Tracking - In Knowledge base

[base_bin]

Hi

The above article on this site states:

"Our fears and real risks don’t match very well. Dumping high vs. taking it low is a very good example. On most slider-up jumps lower is safer!"

Sorry for being ignorant, can someone explain why opening lower is safer?

[willz]

Originally Posted by base_bin

Hi

The above article on this site states:

"Our fears and real risks don’t match very well. Dumping high vs. taking it low is a very good example. On most slider-up jumps lower is safer!"

Sorry for being ignorant, can someone explain why opening lower is safer?

Its safer, to a point (obviously).
Also, when that article was written I don't think people were tracking right next to walls.

What I think is meant by the quote is that when you're tracking, the lower you go, the further you are away from the object, so there's less chance of an object strike if you have some malfunction or off heading. And since BASE openings are fairly consistent (ie, no long snivels), you are pretty sure to open in a predictable height.

So, basically, if lets say you jump off a 1200 ft wall and track until pull time, its safer to open at 400 feet than 700 because you'll be further away from the wall (once open) if you happen to have an off-heading/other mal.
At least, thats how I understand it and what I've gotten from talking to the author...

[base_bin]

cheers ppl for your responses much appreciated. good to read the article esp the bit where you track furthest in the last second, so dont give up.....track til canopy deploys.

one more (stupid) q....does jumping from an aircraft in perfect base position/stance/exit provide you with any decent practice for the real thing? obv not jumping into same air type but perhaps being able to get in same tracking position in quick time is good? just trying to work out whats good to practice apart besides tracking, canopy control etc.

read about that norwegian base school which has that cable which allows you to practice exits from objects 9m up......saw this on tv in Aus few years ago. (base jump off cliff & sweeps you across valley floor)......is this the best exit practice besides doing the real thing? if so why not more available - didnt seem too costly? could have them anywhere in world.