Lesson learned

[imported_mknutson]

on 2/23/00 a relativly new jumper left a cliff in moab utah and deployed a field packed rig. He streamered into the talus and hit at approximately 60 mph. He rolled down the talus like a rag doll for approximately 60 yards. He was air evacuated to Grand Junction Colorado. His condition is unknown at this time, but he is alive. I have included a photo of the canopy as we found it with the tail pocket tucked in to the daisy chain. The jumper was jumping borrowed gear and never checked or re-packed the rig. The moral of this story is, well, I will let you figure that one out

Have a G}>WayL}>w day

http://www.baselogic.com/images/base/knot2.jpg
image by 321cya.com
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Thanks

Mick Knutson
BLiNC Magazine

"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know who to ask."
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[guest]

Mick said,
>The moral of this story is, well, I will let you figure that one out

Gee Mick, there are people out here who might not have the experience to figure it out. The fact this fellow did what he did makes that obvious.

(I’ve already heard someone say which direction you daisy chain is important, WHAT?)

The knee jerk reaction is get a pre-jump gear check. But, that's not right as a pre-jump gear check wouldn't necessarily include opening the container.

The real moral here is simple. And one parachute riggers already know, but jumpers always ignore.

"A field packed rig *should look* field packed!"

(This means fabric hanging out, flagged in some way, or just not made to look jumpable).

This has happened before of course (hasn't everything)? Back in 1981 a sailplane pilot in San Diego purchased a glider with a parachute included. It was a chest mount and a harness and he assumed it was fine, after all, to a wuffo (and now, oh my God, to new BASE jumpers) a parachute is a parachute, right?

Well, the very same thing happened (field packed to look jumpable, lines daisy chained) except in this case, it killed him.

However, here is the bigger question involving this latest case.

Could you, have you, or would you, ever jump a BASE rig you didn't personally pack without at least checking to see if the pilot chute bridle is connected to something?

You must admit though, fate, luck, karma, etc, played a part here. I wonder why? (Not wishing anything at all bad on this person, in fact I hope he fully recovers, I just wonder, will he be President someday . . .

Nick_BR

[guest]

Here's my two cents worth (and that's most likely all it's worth). NO one should point fingers. True the jumper should check his gear, but the individual loaning the gear should have some knowledge of the rig condition. Every one jumps borrowed gear at some point in their life and we place trust in both ourselves and the loaner when we jump that gear. This is a sport where the hurt potential is huge. Hopefully we can learn from these accidents and prevent more of them. Check your gear, check the gear you borrow, check the gear you loan, check your friends' gear at exit point. It never hurts to check and double check.

jeremy

[guest]

This is actually the fourth time I have heard of this.

There was an incident at Bridge Day in 1997 that was well documented. That individual survived thanks to his friend convincing him not jump over the tracks.

Like any accident there are a number of links in the chain and usually more than one must fail before things go bad.

On a daily basis I'm amazed at the amount of complacency I witness with parachute equipment.

I make the stuff, and don't have the blind trust in it I see from many jumpers.

Unless it is properly manufactured, assembled maintained and packed a rig is no more a life saving device than a pile of scrap nylon is a parachute.


So here are some "nuggets": They are as old as dirt yet we still have occasion to quote them.

"Borrowed gear kills"
"Look before you leap"

(This one's an original) "Darwin Lurks"!



Adam

[guest]

Natural selection like gravity never sleeps,if you jump a rig that you did not pack you are and soon may become a bloody idiot,if you don,t know what your doing base can be fatal,play safe andy west.

[guest]

I remember my first jump... standing on the edge of a big ol' bridge, wearing borrowed gear. i looked at my base pappa and said " are you sure this things gonna open?" - he looked me strait in the eye with a quirky little smirk and said "do ya wanna trade?"

"naw, that's all i needed."

[guest]

Several points:

1st... This thread was started by GoWayLow!
2nd...This posting is by Mick Knutson.

3rd...The rig that was field packed, did not look field packed.

4th...Don't assume that anyone knows better!

5th...Never jump gear you have not fully inspected!

6th...Nathan just walked through the hallway by himself!!!!!!!!

He is just really bruised up!

Mick Knutson...

[guest]

I have about 100 base jumps & make about 10 a year now, not that much. I know when I go to moab, it's like going to Disney World. Everyone is so excited, ready to jump right then. It's like going to Disney World with NO WAITING LINES! But that should not stop us from taking a deep breath, relaxing, enjoing the moment & CHECKING our gear! We all need to slow it down a notch. Enjoy one jump at a time. I know I sometimes have to stop, relax, walk & not run to the no waiting lines in MOAB.

Safe Jumping

[guest]

Thanks for letting us no He is ok. I was glad it wasn't Wes from Phoenix! Be safe out there guys!

[guest]

Mick! I jumped with a relatively new jumper (~57 BASE jumps) last weekend. His name was Nathan and he was going to Moab. Blond hair, blue eyes, about 21, from Iowa but living in west Florida now? Is this the same Nathan that got hurt there??????

Just bruised up?????

-Chris

[guest]

This is the very same person!

[guest]

I too remember my first jump. Standing on the top of a 485' tower. I turned and asked my base pappa "are you sure this is going to work?" I don't remember what he said but it did. Thanks Tip-Toe. Call me sometime.

Erich

[guest]

Michelle,
Remember what I said about the chain of events that leads to an accident? Adam knows.
Miss you guys, wish I was there.

[guest]

pretty funny mick, but you can stop pulling our leg now.
april fools day is a month away.

no one would be this stupid.

would they?

[imported_mknutson]

I am very sad in a way, to say this is not a joke.
A person left their gear in a pile at the packing area in Moab.
This person DID NOT say it was OK to jump. He thought (assumed) that his friend would be re-packing all the rigs.

The jumper in question did not re-pack or open the rig to fully check the contents.
He assumed that it was OK.

He got real lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do not assume anything!
Be careful out there!

--
Thanks

Mick Knutson
BLiNC Magazine

"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know who to ask."
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