Elite_Marksman 0 #1 October 20, 2011 I'm planning on going on my first jump Friday, a tandem at Cross Keys in NJ. I expect that I'll be hooked and already have started to try to figure out how to save the $2,500 for AFF and student jumps so I can get my license, on top of saving money for a new car and going to school for Computer Engineering... The only thing I'm concerned about (aside from the inherent risks of jumping out of a plane) is that I've had issues in the past getting my ears to pop on flights. Anybody have any advice on what to do/not to do for my first jump? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 October 20, 2011 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
thrillstalker 0 #3 October 20, 2011 forget about the new car. buy a piece of shit camper and you can forget about rent too "Never grow a wishbone, where your backbone ought to be." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elite_Marksman 0 #4 October 21, 2011 Heh, the current car is a '99 Saturn with 143k on the clock and I need it to get to/from work, school, and one day the DZ. So it needs to be replaced sometime. And no rent, living with the parents still, so all I really pay for is gas for my car, books, and the data plan for my phone. Used to spend a bit going out with the gf, but thats an entirely different story... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elite_Marksman 0 #5 October 21, 2011 Sadly I couldn't jump today. Got to the DZ and it was almost solid overcast. Maybe 11/4 if the weather cooperates. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creep0321 0 #6 October 21, 2011 Im not a medical prosesional, but when I scuba dive, or ocasionally when skydiving if im slightly congested ill take a sudafed the night before and one the morning of, makes clearing my ears a bit easier.Jack of all trades. Military Free Fall Jumpmaster. USA Static-line Jumpmaster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #7 October 22, 2011 If you expect to be hooked, you'll probably will be. I only went for one tandem jump that happened to be on my bucket list, and now I'm trying to sell my kidneys to fund my AFF. Quote The only thing I'm concerned about (aside from the inherent risks of jumping out of a plane) is that I've had issues in the past getting my ears to pop on flights. Unless this popping is very uncomfortable and/or painful, it's normal to experience popping during flights. During flights the air pressure around you changes, while the pressure in the inner ear stays the same. This creates a difference in pressure, but whenever you swallow or yawn, the Eustachian tube ( a tube between the inner ear and the nasal cavity) is opened. This equalizes the difference in pressure and results in a popping sensation. If this mechanism doesn't work properly or doesn't work at all, pressure keeps building and this can result in severe pain and even damage to the ear. I'm not sure what kind of "popping issues" you've got, but it might be a good idea to visit a doctor if you're worried about it. Better safe then sorry... Edit: Oh, and welcome to the board! forgot my manners.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elite_Marksman 0 #8 October 22, 2011 Yeah, I know why my ears pop. What I meant is that occasionally (only happened of 3-4 of the 15 or so flights) it would take 5-15 minutes after we reached cruising altitude or landed before my ears would equalize. I tried chewing gum, yawning, everything I could think of, but I couldn't get them to equalize when I wanted them to. Maybe I had a cold or something then, not quite sure. The first two were 5 years ago, the last 1-2 times I was too airsick to remember anything else (little Cessna 182 on a rather windy day through some mountains). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #9 October 23, 2011 Quote Yeah, I know why my ears pop. My bad, I misread the OP. Well, my general strategy when there's a possible health issue is "when you're in doubt, consult a physician". It of course depends on your health plan if that's painful to your wallet or not. A second option is to hang around and hope there's a skydiving physician on these boards, however internet consults generally aren't worth there weight in pixels. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creep0321 0 #10 October 24, 2011 id really suggest trying the sudafed trick. on the way up to altitude, dont hold your nose and blow (val salva) just yawn, chew ect... on the way down, as soon as your canopy inflates, and your on heading val salva... then as your descending continue to do it to stay ahead of the pressure.Jack of all trades. Military Free Fall Jumpmaster. USA Static-line Jumpmaster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elite_Marksman 0 #11 October 24, 2011 Thanks for all the advice. My next chance to jump isn't until 11/4 unforunately, and it can get quite cold in November in NJ... Tentatively supposed to be mid 50s and sunny though, so I'll keep hoping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
