B-12's on BASE rigs

[base428]

Why aren't they more accepted? Jumpers think I'm nuts for having B-12's on all my BASE and skydiving rigs. I say they're safer and smarter. Here's why....

1) If I land in the water, I'll be out of my harness about 10 seconds quicker than someone without B-12's. I simply undo the B-12's and slide my harness over my head like I'm taking off a T-shirt. If YOU land in fast moving water, you'll probably get sucked under before you can find your tiny little cutaway handle or even attempt to get out your harness.

So you haven't landed in water or had to get out of your harness yet? You haven't been jumping long enough.......and those tiny little BASE cutaway handles aren't that easy to spot when you're floating down a fast moving river. I can get out of my harness in less than 5 seconds.

2) B-12's allow me to quickly get out of my harness after, let's say, unsanctioned parachute jumps. I always stuff the parachute into the stuff sack first, then undo the B-12's and remove the harness just like a T-shirt. It's quick and simple.

TIP: Never take off your harness before stuffing your parachute into the stuff sack. You never want to get caught with all your gear laying on the ground (unless you don't mind losing your rig). If you stuff your 'chute first, then you can always run with the harness still on your back and the stuff sack in your hands.

3) I can't remember the last time a B-12 failed, although I'm sure it's happened before.

Please give me a good reason to not use B-12's!
Have a good weekend everyone....


------------
Jason Bell (BASE428)
Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

[imported_Tom Aiello]

B-12's are also far easier to get into in narrow, confined spaces.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[kevinmcguire]

I once got out of my B-12 equiped rig and stuffed it into my stash bag while I was in a flat out sprint. I don't have B-12s any more but every time I make a jump where it may be important to leave in a hurry, I think about how nice that was.

[Clif Huckstable]

They look retarded.
I'm cooler than anyone so I need to maintain my steez and dem hoopty ass b12s don't fly. Do you also wear neon patch pants with them?

[base587]

...quit sniffin' the jet fuel n' go ski off sumthin'.

[K]

>I once got out of my B-12 equiped rig and stuffed it into my
>stash bag while I was in a flat out sprint. I don't have B-12s
>any more but every time I make a jump where it may be
>important to leave in a hurry, I think about how nice that
>was.
>

This must have been years ago! Flat out sprint? Certainly not now that wedding belt around your waist is growing heavy with the years and with broken feet to boot! (I can say this because I know you love me.)

I never thought of B-12's as anything other than student gear to be avoided at all costs. After speaking with Jason at Bridge Day I realized how narrow minded this attitude was. I can get out my gear quickly in water using a quick-release threading on my chest strap and quicly loosening my legstraps, but getting out of my rig while running would be tricky at best. B-12's are back on my personal list of options when ordering new gear.

Peace, and soft landings,
Karen

[kevinmcguire]

Karen,
You must have me mistaken for some one else. I'm dead sexy-always have been and you know it. I have never broken a bone jumping but I have brused them couple of times, and yes you are correct, it was many years ago. Presently I think of running as an emergency procedure. The old knees just don't like it any more.
Kevin

[Yuri]

Yo !

I like B-12 and use them on my general-purpose rigs. It is a very convenient option, and it comes really handy in a variety of situations. You don't realize how nice they are until you try.

However i do not put B-12 on wingsuit rigs - you cannot get to them quickly under a suit and generally don't need to anyway.

bsbd!

Yuri.