Fly Free Skydiving Forum

So I don't know if anyone has seen the new GoPro HD Hero cameras http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=29...but they're these little HD video cameras that give an awesome point-of-view on things. They're small and compact and when I'm filming things (like snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, cycling, etc.) I often forget it's there because they're so light weight and small...I've read the SIM and it suggests a MINIMUM of at least 200 jumps before jumping with a camera. I'm not one to push boundaries, especially with skydiving, a sport I'm new to, but what are the risks of a brand new student, like me with 11 jumps, to strap one of these things to my helmet just to get some POV footage and openings? On top of being a distraction, a possible snag hazard for lines, problems in the aircraft, etc...what would be wrong with me strapping this to my helmet to film my jumps from a point of view? Thanks guys

JohnnyBoy , Research . Talk to camera guys and gals. There is a process to learning how to jump with a camera. I have bought a Sony cx 100 from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ I was looking at the GoPro cameras also , but for a little more you get alot more.
My plan is to jump with the camera helmet first , then with the mounting bracket , then with the camera ( turned off ).
After that , my first several jumps I will turn the camera on and FORGET IT . I have read lots of info on camera flying and talked to many camera flyers. The biggest rule that stands out to me, is that you are a skydiver First then a camera dude.
There have been injuries and fatalties that diectly involed cameras. I have seen a few video's that the riser slapped the camera right off the head.
I will say that GoPro camera's are REALLY small and film good. They are good for fun jumping .
I am sure Mark and Assley will have some sound advice.

I'd be happy to give my $.02! After all Kerry... he did say EXPERT advice...

The major issue with having someone who is still learning to skydive (that can mean on student status, that could mean has 400 skydives but only makes 40 a year, etc. if you get my drift...) wearing a camera is that it adds a multitude of complications to the jump. It doesn't mean on every jump it will complicate things, or that it will ever complicate any of your jumps, it just means the potential is there.

Snag points... The way the camera is assembled on the helmet shown in the link you posted is on the side of the helmet. If you were to see a slow motion video of your canopy opening - you would see that the risers pass right past the sides of your head as they transition from behind you (on/in the rig itself) to either side of your head with your canopy open and flying straight (or at least we hope). The camera on the side of this helmet adds the potential for the risers connecting the lines of your parachute to your rig to hit it and knock it off, hit it and slide past, or hit it and get stuck. My one and only cutaway Johnny is from an entanglement from my left riser and my camera and bracket. I'll tell you about it next time you are at the DZ. I had 216 jumps. It freaked me out a little I never saw that helmet again! It's very easy to say "no biggy, it gets entangled, I get rid of it...". And, in some cases, it might be that easy. But I can tell you from experience, I had to react very fast and keep my cool to take care of my issue. It left me under my reserve below 2K which got my blood pumping. As a student, these reflexes are something you are still learning. Skydiving isn't one of the things in life you really want to "learn the hard way" if you know what I mean.

Other then snag points you do have the fact that a lot of people tend to lose focus on the rest of the skydive because they are taking the time to think about the video. Now - for the purpose you are thinking of - I don't think you would have this problem. But for future reference....

Kerry - I think that wearing your helmet without the camera on some skydives is a good idea. Heck, make sure your risers clear your set up okay before you put hundreds of dollars on there to take a spanking! I tell you what Fletch once told me when I was starting to do video. I wore my camera on a skydive, but didn't turn it on. It's a waste. You can ware it, and have it on, and not be distracted by it... or at least no more distracted by it then when it's on your head and off. By all means, if this is a step that will help you to feel comfortable please do take it - but it ended up being a silly step for me. If I didn't need/want to shoot video, I didn't wear my helmet because it eliminated that risk from that skydive...

Now I have seen little camera's that look like they are the size of a crayon on the side of helmets which aren't that bad. One issue you get with a new jumper trying to catch video that way is they open up and they do something cute/silly/entertaining like throwing peace signs in front of the camera or whatever. Then by the time they are done geeking their new camera, they realize they are faced away from the DZ and might not make it back or that they have a tension knot or something else that they really could have taken care of 30 seconds earlier and been better off. Again, I don't think you Johnny would have this issue, but it is something to think about.

As far as cameras and set ups go - the go pro seems like a great move in the right direction. The size alone is great. I'm pretty sure they could mount that puppy on the front of the helmet and do a lot in the way of reducing the possibility of a snag.

What is it that you are wanting to get video of Johnny? Want me to chase some of your skydives? I was lucky enough to have this really hot dude follow me on my first 100 or so skydives... I'm indebted to the student community... I'd gladly take some pictures and video for you next time you are out

Thanks for all this info Kerry and Ashley..

I got one of these little cameras back in December and love taking it with me when I'm snowboarding, cycling, jumping on trampolines with friends, etc. It's small, fun, addicting, and of course I would love to take it skydiving, but I respect the sport and realize adding another risk probably wouldn't be a smart move for me now as I still have a lot to learn. As far as what I want to shoot? I really just want to get a POV shot that I get when I wear it with other activities. Of course I can sit here and type that I won't try geeking the camera or trying to get a cool shot, but I'm sure I could act differently once in the air. So I guess, in theory, I would just want to pop this thing on the front of my helmet, turn it on, and go about my skydive as regular pretending it wasn't there, and once I got home, hook it up to the computer and see what kind of POV footage I got from my jump, but of course that's all in theory.

I deleted anything that really didn't pretain to Johnny's question, including my own posts. Kerry, if you are still wanting to talk about my opinions on the currency and time in the sport feel free to start a new thread or give me a call.

Ash

Are there any mounting points that wouldn't be a possible snag point? Like on the chest strap or shoulder straps? (or is that even worse?)

Well, like I told you at Safety Day Johnny I saw a jumper with the same HD GoPro mounted on his harness (below his three rings and above his cutaway handle) at the dropzone a couple weeks back. Now by NO freaking means am I any sort of expert, but it seemed this configuration would reduce snags, well at least from your deploying risers that helmet mounted cams are prone to. However I would caution to ensure that mount wouldn't be able to slip in anyway as to interfere with your emergency procedures as it would be located just above your cutaway handle. Plus you would have to account for the possibility that a mount there might interfere with your ability to see your cutaway as it would be somewhere underneath that camera. Again I will use the disclaimer that I am NOT an expert, hell even though I am technically off "student status" and I am a B licensed skydiver I still consider myself a STUDENT, and my two cents is ALL skydivers are. Yes, even those guys with THOUSANDS of jumps. NO ONE knows it all in this sport, but this I do know....the one person who is at the dropzone, EVERYDAY it is open, that has more experience flying a camera than anyone else is Mark. Next time you come out bring your little HD GoPro with some various mounting means, and talk to Mark. He won't let you do something that would needlessly endanger you, and he would be the one who could tell you WHEN and HOW you should mount your camera. Blue Skies!