"B" jumps

[guest]

I'm looking for advice on first "B" jumps. All 40 of my jumps so far have been from the same "A". 2/3rd's of these from 1200+ and the remaining 1/3rd split up between 400 and 800'. My partner and I have each PCA'd each other a couple of times from 400'. Besides the couple of PCA's all of my jumps have been with the PC stowed. The only advice I've been given so far regarding "B's" is that 5mph winds is about the max one should jump in. The building in question is roughly 250' and we plan on jumping PCA. The landing area is pretty wide open so it looks like a pretty good site. As far as I know, I've never personally met anyone that posts here, but I'm curious to hear opinions from Tom A., Skinflicka, D-dog and the like. It's not that I don't want to hear any other opinions but these guys seem to always answer questions straight forward and seem to be pretty helpful. I posted anon for fear of burning the site. Lookin' forward to hearing everyone's suggestions. :P

[imported_Tom Aiello]

> I'm looking for advice on first "B" jumps.

My honest advice is:

Don't do it!

It looks to me like you have inadequate preparation for this Building. While it might just barely be possible to be ready for it with 40 jumps, they'd have to be 40 lowish jumps from a variety (15 or 20) of different objects to make me comfortable.

You really need to go out and jump some intermediate objects before skipping straight from your beginner tower to an advanced site like a building.

In general, I've seen thoughtful people recommending 100 jumps before a building. In all honesty, I think it has to do more with what jumps you've done before. With only 6-8 jumps from slider down altitude, and all those off the same (wind-through) object, I'd worry. The last guy I know who tried this kind of jump at this level of experience smacked the building across the street (and he had more different objects to practice from). I'm not saying you can't get away with it, but I am saying that you're going to be taking a good bit of risk by doing it.

I know you feel like you have to seize your opportunity, and get off your building right freakin' now. Who knows how long the chance will last? Relax. Your building will always be there. If it gets shut down, closed up, or demolished, there will always be other buildings. Construction goes on all the time, and if you're really determined, all it will take is a weekend trip to another city to get off a building next year.

> All 40 of my jumps so far have been from the same "A".

This is a definite danger sign. You have your tower wired, and probably feel pretty confident about it. Don't let this fool you into thinking a building is no big deal. In my opinion, number of objects jumped is a better indicator of real BASE experience than number of total jumps (number of new objects opened is an even better one).

What are the conditions like on your tower? If it's got a big, wide open landing area (as many do), you're probably not well prepared for the landing area in a city. It may look wide open from the ground, but they have a way of shrinking when you're under canopy.

> 2/3rd's of these from 1200+ and the remaining 1/3rd split up between 400 and 800'.

That puts you at one sixth of forty (so 6-8) jumps from slider down altitude. And none from under 400'. Another warning sign. You need to gain some experience at your intended (sub 300') exit altitude on an easy object before moving to a building.

>My partner and I have each PCA'd each other a couple of times from 400'. Besides the couple of PCA's all of my jumps have been with the PC stowed.

That's bad too. If you've only got a couple PCA's how experienced will you be at holding the PC for your partner? I know I wouldn't feel very comfortable on a 250' building, knowing my PC holder was inexperienced, and thus prone to hold too tight (and strip my center cell, thereby degrading my opening heading), or drop my PC altogether, getting me open lower than expected (I once dropped a friend's PC from 220', and I still feel bad about it--and he didn't even get hurt. Then again, he had literally hundreds of sub 250' jumps at that point--do you?).

>The only advice I've been given so far regarding "B's" is that 5mph winds is about the max one should jump in.

That's pretty general advice. Without actually seeing the building in question, and your canopy skills, it's hard to know what the "jumpable winds" would be. I've jumped buildings in 20 mph winds, and I've also backed off of buildings in 3 mph winds. It totally depends on the building.

I'd advise finding an experienced Building jumper and getting them to scope the object with you (I'm guessing this will be pretty hard for you, though, or you wouldn't be here looking for advice).

