who's on first (base)

[guest]

I would like,hope,plan, to make my first b.a.s.e. jump on bridge day.....
I will be there with a close friend with mucho base expierience....I have many skydives and good canopy control, however.........

I have no b.a.s.e. rig
I have no knowledge
I have no clean laundry


Any feed-back, suggestions, comments, concerns or clean shirts would be helpfull


Blue skies-
Green buds-

Bob

[guest]

We've had enough pothead injuries this year. Why don't you stay in the airplane!

[guest]

that was informative.....thanks


puff......puffff.


errrrrrr..........what were we talking about again ?


B

[guest]

get a rig
read some literature
do your laundry

[imported_Tom Aiello]

First, read:

http://www.blincmagazine.com/content...p/3d/r/2?lang=

It's a good starting point. It's a long time between now and Bridge Day, so you may as well read pretty much everything in the "Knowledge BASE" section of this site.

I'd also recommend reading:

http://www.basejump.org/

click on "Articles".

OK, with that basis:

BASE rig:

1) Buy Gear: You still have time to buy your own rig before Bridge Day. If you are planning on actually getting into BASE, that's definitely the way to go. You're way better off to have your own BASE specific gear from the start. So, order gear now, as BASE manufacturers are both notoriously slow and notoriously backed up going into Bridge Day. If that's not an option (say, you haven't got the quick two grand handy), you'll need to find a rig some other way. My advice is not to go until you have your own gear.

2) Rent gear: Some of the gear manufacturers rent gear for Bridge Day. For sample rates, see:

http://www.vertigobase.com/html/prod_pricelist.htm

Keep in mind that they may charge more for Bridge Day, when every scrap of gear on earth is in demand. I'm not sure which manufacturers do rent gear (aside from Vertigo, who has it on their web page), but call around. If memory serves, you are in Florida, so you'll probably want to check in with Morpheus ( http://www.baserig.com/home.html ) whichever way you go.

3) Borrow gear: Lots of people borrow gear for their first jumps. Be careful doing this, as most people only loan out their oldest, dodgiest gear. In general I'd avoid this option for two reasons: (a) you'll likely get gear of questionable quality, (b) if you damage the gear, you'll be faced with replacing a set of gear that you don't know the value of.

4) Convert skydiving gear: Lots of people have done this, too. I am personally so against it, that I hope the Bridge Day folks outlaw it. With real BASE specific gear available, why risk your life jumping something not intended for the task?

Knowledge:

This web page is a good place to start.

1) Read everything you can dig out of the "Knowledge BASE" section.

2) Follow this forum (try to ignore the useless political drivel and personal infighting).

3) You would also be well served to check out the following web sites (in addition to those listed above):

http://www.crmojo.com/frame_main.htm
(click on "Library")

http://www.basicresearch.com/
(click on "First BASE jump"--and try to ignore the photo of someone landing off a 175' cliff, as that is hopefully not a first jump photo)

4) Find your local BASE jumpers and tag along. Ground crew some loads, watch them pack, listen to them talk, etc. Just hanging around is a great way to learn.

Clean Laundry:

Go visit your Mom. Just "happen" to bring along a bunch of dirty laundry. Spread it around the floor a bit and wait a day or two. Repeat as necessary.


I would recommend taking a First Jump Course from a manufacturer (probably Morpheus,as they are nearest you), rather than just going to Bridge Day, but you have apparently already decided against that (likely for financial reasons). That is, of course, your decision, but be aware that taking shortcuts to save money is almost always a good way to get hurt in this sport.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[imported_Tom Aiello]

Oh, yeah. I also have a pretty biased "how to get into BASE" article that I originally wrote for the Rockhopper, but then didn't send in in time for publishing. It basically outlines what I wish someone had told me to do before I started BASE.

It doesn't bear directly on your case (as I don't recommend making your first jump at Bridge Day), but if you want it, drop me an email and I'll send you a copy.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[guest]

Right on Tom.......good advice

I'm now leaning towards NOT making my first BASE on bridge day.The landing area looks very tight and unforgiving as well as other(many) factors.

All the reasons I have for wanting to try it do not outweigh the reasons for holding off (for now).

I think it will be fun just to go and hang out.I'm sure I will learn alot from that expierience alone.


I may just open a laundry stand by the water.

Blue skies

Bob