sistaluv 0 #1 June 10, 2003 Well for me last weekend was the first weekend open at a new dz thats close to me now and i didn't jump!?! I compressed my vertibrae (non skydiving related) in oct and was in the hospital for 2 days and then went on with my recovery. I've been anxiously awaiting my first jump and when the time came I backed out!!!!!?????? It was new dz, new gear, new reserve procedures and a compressed vertibrae that doesn't hurt all that much. I was over loaded and now disappointed! Now my dz here is only open every two weeks and don't want this to happen again. Any advice to what you would do in this situation? I have 19 jumps with a solo certificate, working on my relative work once I get back up there. Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #2 June 10, 2003 When it feels right, you'll know it. Prepare yourself the best you can and when it's time to decide jump or not jump, then do what feels right. Not jumping can be disappointing but that just means you get another chance to try later. Some consolation huh? It's true though. In another sport I do, I've walked away in perfect conditions just because it didn't feel right. Go with that instinct. It keeps you alive. Smile any way :) There's no harm in waiting. - -My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #3 June 10, 2003 Go do some sub terminal hop-n-pops from altitude. They are easier openings and you get to really experience the beauty of what you are doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #4 June 10, 2003 I was thinking of doing a poised exit on a 10 sec delay..... Do you think thats ok? I'm really concerned about how my back will do with skydiving now that its been injured. Soft openings sounds good! Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #5 June 10, 2003 Roll the hell out of the nose do a 3 second delay. Insure it is sub terminal. Have the pilot really slow it down if it is a cessna. Reach up and grab the risers and support some of your weight. This is all up to you of course. I have lower back pain myself and I frequently use this method. Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marz 0 #6 June 10, 2003 I compressed two vertebrea at the end of the season in 2001. When summer 2002 came, it took me a good long while to get my ass back up into the plane. It's OK by me. I had to build up my balls again, and I was also concerned for my back. I eventually went back up and had a great summer. My two cents: 1) Trust your gut. If it don't feel right, don't go. I called a few loads last year. On one of them the guy that took my spot caught a microburt and broke both legs and another guy drifted 15 km from the DZ. I'm not kidding! 2) My back was fine on openings. Actually, its felt pretty good... straightened out my spine and all. Howver, when your back hurts before a load, refer to #1. 3) At 30 yrs old, after several serious falls in my life, I had to realize that the warranty on my body is about up. As such, my approaches are careful, cool and easy. No hooks, no madness and if there's traffic, i'll take the student field and a hike over the closer high-traffic spot. The season started here in late april, and I still haven't gone up. I had a tough winter, my wife had a baby boy and I'm now "offically" diagnozed as epilpetic. Physically, I think I could jump, but right now my head's not in it, so I figure I'll wait, maybe hit a boogie or two and see how I feel... IF it;s good, i'll go large again next year. Hope this helps. Cheers! _________________________________________ Did I just kill another thread? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflydrew 0 #7 June 10, 2003 Look into buying a spectre or something with similiar opening characteristics... You only have 19 jumps and haven't jumped since October? That's like 8 months out of the sport. Go do a recurreny course and seek the advice of an instructor. Maybe you should go back and talk to your original instructor? Either way, definitely try to get reeducated in the sport... This will likely help you the most. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #8 June 10, 2003 did you think of what will happen if you land on your ass? I know that being grounded is pain in the ass,i just went out of a 8month hell aswell,but dont ruin your back. Stay safe Stefan Faber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #9 June 10, 2003 I had a bad back injury once that nearly killed me. I'd say take it easy and do whatever your doc says. Rhino's sub terminal opening idea seems the most prudent way to start to me - and come down on a large canopy. Beers, Vinny the Anvil Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #10 June 10, 2003 I just did my refresher coarse last weekend and got refreshed on things that changed, so now its the next step....getting back to my happy place Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueEyedMonster 0 #11 June 10, 2003 Every person is different. The sub-terminal hop-n-pops sounds like a great idea. I did a good job on my back in March. I gave myself a good compression fracture. I am now an inch shorter than I was before. But, I was back up in the plane 6 weeks to the day of the accident. My first jump was from 13,500 from a King Air. I just let myself relax belly down and regained the feel for the air. After tossing my pilot chute, I held my head with my hands to make sure my Sabre did not hurt my neck. Honestly, I was scared as hell before that jump. I thought about backing out, but decided not to delay the inevitable. The fear disappeared once I was out the door, but I was really scared for several rides up. However, after a couple of weeks, I got over it. It may just be where and how my back was broken (thoracic vertebra between my shoulder blades), but I have no problems in freefall or during opening shock. The only time I ever feel it is when I crank on my pull-up cord to close my rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #12 June 10, 2003 i'm not one to be talking to i made a jump 2 weeks after having my back cut open and some disc taken out after it had "protruded" itself into 75% of my spinal colum......... just get ya a nice slow opening canopy and jump when the doctors say it's safe and you feel comfortable.... or be stupid like me and go for it......... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #13 June 10, 2003 I've been going through the same thing (minus the vertibrae problems..sry to hear about that). I have 11 jumps and haven't jumped in 6 months.This past weekend was the first time in 4 months I've even gone to the DZ.I tried to get current but just wasnt ready I guess. Heres my post,maybe it'll help you feel better atleast, since I really don't have any advice that will help you in your situation b/c I'm having the same problem... getting current good luck. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #14 June 10, 2003 hahahaha You know I don't even think its worth me going to see the doctor again because if they told me not to jump, I guess I would have to buy beer (towards my first rebel jump) I guess I just got spoked.Imagine that the head promoter getting spoked and trying to hide it from the fist jump students.....oh well saftey is first Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #15 June 11, 2003 "did you think of what will happen if you land on your ass? " You got me thinking??!!! PLF Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #16 June 11, 2003 QuoteI guess I would have to buy beer (towards my first rebel jump i once jumped with a guy that was breaking his parole to jump... the nerest dz was 30 miles away... it just happened to be 5 miles over the florida/ alabama state line....lol.... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #17 June 11, 2003 HAHAHAHA lol It's funny how it sometimes takes over anything in your life....lol I left house...friends...job(didn't work well with skydiving) etc Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #18 June 11, 2003 Quote"did you think of what will happen if you land on your ass? " You got me thinking??!!! PLF my accident were in a PLF they can go wrong. but do what you feel like but be sure not to be in a hurry. Best whishes from here Stay safe Stefan Faber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueEyedMonster 0 #19 June 11, 2003 Quote "did you think of what will happen if you land on your ass? " You got me thinking??!!! PLF Quote my accident were in a PLF they can go wrong. but do what you feel like but be sure not to be in a hurry. So was mine, but when you downwind, there is only so much a PLF can save you from. Just set up for your landings early, give yourself plenty of time and space, and ejnoy the ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
