Need Advice! Please Help!

[guest]

I am having trouble with a timing issue. Most of the people I jump with seem to give a fairly predictable countdown. Something like: 3...2...1...C-YA! After which they then jump. I can't quite figure out exactly when the best time during their countdown to push them off the object. Usually I do it just after 2... but recently I have been doing it just before C-YA! After 2... feels really good and leaves me quite satisfied but something was missing that I just can't place. Before C-YA! has been great too in another way. Something about the extra anticipation time I guess.
When is the actual correct time to shove them off?
And also, I have been mostly using my hands to do it. Sometimes I feel the need to kick them off with my foot. Which is correct?
Thank you for any help.

[3ringheathen]

This is a topic that's long overdue for discussion, here's my .02:
If I'm going stowed, I'll generally do whatever feels right at the time. Push them with my hands or kick them as my mood suits me.
However, if I'm going hand held, or otherwise have my hands full i.e: taking stills, I find it's easier and safer to kick them off.

Alternately, you can tie their shoe laces together (it really helps if someone else can distract them while you do this), or you can trip them. Lay on your stomach at the exit point...you can easily induce unintentional aerials by grabbing one foot as they leave.
Sure someone will probably whine about the danger of a cliff strike or entanglement with an unstable position on deployment, but believe me, if they survive they'll be totally stoked about their first double twisting front flip. They'll probably even buy you a pint.

Finally, sometimes simply talking on the radio can blow their timing so badly that you don't have to touch them. For some reason I find that especially satisfying. It's like getting paid without working or free beer.
Hope this helps, and I've got your back at the exit point
}>
-Josh

[imported_Tom Aiello]

In general, I have found that it's best to initiate the push after gear-up, but before the exit countdown has begun. If they haven't started counting at all the surprise value is greater, leading to a significantly increased entertainment value.

[yexotay]

I have never personally done this to anyone. I have thrown a potato at a person right after exit which led to a not so happy conversation after the jump:(

On another note where are you skiing on Christmas day?

[guest]

Squaw of course! Everywhere esle sucks ass!

[Skinflicka]

I find the introduction of any kind of root vegetable into a BASE jump compelling. My recommendation, based on five minutes of intense analysis, is to use a less dense, but more weighty (and hence much larger) projectile. My reasons are twofold:

1) Speed of freefall.
A less dense object will have a slower freefall. This is not immedately identifiable as an advantage. However, considering not only the time of exit but also the time under canopy immediately after opening, a genuine opportunity arrises. If the jumper falls faster than the projectile due to the optimum choice of object size and weight then it should be possible to hit him twice. Once at exit and once again when he opens. If a large projectile of significant weight is applied it could indeed be feasible to hit him and then wrap him in his canopy with one vegetable. My initial calculations determine the optimum to be somewhere between a turnip and a squash. We timed a pumpkin at the unspeakable Idaho slut bridge and it was too quick.

2) The whole Idaho / Potato / respect thing.

For leguminous newbies:

Start conservative (artichoke - nice texture quality) and move up through cucumber (easily hidden in pants - impressive too) and attempt Xtreme produce only when an experience base has been established.


Merry Christmas. Have fun.

Seriously yours,

Skin

:+

PS Big thanks to Donk for sending the Punktrain vid. I owe you one bro.

[BigBadWolf]

just after a person lets go, start screaming:
"Bridal, bridal, bridal".
of course, this has maximum effictiveness if the person is going hand held. Additionally, this works much better on newbies.
Makes 'em think if nothing else.

[346]

I still like "Wait! Rangers!" as the jumper is jogging off. Of course, this only works in particular locales...

[Skinflicka]

Bridal? Was the jumper wearing a white veil?

[Sabre_Dave]

Well, maybe we need to look at this in a different light, particularily blue arcing type light. You see, people have been pushing and kicking eachother off of stuff for thousands of years and it is about time we reflect the advancements made in technology. The gear used today is full of modern technology so I think it is fitting to step forward and raise the bar a little.
So in that spirit I would suggest that a well placed 20,000 volt zap from a hand held TAZER would be a new and exciting spin:) If your buddy always has a bad body position on exit they will snap instantly and involuntarily into a hard arch position if you hit them in the right spot! Not only that but you can then laugh at them at the LZ after they pee their pants from the jolt.
As for the timing, I think it is prudent to zap them when you hear the big exhale just before they actually start the count this way maximum surprise can be achieved!!
The only thing about this method is that it works best if the person being zapped is either being PCA'd or has attached a static line as recovery from initial hard arch inducer can sometimes take a few seconds. So think about it, max surprise at exit followed by short blackout and then coming to under canopy for even more surprise!! Best bang/zap for the buck fer sure eh!??
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

Dave

>And also, I have been mostly using my hands to
>do it. Sometimes I feel the need to kick them
>off with my foot. Which is correct?
>Thank you for any help.