Katinka 0 #1 March 24, 2006 well, I've been lurking quite a while, searching "anxiety" and "fear", and reading ALL the incident reports. I am not only female, but also fit into the older category. There are not too many jumpers my age/sex at the dz where I'm doing my AFF. Don't need to explain the total thrill of flying and adrenaline rush from landing, but in between jumps I get SO nervous! Twice I've arrived at the dz and just couldn't jump at all. Does age make us more cautious? I really want to do this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROK 0 #2 March 24, 2006 Quotewell, I've been lurking quite a while, searching "anxiety" and "fear", and reading ALL the incident reports. I am not only female, but also fit into the older category. There are not too many jumpers my age/sex at the dz where I'm doing my AFF. Don't need to explain the total thrill of flying and adrenaline rush from landing, but in between jumps I get SO nervous! Twice I've arrived at the dz and just couldn't jump at all. Does age make us more cautious? I really want to do this! I'm not a woman, but I am 42 years old and can relate to certain fears, but most have totally gone away, and I actually feel a hell of a lot younger than I did in the beginning! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 March 24, 2006 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #4 March 25, 2006 I just got done reading a copy of Brian Germains new book, "Transcending Fear". It's a good book that really hits the spot. I highly recommend it. You're feelings are normal. We are jumping out of planes after all. Staying current and getting some jumps under your belt will help you feel more confindent and calm. It takes some acclimation. Welcome to the forums and the sport! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katinka 0 #5 March 25, 2006 It seems everytime I jump I have something new to be nervous about. It's actually building. My first AFF I was totally blank out the door and at landing the thrill was indescribable! Then as I became more aware, each jump added new things that could go wrong. I'm trying not to obsess, but I'm just shaking when I put on the student rig, sweating in the plane... always on landing I have an adrenaline high that beats anything I've ever done! But what is worrying me is that I seem to be getting more afraid rather than less! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #6 March 26, 2006 You're probably getting more afraid because you're learning more ways that you can hurt yourself or have a malfunction. As you are learning these things, remember that you are also learning the skills to deal with the problems that can occur. We've had threads on here before where people talked about the fear that they had. Many people had the kind of fear you are describing up until they got their A license and some beyond that! I was so scared I lost a whole bunch of weight because I couldn't eat. Here's something you can try; when these thoughts run through your mind, counter it with what you will do if you have that particular malfunction. If you don't know or are unsure, talk to your instructor about what the correct answer would be. Once you realize that you actually do know the right thing to do, you may be able to relax a little.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #7 March 27, 2006 Welcome to the forums Katinka! I'm pretty sure we do get more cautious as we get older, whether male or female. Big respect to you for getting out there and doing it though Keep flying! PJ Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katinka 0 #8 March 28, 2006 Thanks for all the encouragement. Was hoping to jump sunday, but the winds were too high all day. I had a ball watching and learning. At least I get to practice my landing flare everyday in the glass elevator at work! (co workers do think I'm a little stange...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OATSF14 0 #9 March 31, 2006 4 of us started jumping together. We were all scared and anxious for several jumps. We made a promise among ourselves to continue for 20 jumps. The reason was simply that the experienced people seemed to be having so much fun. (this was long ago under rounds and a static line. When beginning freefall I was a spinner and many times I remember hating to jump) On jump #19 the light came on. Perfect stability, nice deployment, and for a round a nice landing. Haven't looked back since. Listen to your instructors, UNDERSTAND the fear is there for a reason and enjoy. It will become the most exhilarating thing you have ever done. (Exits are my favorite. There is something about "letting go") GEE Skymama is 40!!!! (Looks 20) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mashamoda 0 #10 April 2, 2006 I can totaly relate to your feelings. I started jumping at the age of 43 and went through everything you are talking about. My husband never jumped and percieved me or anybody in the sport as abnormal. Nobody in my surronuding ever jumped and I became a black sheep overnight. Skydiving became my passion. When leaving for the DZ I was "kissing my kids for the last time". Awful feeling, but simply couldn't stay away. The more I was learning about the sport, the more afraid I was. I realized how little attention I was given, how nobody really cared, how dangerous everything and everybody around me was. I still couldn't stay away. When I realized I was either going to kill myself with unadequate training, gear being packed by just about anybody (including myself long before I was ever cleared for it), plane that could hardly take off on most of the days... I decided, despite the problems at home to leave for a week, go south and get the best coaching, tunnel included (I highly recommend it!) and bought myself my first set of gear. Then and there I got my A licence and my confidence. Of course, the thought that something can go wrong is always there, therefore I try to be ready to save myself. I educate myself, I am aware who I jump with and expect others to make mistakes as well, I make sure the jump is properly briefed, I pack my own gear (if I let anybody pack I make sure I know who that is and I check everything twice), I do everything in my power to play safe, I am a conservative canopy pilot, I am never embarraced to ask questions, I take good care of my gear and most of all - I jump regularly. Being current builds skills and they bring the feeling of safety and calm. I hope this will help you understand your, perfectly normal, emotions. You are not alone, but you have to learn how to control the fear by facing it and then focus on your jump. PS. There is nothing more beautiful than being in the door, letting go into a "big blue" and knowing what you are doing. That is happiness! I have one regret - not doing it on my 18th birthday! Never thought of it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katinka 0 #11 April 3, 2006 Thanks for your insightful reply. I think you are right about my particular fears. Although I am lucky to have family support, and my instructors have certainly been first rate, it becomes clear that you are totally on your own up there, and must rely on yourself and your equipment. Looking up statistics and reading about incidents both helps and creates more fear. Yes, there is always some explanation, sometimes the person did something "stupid"; I know I am capable of doing something "stupid"! I don't have that young person's invincible - it can't happen to me - feeling because I've already had things in my life happen that I thought wouldn't happen to me. I also try to be aware of what all the others are doing, just so I can stay out of the way, but I don't have the skills yet to get out of the way. I hope to start soon with packing and spotting and all that good stuff, because I am sure you are right in that the more knowledge you have the safer you will be. The main setback has been currency, which I have seen discussed many times on these forums. Work, weather and family commitments have now kept me grounded for 5 weeks. It definintely gets harder the longer I stay away. What convinces me to keep going is that I am constantly thinking about skydiving. I check out the skies on the way to work, think about dive flows all the time, read everything I can get my hands on....I'm hooked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pincheck 0 #12 April 3, 2006 its all natural to feel the way you do. i was the exact same remembering 5secs from deployment to the door. I used to hate the door.when it opened and the smell of fuel and cold air would rush in. Everyone goes through this just try and relax (Smile) it does helpAs for age it just gives us a better sense of mortality, which isn't a bad thingp.s don't tell anyone but i turn 40 very soon Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #13 April 4, 2006 Age makes us know what we enjoy in life... I started jumping in 1972.. took a break for a few years.....and during that time found other ways to feed my love of the sky... now... here I am.. old and decrepit.... and jumping when I want.. where I want.. and doing some pretty fun stuff for a little old lady http://www.hangout.no/speed/records_usa.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0