> The building in question is roughly 250' and we plan on jumping PCA.

At 250 feet, from a building, a bad PCA could be real trouble. If you drop the PC, or hold on too tight (degrading heading), you could be in for some excitement. I'd definitely recommend doing some more PCA's from your tower (or better yet, another object) to help the PC holder practice his technique.

And, by the way, does that mean that you are running two loads, so that you can each PCA the other? Or is one of you static lining? Or are you leaving ground crew in the building after the jump (options 1 and 3 obviously increase your bust potential).

At the very least, I'd try to set up some "practice" runs on your tower.
1) Do the jumps from 250' (that'll give you an idea of your canopy time), and try to follow the exact flight pattern you'll use on the building.
2) Mark off a landing area somehow (in a way that is easy to remove and non-permanent), and be sure you can hit it with the required approach (remember, hitting the edge of your designated LZ in a wide open field means hitting an obstacle on final, or careening into a wall just after landing, in a city).
3) Be sure you can correct off-headings and still make the landing area (and don't forget that on your tower, you've probably got a tailwind to help you clear the object--on a building you won't have this, since the wind can't blow through a building).
4) Practice your "stuff and run" technique. It sounds silly, but seconds can count when you're stuffing your rig into the trunk as a cop cruises through the parking lot (sorry about that, D).

> Lookin' forward to hearing everyone's suggestions.

I still think it sounds like a bad idea. It also sounds like you're going to do it anyway. So, I'll refrain from lecturing you, and try to give constructive advice that may help reduce your chance of injury, death or bust.

1) Do some practice jumps from your intended altitude, with your intended approach.
2) Thoroughly rehearse your bust/escape procedures (including who is going to bail you out of jail if the entire load is busted). Drive the escape route (and have alternates planned) several times the day of the jump.
3) Have ground crew with radios, and stay in touch with them.
4) Be sure to have a cell phone on hand to call 911 in the event of emergency.
5) Wear every ounce of protective gear you can lay your hands on.
6) Resist the temptation to wear a camera. If you want video, give the camera to your girlfriend on the ground, and have her film. You don't need the extra distraction. Better yet, forego the video entirely (cue Skinflicka with a witty comment here).
7) Remember that the jump isn't over until you're at home, drinking a beer. Don't get busted high fiving in the parking lot.
8) Be absolutely certain your family won't go after your friends if you go in on this jump. It's a real possibility, and you need to prepare for it.
9) Most importantly: DON'T BE AFRAID TO BACK OFF. Even if you're geared up at the exit point, it's not too late to reconsider. Don't pump yourself up so much that you make a bad decision. Once your off the exit point, there is no going back, and getting your B will be small consolation when you're laying in the hospital.

I know that there are a couple people who lurk or post on this board who have done exactly this (building jumps at low jump numbers with inadequate preparation and/or minimal guidance). If you can get some of them to share their experiences (in particular the "I wish I had" kind of things) that might help you a lot. Y? Skdvr18? I know you've both been here. Anyone want to give some advice?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[d-dog]

Tom, as is often the case, has given sound, conservative advice for you to consider. Given this, and rather than offering alternative advice, what I'd like to offer are some supplemental suggestions and questions/ideas.

First question, how "wide open" is the landing area, really? If we are talking a grassy park the size of several football fields that is one thing; off-headings are less dangerous, ceteris paribus, winds are less squirrely, and setup is less canopy control-dependant in an qualitative way with a big, wide, friendly landing area that extends 120+ degrees from your exit than it is with the typical, dodgy B landing zones.

Remember that, "big comfy" landing areas from the ground often look much less so at exit point, in the dark, etc. Particularly from 250 feet (or below) things happen fast - even with a good PCA.

