ickleFish 0 #1 June 16, 2003 I'm completely new to skydiving, just going to get started properly this summer, but would like to work through the licenses as time goes on. I've heard about some sort of water training that is part of getting the B License? What exactly is this? The reason I ask is because I'm a little worried I'm going to get stuck at that point.....I'm terrified of water. I know it's an "in the future" thing, but I've got this attitude now that I'm going to be able to get to a particular point in this sport and then have to stop unless I find some miracle cure for my fear (obviously not stop jumping, but stop progressing). So could anyone just give me some more details of what this "water training" is please? Thanks EDIT: Oops, meant to put this in the general skydiving forum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dixieskydiver 0 #2 June 16, 2003 Yea, water training is pretty easy. I think you just have to have an S&TA give a training class where you get in the water geared up and someone throws a parachute over your head. You follow a seam to the edge of the parachute and swim out of the harness. You also review water landing procedures. Dixie HISPA #56 Facil Rodriguez "Scientific research has shown that 60% of the time, it works every time." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ickleFish 0 #3 June 16, 2003 Quoteyou get in the water ...that's the part I really wouldn't enjoy Quotesomeone throws a parachute over your head ...and that just makes it worse. But thanks for the info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #4 June 16, 2003 Well..when would you rather be in the water with a canopy over your head? With an instructor in a simulated controlled environment, or when you have an emergency exit and have to land in the water without having had the training? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #5 June 16, 2003 Hey, don't sweat it. Just jump in the pool with an old container on they throw a parachute over your head. Just get out of the gear and swim out from under the canopy. The point of this is to let you know what it feels like if you ever have to make a water landing and to save your life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ickleFish 0 #6 June 16, 2003 I realise it's all a worthwhile and important thing to learn...I just wont look forward to it. I haven't been in water for about 10 years (I'm 20 now)...just another stupid fear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 June 16, 2003 can you tread water? That's really all the swimming you need to do.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
ickleFish 0 #8 June 16, 2003 Quotecan you tread water? That's really all the swimming you need to do. Yep, I can swim perfectly well....it's weird, I know I can swim, but I still get very nervous and panicky when I go in (or at least try to go in) water. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #9 June 16, 2003 Well, since you know you won't drown, you need to focus on relaxing and getting those negative vibes out of your head. You have to decide which is stronger...your fear of the water or your desire for your license. If it's your license, then you need to remind yourself that nothing is going to happen to you, you know how to swim, there will be people around to help you out, and you're going to get proper training before you go in. There's something to be said for the power of positive thinking. I was petrified before my night jumps, so I was pretty much telling myself the same things to make myself go through with it and did great. I also have a friend who told me this phrase, which I repeat often to help me out: face your fears, live your dreams. 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
ickleFish 0 #10 June 16, 2003 Yeah, thanks, I know I'll just have to face it when the time comes. How much of a wuss am I going to look.... But it's a good amount of time away yet, plenty of opportunities to worry about it properly before it happens. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldDirty 0 #11 June 17, 2003 QuoteI realize it's all a worthwhile and important thing to learn...I just wont look forward to it. I haven't been in water for about 10 years (I'm 20 now)...just another stupid fear. Personally I feel that there are more important things that should be emphasized than water landings. Knowing how to do a proper PLF is much more important. Being able to correctly perform a PLF will allow you walk away from many more bad landings. And flying a square it is more likely that you'll have a bad landing then end up in the water. Old Dirty Feet and Knees Together and Elbows in! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #12 June 17, 2003 dropzone.com is also a great source of information, not only about water training, but about many other topics. Do some searches and you'll find some great facts and opinions here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 June 17, 2003 Heya, Ickle! O.K., so I am not as afraid of water as you are. But I am not fond of it, either. And yes, throwing a canopy over your head is just "icing on the cake". BUT! (and it is a big but)... I made sure I watched others do it first. I made sure that there were people in both the deep and shallow end of the pool who would come get me if I got stuck. I talked myself into it, similar to talking myself into the air the first time and back into the air after my mal. There's nothing as neat as being able to say "I saw my fear. I walked up to it. I walked over it. Nyah! So there!!!" When the time comes you will be able to do it. I know this. You will be fine. And then, after you clamber out of the pool and sit there, shaking, you will be sooooooooo proud of yourself. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #14 June 17, 2003 QuoteYeah, thanks, I know I'll just have to face it when the time comes. How much of a wuss am I going to look.... But it's a good amount of time away yet, plenty of opportunities to worry about it properly before it happens. Chris, I think you have a deeper issue other than the training itself. I personally think that although you will not need to get a B license for a future in the sport, you will need to be prepared regardless. All of us are in constant learning no matter the jump #'s we get. I would advise you, that if you could get some sort of professional help to overcome your fears, it would be a lot easier for you and you won't be panicking when the moment of truth comes. Just figure for a second, that if you are already scared in an environment that is safe, what would it be for you when a real situation comes? If you don't deal with your fear of water, then if ever the moment arises in real life, you will probably end up in pretty bad shape from either a bad toggle input, or inability to do the right things. Good luck and take care!"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
