Skydiving Worries and Woes

[pug 0]

Little more than a week ago, I graduated AFF and jumped my first solo. Then I stopped. Why?

Basically, I am worried – not about the jumping as such, otherwise I wouldn’t have started; but about the addictiveness. I received some strange looks at the DZ when stating that there would be no question about my continuing if it weren’t for the kick (i.e., I’d jump if there wasn’t one).

I started skydiving because I wanted to feel the absolute freedom of flying through the air, and will be the first to admit that I immensely enjoyed it. What I didn’t enjoy, relatively speaking, was the endorphin rush that accompanied the jumps. Again, one might ask, why? Longish answer...

It’s the little things in life. I am one of those terrible people that tend to notice even the minutiae around them. When chatting with friends while on a stroll through the park, I will be the one to detect a butterfly drinking a dewdrop from a blade of grass, a song bird outlined against the dappled leaves, or a beautiful lady crossing our path. All this happens without breaking stride or conversation, making me smile inside and cheerful. To me, loosing that ability to gain joy out of the shortest moments, the glimpses of life around me, would be devastating.

Enter skydiving – FUN! Wonderful! Great! And yet...

I have met skydivers with +3k jumps that still get the shakes every time, just from the rush. People compare it to taking drugs, and I can understand them. As a personal choice, I don’t take drugs, don’t smoke, don’t drink. Instead I try to hone my senses, my knowledge of the world around me, want to feel it with every fibre of my being – that’s MY drug. Like any addict, I am scared of those things that would take this away from me, and am worried that skydiving could be one of those. Will its kick drown out that wondrous cacophony of life around me? Make me numb for those little jolts of joy that a new day can bring?

While I realise that my reasons for starting with skydiving are probably not too typical (“...I don’t want a kick – I just want to fly...”), I very much doubt that I am the only one. So my question to the forum would be: is there anyone else, active or retired, who started for the same reasons and can put my mind at ease, either by confirming or denying my worries, thereby helping me in my decision of whether or not to continue with skydiving?

Thank you.

- Julius

[stitch 0]

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I have met skydivers with +3k jumps that still get the shakes every time

Where is this mystical DZ?? I want some of that.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[cocheese 0]

The answer my friend lies in the wind.

[skyscallin 0]

Holy shit dude! Whoa...ok so hold those horses of yours. First of all, I think you are THINKING way too much about this. Second, why would you ever think that a lil adrenaline rush would ruin the rest of your very observant life? It is a NAUTRAL stimulant your body produces in certain situations and having it float through your system is not going to affect your brain in a negative way.
Its funny because since I started jumping last year, I have always felt like maybe I was missing something. Like I didn't really feel a rush and didn't start/continue so that I could acheive that. I jump to be up there in the elements enjoying it ALL. Taking it ALL in. Seeing the earth and my life from another point of view.
There is so much more to be said here...hope others will weigh in on it! For the time being, ditch your pink panties and that lil skirt you're wearing and get back up there and DO IT AGAIN!
~H

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[skymama 37]

To be blunt, I think you're just being silly. You control how much you let skydiving take over your life. In my experience, skydiving has awakened all of my senses to all the wonderful things going on around me and makes me enjoy life even more.

I've been in this sport for 7 years now and still have yet to reach 500 jumps. A lot of the reason why my numbers aren't higher is because I do other things besides skydive on weekends. The little things in life make me smile too. I called the whole family over to the window the other day because my magnolia tree bloomed for the first time. They weren't quite as excited as I was. I jump in Deland, where swoop gods and world record holders jump and they have 10,000+ jumps. On many Sundays in the summer, these guys and the regular ol' locals like me will choose to spend the afternoon sitting on the shore of the St. John's River enjoying nature and a few beers with friends instead of jumping. Skydiving is great, but it isn't the most important thing in life.

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

[stitch 0]

Yeah, what Skymama said. Quit being a woman.



No wait........that didn't come out right.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[cocheese 0]

Ever feel like your life is just one big Chris Farley interview with Paul McCartney? I do.

[pug 0]

Thanks, but while I do indeed control how much I let skydiving take over my life, I cannot control things such as the pattern of endorphin relase or receptor site proliferation -- that's what is worrying me. Not a loss of control over jump numbers.

Sorry if my longwinded post caused confusion on that matter.

[airkid 0]

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While I realise that my reasons for starting with skydiving are probably not too typical (“...I don’t want a kick – I just want to fly...”), I very much doubt that I am the only one. So my question to the forum would be: is there anyone else, active or retired, who started for the same reasons and can put my mind at ease, either by confirming or denying my worries, thereby helping me in my decision of whether or not to continue with skydiving?

Thank you.

- Julius

with such attention to detail and what not you should have realized that you spelled 'realize' wrong......

[pug 0]

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Ever feel like your life is just one big Chris Farley interview with Paul McCartney? I do.

*gah* Sorry, happens when I think about something a lot, start typing, editing, re-typing, editing some more, etc.