I strongly second Tom's warning that a bad PCA from your partner (or you) can induce off-headings or worse. I know this from firsthand experiences, having had PCA off-headings up to 60 degrees on three jumps so far in my career. It CAN happen, all the way up to 180 (I know of several examples) and it is a technique-dependent skill to give a good PCA. Only experience truly helps (plus good instruction from an experienced jumper), and often on Bs the location from which one must PCA is not ideal - making a good PCA harder to accomplish still.

Tom's advice to try several dry-run jumps from 250 feet on your A is both sound and reasonable. The visuals from that height are quite different from 400 feet, as is the response time necessary for set-up and the ability to make turns on setup to prep for landing without inducing inadvertent hook-turn-ish landings which can really, really hurt.

I've never been accused of being either reasonable or conservative in my jumping, so here's my own, personal $0.02: if you decide to do this B jump, even after following Tom's prep advice, making practice jumps from 250 feet, et al., you are rolling the dice. With conditions perfect and a truly cushy landing area, I'd say there's a 20+% chance you or your mate will have a substantive injury from the jump, bad enough to go to the hospital. If this happens, you'll burn this object for sure, as well.

Jumping Bs is techncial, complex, and overall quite risky. Wind patterns in downtown areas follow chaotic attractor patterns and can be very hard to predict, let alone understand. Some Bs from some exit points are un-jumpable even with a variable 5mph wind - we have one in our town, in fact. Law enforcement drama is quite likely. Concrete is HARD for landing and object strike. Etc., etc.

If you really want to get a B, but want to do more than try to become an autopoetical, self-trained B jumper, then here's an offer: road trip to a locale with some experienced jumpers who will mentor you off your first B. Plan it in advance, work with these jumpers to do some practice skill development before you turn up on their doorstep, and learn as much as you can about the wily B which will serve you well in your future career. After all, you might get off your B once or twice safely, but if you want to jump lots of Bs all around the world, you have to learn about them from others who know - and that's more than half the fun!

Ground crew and first pint are on us in Portland if you'd like to come out here - I got my first B with less than 50 jumps, though I was coached by several very experienced and wise jumpers all along the way. I still consider myself a B "intermediate," at best - I've opened a few, but always with second opinions from other jumpers of similar or higher exprience.

Opening a B is as challenging as opening a new E - both require lots of skill, experience, and knowledge to do safely. Even with all that, the first jump off a B or E is a roll of the dice - part of the fun, but also systemic risk with which you must be truly comfortable and willing to face worst-case consequences.

Finally, I again strongly second Tom's advice for you to put your affairs in order NOW, at this stage of your jumping career. Have a will, have it signed and filed properly with the state in which you live, have a document that clearly states why you jump and that you don't hold your jumping mates (or anyone but yourself) responsible if you go in or get badly hurt. Have multiple copies of these records saved with multiple, trustworthy parties.

It will only take you a few hours to do all this, but if you neglect to do so and go in, it will take your friends and loved ones weeks and months of heart-wrenching time to make up for your oversight.

Also, think of it this way: in our universe, it seems like the more prepared we are for something, the less likely it is to happen. Have a flashlight on a hike? Then you won't get caught out in the dark. Extra gas tank in the back of your car? You'll never run out of gas and need it, trust me. However, forget to bring a raincoat on a hike and it's bound to rain, right?

Ergo, good prep work of post-life documents is, by Murphy's Law (or whatever we call the tendency of the universe), good preventative medicine for fatalities. See my logic?

Be careful out there - injuries like those Tom and I have suffered in our careers thus far never really heal 100%. Let us be crash-test jumpers so that you can jump more safely, and have more fun.

Peace,

D-d0g
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com

[gowaylow]

Tom,
Thats the best post on this board in a long time. I hope he takes your advice. I laughed when I read his post and was about to give him my theroy on freefalling verses PCA sub '300 "B" just to stir the pot. By the way the theory does work in my mind }>
I will for go that for now just to keep a good thread on track. By the way where did you first hear it's not over until your at home drinking beer???


have a go way low day
naked base #7 }> }> }> }>

[guest]

I would have to say don't jump one until you have been in the sport for a while. I jumped a B on my 22nd jump and hit it.

