe that we need better guidelines for canopy downsizing. I have spent a great deal of time putting together a chart for exactly that purpose, along with 21 pages of ideas that make sense of the chart. Here is the link: http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/bas-sizingchart.pdf Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Hi Sparky, I agree with your comments in principle, who wouldn't? I would also add that I believe that balance that results in safety and longevity is between the two opposing forces of Perceived Ability and Perceived Risk. In other words, when we are out of balance with these two main variables, we are into one of two performance-reducing realities: Complacency or debilitating levels of Fear. Both are dangerous, and result in different kinds of accidents. In the end, dead is dead, no matter how we get there. The point I was making is that caution can lead us to be TOO Cautious in our approach at times, when fear gets too high, and that can result in a reality that is dangerous. We have all seen it happen, particularly in students, but also in ourselves in competition or high stakes skydives. We want to avoid screwing up, so we loose sight of the look and feeling of true success. We are focused on the negative, so we loose our way to the best case scenario. This is the aspect of the quantum effects of fear to which I was referring. It is the consequences of attitude and expectation that result in the self-fulfilling prophesy of failure. I am not saying that we should throw all fear away. I would not have lived this long if that was my only motto, neither would have any of the other readers. Our wisdom guides us to listen to what our fear is pointing out in terms of danger, and approach the solutions with positive emotion and constructive attitude. Patrick and the other Great Ones may have become complacent due to repeated exposure to danger without negative consequence, but they survived many many dangerous situations prior to their final failure due to their positive attitude and fearless approach. We should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. You can climb a thousand mountains, and do they call you "Sparky-The-Mountain-Climber?"; probably not. But make love to one sheep... The true wisdom is the middle way, between fearless denial and fearful contraction of possibilties. BSG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Wingloading is but on contributing factor in the way in which a parachute responds to line twists, and it is not the most significant. The degree and shape of the elliptical taper is also very important (more taper is more likely to spin). Symmetry of the harness (body position is also very important. If we remain symmetrical during the initial snatch, and do not try to counter a turn with weight-shift during the initial inflation, we will experience far fewer line-twists. Getting line-twists is not the end of the world. It is just something that happens now and then. It is true that some parachutes are more prone to spin than others, but that doesn't have to result in a cutaway. The first step toward prevention of regular chopping is to pull high enough to fix the problem. I still pull at 3000 at the lowest. The second is to go with the flow, and stay in the middle of the harness. It is bigger than you are, let it do it's thing, and when the lines get tight, give decisive action to point it where you want to go. The third is to pack well. That is a long answer that many people can help you with. Another thing is to have your gear set up correctly to inhibit line-twists. Good pilot chutes, long bridles and reasonable fit in the container can all make a big difference in your malfunction rate. There is more, but I did want to chime in and put my 2 cents in. Peace out! Brian PS Here is a link to an interesting (although unrecommended) solution to line-twists: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-17AHJQQ8fA&feature=channel_page Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I wish I could agree whole-heartedly, but I cannot. Although cold, mathematical statistics are one aspect of the situation that governs the "reality" of risk, the individual has a large portion of the control within their grasp. We each bring to the moment our expectations, our skill, and our ability to refocus our minds on what we want to have happen. My experience confirms my belief that we are in control over more than 50 percent of the equation. Quantum physics agrees as well. You are experiencing what you have created in your visualizations and expectations, and how you handle the situations that challenge your abilities has far more to do with the outcome than simple statistics and probabilities. This is the core of the adventurer's philosophy. We believe that we can control the outcome to an acceptable degree, so we feel comfortable with the "risk-to-benefit" ratio. To the person less capable of self-trust, math seems the only answer that has any meaning. To a skydiver, math is what the whuffos do when they watch us, almost hoping we will burn in so we can give them a bit of excitement in their dull lives made duller by the fear that has turned them into spectators, rather than participants. So, you may find that your malfunction rate falls along predictable lines, but if you truly believe in yourself, you are far more likely to fix your malfunction. That's what pilots do. That is transcending math, and living on a higher causal plane of cause and effect by working on a quantum level. We are, all of us, very impressive. We jump out of airplanes and live. We live because we manipulate the situation with our minds by believing and creating what we believe through thought and action. We are benders of probabilities, and manufactures of realities. We are pilots of what is, through conscious intent. We are doing what we were born to do, demonstrating that humans are more than meat puppets. We are creators of novel moments in time that bring about novel branches of possibilities that did not exist before our attention was drawn to them. We are nothing short of visionaries. Peace and Joy for the New Year to You All, Brian + Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The seminar is broken into four 10 minute parts, and I urge everyone please to watch all of them in order. I would love to hear your comments! -Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Transcending Fear with Brian Germain 45 minute inspiring talk video link here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TranscendingFear Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Great news! We are pulling a course together at Orange, Virginia for this coming weekend! The course is open to all levels. Course start time: 9 am Saturday (2 days) Course cost: Cost removed PM Brian please ~ Ian For more about Brian's courses: http://bigairsportz.com/education.php All are welcome, no reservation necessary!! See you there! Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Throw my name in the hat for a class at SD Carolina as well. I'm sure I can talk a few others into it too. There are several jumpers with ~100 jumps around the DZ who would benefit from it. -lee Last I heard, Scott had taken a different path and had stopped teaching his course. I understand where he is coming from, it is an exhausting game. The traveling is really the hard part, especially on relationships. I have made a personal choice to keep teaching the courses, but I can't do it every weekend. I need to fun jump, climb, ground launch, ski and kayak too! Bri Yea there are definitely plenty of jumpers around with 100-250 jumps. I'll talk to the people I know and see if they are interested. I wouldn't mind taking the Scott Miller class again just as a refresher either. I still have has card. I should call him up and be like, I need you to re-unsuckify my landage man! Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Yes, I have taught at Skydive Carolina, and lot of other places. My courses vary in focus. I have and instructors' course, an advanced course, and (the most popular) general course. I skew the subject matter to fit the audience. Perhaps I will be able to do another one at your dz. Speak with the powers that be and we'll make it happen! Looking forward to it! --Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Here is a link to my latest video, with a special message!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfdNyB74LFY Blue Skies!! Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

