Throwing "UP" PC

[BASE_689]

I read in a lot of posts by various extremely experienced BASE jumpers that in case of ultra low freefal the "trick" is to "throw the PC upwards".
Such a gesture, while on one side would seem obvious, on the other side is difficult for me to understand how it works/how it can be done.
The physics/geometry/whatever of my shoulder/arm/elbow/forearm/wrist/hand simply does NOT allow me, once I am freefalling flat and stable face to earth, to throw my PC "UP" (unless just opening my hand, but I do understand this is NOT a tremendously smart trick).
With my shoulder/arm I simply cannot go "back"/"past" the plane of my body. Simply I cannot. Even in a slighty head high position of freefall I can hardly figure out how to throw PC "UP".
What I can do is to throw my PC at the (right) side of my body with any strenght/energy I like, but my joints simply do not allow me to pitch "UPWARDS" (=towards the back of my body while in freefall).
If any experienced juper out there could explain better how a "PC throw up" can be achieved, I would appreciate so much. Also few pictures would greatly help to understand how the "PC throw UP" can be done.
Thanks so much

Stay safe out there
Blue Skies and Soft Walls
BASE #689 :D
e-mail: base_689@yahoo.com

[Bryan]

I once saw an Indy jumper do this at a relatively low S in the East. He held the mushroom folded pc with in inward facing fist and his arms at torso level. The bridal had decent slack and was, of course, routed over top of his arm. He jumped and threw both arms up , like in a "what the phuck" type gesture. Seem to work pretty well. Bridal stretch and pc inflation was very quick. If he reads this maybe he can elaborate on the technique.

[motherhucker]

It's done just like throwing a crumpled up trespassing ticket over your shoulder.

[neiljarvis]

I am not the most experienced jumper with low altitude freefalls but the technique which I was shown by one of the most experienced jumpers in this area was as follows:

Pitching the p/c as you exit on the 45 degree. Try to imagine you are shooting a basketball hoop but only using your right hand.

2 of the above posters suggest that you are flat and stable. If this occurs you have missed the boat.

flame away

[Slim]

It was Dwain that had a lot of theories on this topic and I know he would have been very tempted to post to this question.

It is of course impossible to throw the pilot chute directly behind you as you have described.

The idea is to project the PC directly up and above your head. Similar to how you might throw a tennis ball if you were trying to throw it as high in the air as possible. This works well with a more head high body angle of course.

The idea is to get bridle stretch as quickly as possible and to minimise the amount of oscillation and movement of the PC before extraction.

Pretty simple idea really but with a primed velcro rig and this technique I have free fallen 159ft over solid ground with a Mojo 280 in a Vision. I would not recommend this but it is possible. A Vtec'd smaller canopy would be far more appropriate.

TIP - AS you make lower FF's do it progressively and learn your gear. Tune your equipment gradually.

Good Luck

SLIM


Australian BASE Association

[Bryan]

No where in my post did I suggest that he was flat and stable. In fact, the jumper was at a nice head-high attitude. I was simply explaining in brief detail what I witnessed.

I personally like to launch strong, up and out at a 45deg. angle. I try to time my pc throw, so that bridal stretch occurs just prior to descent (mushroomed pc so that it has weight to carry it to bridal stretch). I just throw the pc up over my head in a comfortable way without contorting my body or over-amping the throw. In theory, pc inflation should immediately follow bridal stretch just as you pass the exit point.

[Ray Losli]

E-Mail Spence about PC behind you technique. he has a very unique style of pitch that is so simple its over looked. Dwain and him had a couple discussions of this style for low freefall.
...Ray...
base587@dropzone.com

[Ray Losli]

base587@dropzone.com ---- Spence / MAIL ,not mine sorry

[base587]

Hi there

I had the same issues myself. For low FF's I would try to throw the pilot chute up much like you say and it would often distort my launch.

You won't believe how easy the solution is.

BACKHAND PC toss!

There is nothing you have to do different with regards to s-folding the PC or managing the bridle.

The toss follows the natural arc of your arms with the launch. You can actually improve the quality of your launch because you are using the inertia of your arms in the upswing. Also your arms remain completely symmetrical with each other so no inadvertent twisting after you pitch.

Steve Scott from BC, Canada used this technique back in 1991 for a go n'throw from a cliff.

It allowed me to drop my freefalls from 210' into the sub-180 ft range (vtec) comfortably. (4-5 sec canopy flights)

What's new is old.

[georgechurchill]

Could there be an issue with burble from the jumper with this method ?
I thought the idea about a "BOC" PC or Hand held PC, (as opposed to a spring mounted PC, for example) is that its launched into clean air.

George

[BASE_689]

>BACKHAND PC toss!
>The toss follows the natural arc of your arms with the launch.
I am starting to understand...
Could/would you post few pictures? Some few "in action" pictures? If "in action" pictures are not available, could/would you take few picture of yourself "on the carpet" simulating the movement?
Thanks mate ;-)

Stay safe out there
Blue Skies and Soft Walls
BASE #689 :D
e-mail: base_689@yahoo.com

[imported_Tom Aiello]

>Could there be an issue with burble from the jumper with this method ?

At zero airspeed, there will be no burble. Done properly, the PC should reach bridle extension above the exit point. It's impossible for the jumpers burble to be above the exit under normal conditions.


--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[Slim]

I would also like to see a photo of this approach. I don't disagree with it, just there are several interpretations of what this could mean. Underarm backwards, over the shoulder backwards or swinging the arms outwards backwards.

I am not convinced it will get the PC to "bridal stretch" as quickly. I have seen people get the PC to bridal stretch using the earlier method before they have even exited. ie the PC was deployed and working above the actual exit point.

It's interesting to see so many more jumpers with input on these techniques.

Heh Spence - the Mc Konkeys have really brought new life to low boring objects here

Luv

SLIM
Australian BASE Association

[Faber]

Slim could you post pics of your approach as well, i would like to see that aswell.

Anybody who has video of these different tecnics? i would like to see them if i can. they can be mailed to me(10mb limit).
Thanks

[base587]

Hi there

Sorry most of those jumps were done at night so no photos.

I have some video of a jump that might help if I can figure out how to upload some stills.

Hey Slim...freefell the little local waterfall today :o 4 sec ride.