Rules 2005: Jumpnumbers...

[Ken Hansen]

Jumpnumbers used to be a requirement. It was at a minimum of 200 jumps. The current rules do not have such a requirement but the issue has been raised during the season. If there is to be such a requirement, where would we draw the line?

[clare]

someone asked me that same question at the weekend, mark and myself are currently trying to get speedskydiving recognised at a national level in the uk and the BPA have asked us to submit rules and requirements. one thing that has been mentioned is that jumpers should have an FF1 requirement, however that would rule out people who dont freefly.

I accidently submited a vote for 100 jumps which I think is to low. sorry.

if the jump numbers are higher for example 250 - 300 ish could there be and intermediate competition. head up for example in a stand! it would let more people compete and keep it safer.

the main risks are malfunctions at that speed and being aware of heading and movement in a skydive which only comes with experience.

good topic to discuss

[Grant]

I voted 100, eventhough folks with this number would steer clear of speed jumping.
I think that the individual makes up the style of jump safety that they choose to learn and live with.
Naturally the higher numbers would appear safer.
With hard facts of what type/lic. skydivers are safer and open to learning new safety methods= D lic, #1 then C Lic for injuries and mainly= fatalies. I have watched the statistics for the last 13 years and it still comes up this way.
(these stats are posted each year by USPA)

[Arnold Hohenegger]

i voted "not relevant, if you qualify you are in". but the decision was not easy. first i thought 200 jumps, but i know some guys who are not save with 500 jumps. so i decided to vote "not relevant".

[Seanb]

I agree safety must come first and the only way to ensure that the competitors are kept safe and the reputation of the sport is not tarnished is by regulating who can compete. However when regulating our chosen discipline, we should be weary of not falling into a trap whereby we over regulate the sport and we need to ensure that when we define new laws we are specific in defining these laws. When we talk about jump numbers we need to be especially careful as to what we classify as a jump. I believe if we are going establish minimum jump number per competitor, we need to look purely at the competitors speed diving experience. It goes without saying that a person with 100 speed dives has a lot more experience in his chosen discipline that someone who has 500 CRW jumps and only 5 speed dives. I think that we should set a minimum of 100 speed dives and disregard his previous skydiving experience. I am not saying that his previous skydiving experience is not important but if he has been allowed by his CI to practice speed diving, his CI deems him to be safe enough to attempt this very dangerous discipline.

Blue Skies

Seanb

[Grant]

I competed with 140 jumps, I got 7th (world pts standing=#21). I'm dedicated to the sport and agree with your entry.
I have gotten 249mph in practice and I was I a more RELAXED mode. I will be fairly competitive by 200 jumps. But more importantly, I have safety minded practice and love of the sport rather than "just trying it out".