Skydive incident

Jump #3095 • Cutaway #1

It may have been silly and self-induced, but I’m happy I managed over 3000 jumps with no mals, and the reserve drills muscle memory kicked in when I needed it.

Ultimately this was caused by a very poor throw of my pilot chute. From the slow motion video at the end it looks like it might have gotten caught in the BOC a bit, but really if I’d been more positive with the throw it wouldn’t have happened.

With the PC in my burble (or stuck in the BOC, hard to tell), the bridle wrapped around it and prevented it from inflating. There was then not enough force to extract the d-bag from the container, and still not enough to extract the canopy from the bag once I pulled that out myself.

I was altitude aware throughout thanks to my @caelumsystems Talkable, and went to full reserve drills before 2000ft. You can just about hear the Talkable say “one nine” once the reserve opens.

Funnily enough, the main started to open just as I began punching the cutaway, so my @uptvector Skyhook actually deployed the reserve. A few more seconds though and it likely would have led to a cutaway for different reasons, so no regrets… and the @performancedesigns Optimum flew like a bus and landed great 🧈

🤓 Learning points? 🤓
Throw better… and look for the horizon after locating handles on a high speed mal… reserves. open quick from terminal!

Yesterday, one of my worst nightmares came true.

Besides a missed pull, one of my biggest fears has always been flipping over on exit in a wingsuit. Ironically, I had been dreaming about exactly that for weeks… then it actually happened.

It was a normal day, perfect conditions. I was well rested, mentally clear and ready for my usual jump at Brento.
I was working on my push — something I’ve always struggled with, especially when doing something new. It’s the first thing I tend to lose. I’ve spent hundreds of jumps building decent exits with other suits, so I know my limits and I know this still needs work.
I have thousands of skydives, freefly and angle jumps, some vertical tunnel experience, and over a thousand BASE jumps, probably 600–700 at Brento alone. Slick, aerials, head-down, sliding down the snow on inflated unicorns… you name it 😅
I’ve never considered myself naturally talented, but I’ve always had determination and discipline.

Before starting wingsuiting, I promised myself I would invest in training and not rush progression. After around 100 ATC jumps and 7 hours of wingsuit tunnel I felt ready for Brento. After the loss of a few very close friends, that affected me deeply, I worked with a therapist to learn how to manage panic, stay lucid and make clear decisions when facing my fears.

I’ve analysed this jump extensively with experienced jumpers I trust, and I understand what went wrong and what led to the flip.

I’m sharing the video for informational purposes, especially for those who might be rushing their progression in this discipline.
I strongly believe you need a solid foundation before getting into wingsuiting: good skydiving experience, freefly, effective tracking, aerials, different exits — build as many skills as you can.

When things go wrong, experience is what gives you options and can save your ass.

Don’t look for shortcuts. Put the work in. Train. Be humble. Stay at Brento! Don’t change exits because your friends are doing it. Don’t let peer pressure rush your progression. Respect the sport, know your limits, and take your time.

I’m good, resetting and will be back at it very soon! 🤍