On his 21st wingsuit jump, this novice wingsuiter was flying with a more experience jumper (POV camera). Despite some separation between them, everything was going well until the newer jumper – who was above the other jumper at the time – attempted a barrel roll. The maneuver resulted in a rapid loss of altitude, the jumper flailing for a moment and then nearly hitting the other skydiver at high speed. Fortunately, there was no contact and both jumpers landed safely.
The newer jumper readily admitted that he was unfamiliar with wingsuit progression and that he hadn’t done his research. He noted that, upon further education regarding the issue, a jumper “early on in their wingsuit progression” should never attempt maneuvers like a barrel roll while flying above other jumpers.
The old truism is, “Plan the jump. Jump the plan.” It has been around for ages for a good reason. If you want to attempt exciting new maneuvers, include them in the dive flow when you’re on the ground. If they’re not safe, that gives other jumpers the opportunity to communicate and tell you that you shouldn’t try them. Alternatively, if they are safe, including your intended plan in the dive flow ensures other jumpers know what you’re going to try so that they can be ready in case your attempt doesn't quite go as planned.
This incident also largely comes down to the fact that, when learning ANY new discipline, newer jumpers need to be told what is – or is not – acceptable for them to attempt at a given skill level. Had this jumper been properly trained for this jump, this might not have happened.
On his 21st wingsuit jump, this novice wingsuiter was flying with a more experience jumper (POV camera). Despite some separation between them, everything was going well until the newer jumper – who was above the other jumper at the time – attempted a barrel roll. The maneuver resulted in a rapid loss of altitude, the jumper flailing for a moment and then nearly hitting the other skydiver at high speed. Fortunately, there was no contact and both jumpers landed safely.
The newer jumper readily admitted that he was unfamiliar with wingsuit progression and that he hadn’t done his research. He noted that, upon further education regarding the issue, a jumper “early on in their wingsuit progression” should never attempt maneuvers like a barrel roll while flying above other jumpers.
The old truism is, “Plan the jump. Jump the plan.” It has been around for ages for a good reason. If you want to attempt exciting new maneuvers, include them in the dive flow when you’re on the ground. If they’re not safe, that gives other jumpers the opportunity to communicate and tell you that you shouldn’t try them. Alternatively, if they are safe, including your intended plan in the dive flow ensures other jumpers know what you’re going to try so that they can be ready in case your attempt doesn't quite go as planned.
This incident also largely comes down to the fact that, when learning ANY new discipline, newer jumpers need to be told what is – or is not – acceptable for them to attempt at a given skill level. Had this jumper been properly trained for this jump, this might not have happened.