In this sport, getting old is something of which to be proud. I've got a group photo taken at Taft in 1980 -- the camera man as well as many of the subjects didn't get old. What's so sad is that people are dying today because they're forgetting rules we learned 40 years ago: "After opening and clearing from other canopies, your first task is to make sure you have a canopy you can land." "Hook (or whatever you want to call them) turns can be dangerous." There was a hook turn fatality under a square in the 1971 fatality list. "keep your head on a swivel, look out for other canopies" "When in doubt, whip it out" If your main is doubtful, don't waste time; go for the reserve." Can anyone come up with some others? BSBD Harry How about: "It's better to be on the ground, wishing you were in the air, than in the air, wishing you were on the ground." Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

My thought was that an old skydiver can impart wisdom that a younger one cannot, regardless of the number of jumps they have under their belt. So glad you enjoyed it! --Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I think at his age, he should stop smoking altogether! Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The best part is, that was 100% improv! I had no script at all. Straight from the heart. --BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I think Billy Crystal was doing an impression of my Grampa. That's who I was playing! -BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Check out this funny video by Brian Germain about an old skydiver giving safety advice to his grandson who just graduated AFF. You are going to love it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQtn1dFhp0Y Here is the "Making Of" video showing the indepth makeup process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJfjOLBh20 Blue Skies! Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Strange stuff does happen on occasion. I wonder about the size of the opening at the base of the pilot chute. This aperture should be minimized. If the hole is small, the handle won't go through. Either way, however, this is like debating about seat belts. Yes, there are a few cases in which people have been thrown clear of the vehicle and survived as a result. Does this justify leaving your seatbelt off? This method will allow you to survive a horseshoe malfunction, and possibly even get a good deployment. I have personally tested it well over 10,000 times without a problem of any kind. I have taught literally thousands of people who still pack their pilot-chutes this way. That is a very large number of data points. You are still free to do what makes the most sense to you. In the end, that's the best way to go. --BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

That is a very unlikely possibility for sure. In 23 years of jumping, I have never seen it. Certainly the possibility exists if the hole at the base of the pilot-chute is large, so add that to your list of criterion when you purchase a pilot-chute. If anyone out there has seen this malfunction please feel free to chime in. BSG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

We should have it done this summer. I recently found a packing video I made in 1998, and discovered some stuff that we need to add. This is a HUGE topic and I want make sure that I do a good job. Thanks so much for your patience. --Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

If I understand you correctly, the way to ensure that the bridle is routed correctly is to put it on the right side of the handle, as the pilot chute is on the rig, with the handle on the bottom. That way, when you roll it all up you will have things where they need to be. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I guess the trick to staying alive is to never assume that what we are doing is the perfect way. The sport continues to evolve every time someone thinks outside the box. Keep on thinkin'!! CYA Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

It might have saved mine! Yep, I have been doing it wrong - just as you illustrated in the video. Thank you for setting me straight before it became DEAD wrong. You are most welcome! Help spread the word!! CYA Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Funny, I just got off the phone with Mike Swanson, he is at 4000 feet in the Otter at Perris! I was surprised he answered the phone! It is possible that putting the bridle inside the mesh can help to inhibit entanglements with the handle, but I think that keeping the bridle tight will really help there. Folding the bridle with the pilot chute on the rig will help you to do that. --BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Sorry, I had it on two forums at once, and apparently that is against the rules. Oops! --Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I doubt anyone would be willing to cause an intentional horse-shoe to test this, but I do know that folks have reported accidental premature deployments that have cleared due to this method. -BG Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com