[Remster 30]

If you want to jump, then jump.

If you dont want to, then dont.




Its pretty simple really...

Remster

[Scoop 0]

The rush that you speak of wears off. I found that, for example, on my first consolidation jump, I was bored shitless. Sure I was still skydiving, but there was noone there, no referance and bags and bags of time. Kept looking at my altimeter thinking "damn I got ages yet". I find to get that similar rush I need to try new things or execute something really well, like a good jump with a buddy.

If you wanna jump, enjoy the view and get your knees in the breeze. The novelty of jumping for the thrill of jumping out of a plane wears off. After AFF, which is quite intensive training, you'll be fairly pumped as you are constantly learning and taking another step for yourself. Get your consols out the way (they aren;t that expensive, you've done the expensive bit) and then make another assessment.

EDIT TO ADD: I know of plenty of jumpers who like to simply turn up now and again and do a gentle solo jump. You wouldn't be the only one. Sometimes I like to just hang there in the breeze, take in the scenery, pull higher than normal and just mooch around in the sky.

[cocheese 0]

not you. you're fine. post away. I was referring to Stitch and his Skymama post.

Ok I'll get serious here. Keep on jumping. We need you. You need it. If you notice butterflies in freefall, Pull!

[stitch 0]

I want cheesecake.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[cocheese 0]

Not to be confused with cocheesecake.

[marcandalysse 0]

The more jumps you do the less you will notice the butterflies in the stomach mode.

As you learn to manuver in the air, your muscle memory and familiarity with what you are doing will allow you to expand your awareness of your surroundings. That is the opposite of your fear. It is a growing into awareness. And that's alot safer, seeing what is happening behind you and on the other side of the formation, where everyone is situated at breakoff, tracking, opening and approach.....

I like skydiving for the sense of accomplishment I get when I improve my skills and my awareness. Instead of sitting on a meditation pillow for a day, I get it all into a 60 second or so freefall....

just have fun and keep learning, keep building your skills and keep your eyes open. Get a good coach and there you go!

marc

"The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

[squirrel 0]

i wouldnt worry if i were you, and, we are simular. i too dont and never do drugs...i dont want to miss a thing! i hear ya on being "aware"...like driving down the busy highway, and actually being able to see the hawk sitting on a power line, the unusual cracks in the road, or the small dent on the car that just past you...i see it too. embrace jumping in the same way. i love jumping all types of aircraft, looking at the controls, the guages, the scratches from wear, the history of the plane. in the beginning, skydiving can somewhat take over your life....but then the urge evens out with the rest, it becomes mellow, it becomes...normal. jumping for me has become like a nice hike, a great motorcycle ride, a smooth flight in my ultralight...a good glass of wine. we have a sticker on our car that puts it best..."Skydive, not to escape life, but to keep life from escaping you."

by the way, we got married in Deland, in the skyvan...did I meet you Skymama? and is marlboro mike still around?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[Akey 0]

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detect a butterfly drinking a dewdrop from a blade of grass, a song bird outlined against the dappled leaves, or a beautiful lady crossing our path.

I'm sorry, but this is just waaaay to cheesy. Is this post a joke or something?

[stitch 0]

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detect a butterfly drinking a dewdrop from a blade of grass, a song bird outlined against the dappled leaves, or a beautiful lady crossing our path.

I'm sorry, but this is just waaaay to cheesy. Is this post a joke or something?

I was thinking more along the lines of serial rapist.

Or, maybe he's just metro.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[skymama 37]

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by the way, we got married in Deland, in the skyvan...did I meet you Skymama? and is marlboro mike still around?

I don't think I was there for your jump. Mike is still around, I jumped with him a few weeks ago.

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

[squirrel 0]

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by the way, we got married in Deland, in the skyvan...did I meet you Skymama? and is marlboro mike still around?

I don't think I was there for your jump. Mike is still around, I jumped with him a few weeks ago.

It was in Jan-03, when there was that cold snap that came through, and then followed us down to the bahamas! buurrrrr! There we were, sitting on the beach in the Bahamas on our honey moon, bundled up in jackets. Please say hi to Mike for us if you see him. Thanks, Jonathan & Jenni

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[countzero 7]

you should check out the book "transcending fear" or at least read the excerpts on the web site.

diamonds are a dawgs best friend

[tbrown 26]

So my question to the forum would be: is there anyone else, active or retired, who started for the same reasons and can put my mind at ease, either by confirming or denying my worries, thereby helping me in my decision of whether or not to continue with skydiving?

If you think skydiving's too much fun, sex is just gonna kill you. That's all I've got say.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[damion75 0]

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with such attention to detail and what not you should have realized that you spelled 'realize' wrong......

No, he didn't. Its just that he is speaking / typing English, and you are answering him in American...

Or didn't you realise that they were different?

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[ChrisL 2]

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To be blunt, I think you're just being silly.

Well said.
To that I can only add "Shut up and jump"

And maybe lay off the Raymond Feist novels

__

My mighty steed