[Skypuppy]

I'd prefer to d-bag over PCA. How about it, Tom?

[imported_Tom Aiello]

Although I am probably in the minority among BASE jumpers today, I prefer a direct bag to either a PCA or a Static Line.

See:

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...&forum=board#5

http://www.blincmagazine.com/cgi-bin...43&forum=board

For a few opinions.

In general, I think that a D-Bag will give better heading and more consistent openings than a static line (because there is no center cell strip or resulting pack job deformation with the D-Bag). With a skillful PCA, you can get results approaching the D-Bag, but, in my opinion, the D-Bag takes less skill, so your assistant can be less practiced.

There are quite a few threads in the archives on this topic. I am definitely in the minority on this, so be sure to read other people's opinions and consider them.

As always, thanks to Gowaylow and MD #1 for keeping me alive when I was learning to D-bag.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[base587]

Wow, stellar posts Tom and Doug!

(Er, I better not say what jump number I opened my first B.....I lose my good nature with anonymous flames....)

Spence
&-) &-) &-)

BTW: Damn Tom, I wish I could join you and BPS in Europe....let's see...if I sold my motorcycle...?

:'(

[eyespyeye]

Murphy's law states that you can't rely on Murphy's law.

[Thomas]

I left the board a week ago because there were not enough posts like this. This is a valuable post. Thanks to whoever started it. And I must also agree, Tom and Doug have given great advice. Maybe not what you want to hear, or believe, but KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EXPERIENCE. that is the best advice in my mind, and also why I listen carefully to what these two guys say. may not always do it, but it takes quite an ego to disregard their advice.
my .02, I had 33 jumps off the Perrine Bridge, all slider off, before moving to my SECOND object, which was a tower, slider off just like the bridge I had been doing. I studied video of my jumps, deployments, judged altitudes of openings, and researched well, before going to a local 300 foot antenna. and I am glad I did my research. I was hoping to go hand held, but when I got there, the choice was one hand awkward tower grip launch, or go stowed from 300' from a NEW object, and have a good, stable launch. I knew from research that going stowed, just like I was about to do, gives me an opening that takes 150'. so, I was comfortable with the situation, and made the jump successfully ( I think she was a virgin.)
and made 90 jumps from A's and the perrine before taking on my first E. which scared me big time, all the way through the jump. but I was prepared, even for the 40 degree water landing/swimming. I have 92 jumps now, and have not hit a building yet. not that I wouldn't, but no need to rush it. as stated before, the buildings aren't going anywhere, and new ones are built all the time. I don't mind dying while BASE jumping, but don't get me wrong, I'm in NO HURRY to do so. hopefully, I die on my 10,000th BASE jump, when I am 85 years old, arthritic, and just been diagnosed with cancer. which is a long way off.
by the way, I'm trying to quit them right handed cigarettes. I enjoy the left handers much more, and they aren't near as cancerous. September 2nd is my last day smoking cigarettes. If you ever see me smoking ciggies after that date, give me hell about it, maybe even a punch in the face. I would be happy to get punched in the face for smoking ciggies after I SAID I am quitting.
I try to be a man of my word. sometimes, this means talking less, and not saying certain things.
I can handle that.
Peace out,
Thomas :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

[guest]

I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's advice. I was away from the computer all weekend and was anxious to see everybody's opinions. This is definitely not a jump that I'm rushing into or taking lightly. I've been scoping this building for some time now, checking out security and burning the landing area and surroundings into memory. I didn't mean to imply I was going to be jumping this soon, I was just trying to gather as much info as possible. Once again, thanks to all who posted! Oh yeah, D-dog, don't be surprised if I take you up on that offer to come out west.

[guest]

Nice post Thomas. It's good to see you back. Seriously.

Happy Jumping.

[d-dog]

You are always welcome. I've even heard rumors from folks that they have a fairly good time with us out here.

Peace,

D-d0g
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com