As they say, the third time's a charm. This experience is about my 5th suspension, and my 3rd suicide suspension.
At A Glance Author Hunter Jackson Contact Hunter Jackson@bme.anon IAM hunterjackson When It just happened Artist Holy City Suspensions Studio www.holycitysuspensions.com The day started off with Carolynne and I just going down to watch the team suspend. I had no intention of suspending that day. Little did I know that it would turn out in my favor.
We arrived at the location around noon and met up with Chris. Everyone else was running a bit late, but would soon arrive. As the rest of them arrived, I talked to Trevor and Leann. Chris was set to go first as he was trying a new suspension out, the Screwdriver, which is like the thing you did off the diving board when you were young.
Chris and Leann left to go grab a tape for us to record the day. Trevor looked at me and asked what I was planning to do. I said, well I suppose I will do a suicide, and it was all set. Suicides are hard for me to do due to the fact that the skin on my back is so tough. The hooking usually takes about 20 minutes for a 6-Point. Needless to say it is very painful for me.
After talking and setting up the rigs, it was time for the hooks to be inserted. I took off my shirt and sat down on the bench. I already had marks from previous suicides. Trevor counted to three with the first hook coming through, and it went through like butter. It hit a perfect flesh tube. I honestly did not even realize that I had already received the first hook.
The rest of the hooks continued in their normal fashion. They were very painful and hitting much resistance in the skin factor. I took all six and stood up to drink some water.
We talked for a bit, as I do not like to go up right after the rush of being hooked, it is too much for me and I tend to black out. After this we began to set up the rig for a six point.
We decided to do a static rig instead of a dynamic rigging. We used chains of the same length and hooked them up to the rig. Everything was going great thus far.
He put me onto the chains, and I was fully connected. At this point I was nervous due to the fact that I had only had one suicide, my first suspension, go well. Little did I know I had the perfect hook setting.
I took the rope and started to put tension on my hooks. It hurt some, and felt a little raw. I was afraid I was going to back down, so I started to pull until I was on my tiptoes. It was very tight and very painful as this part is always. I gave to more pulls and I was off the ground. I was soaring with very little pain, and that wonderful feeling that only those who have suspended know.
My head was clear, and I had a smile on my face. I am never happier than at this point. I pulled myself higher, yes, I pulled myself up. This was another great feat of mine. After I was high as I would have liked to be, I passed off the rope to Chris.
Trevor bent his knee and gave me a place to push off of. I was swinging very well and pushing off of the tree which we suspend from. I was so happy, on an endorphin high. I have never felt better.
I stopped swinging being afraid that I would hit the tree hook first, which would have not been good! I stayed still for a little while, and then came down after my lower back began to cramp up. I touched ground and crouched. I felt so heavy after the suspension. They unhooked me from the rig and I walked around, kissed Carolynne, and got some water.
Being that I did not know that I was suspending, on the way to the site I had an energy drink. As Leann took out my hooks, I bled a good amount. We could not get it to stop. Finally we bandaged it up very tightly with gauze and tape. This stopped the bleeding over the next hour.
Over the rest of the day, Carolynne took hooks very well, but was in the end too nervous to go up. I am very proud of her being that she said she would never do it. Chris did his screwdriver suspension, which is a two point knee in one leg, and a two point calf in the other, for a total of four points. It went very well; he stayed up for a bout 20 seconds. Trevor went up by his knees, and Ozzy went up by his chest.
All in all the day went very well. We even put up a virgin suspender. All of us at Holy City Suspensions were very happy with how the day went.
Personally, I felt this was my best suspension yet. The key is a good hook setting. If my lower back had not started to hurt, I would have stayed up for a good bit longer.
BME started my interest in suspending, and helped me find a member of Holy City Suspensions and eventually find a team which I am a member of. Thanks to all of BME, to Holy City Suspensions, and everyone else involved in my life.