First Freefall Anxiety

[Deleted 0]

Hey guys...I am fixing to do the first of my freefall training (I'm doing static line) in a couple of weeks and I am kinda worried about the whole sensory overload thing. On my previous jumps I don't remember seeing anything until my chute opened. Is this going to affect me much when I do my first freefall?? I did my first practice pilot chute throw without a hitch but I still didn't remember anything visual-wise...I guess I just need some comforting..it's not every day that you jump out of a plane you know!!
Thanks,
Littlewing

[Pammi 0]

I have to say in my IAD progression I was kind of the same way for the first few jumps. It all just seemed to go so fast that your chute was out before you had time to even think about it. I wouldn't worry about it too much..you'll notice more when you have more time in freefall. However, if it's still a concern for you, mention it to your JM. They'll be able to tell you what's a fairly 'normal' response since they drop people out regularly :)
Good luck!
Pammi
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
http://trak.to/skydivechick

[MC208B 0]

Relax. Hard arch and keep an eye on the airplane! My first FF (SL course) as soon as I let go of the strut, I rolled up in a ball, grabbed that friggin ripcord and pulled at maybe 2 seconds. Then I was left wondering why I was watching the canopy deploy below my feet!!! Hard arch and stick to your count, you will do fine. Mike

[Doasfu 0]

That's what the PRCP/PPCTs are all about. Practice them in the shower. Practice them when you get up. Practice them all the time and they become automatic. Then, when you're brain shuts off in freefall, the motion just happens and you'll have a beautiful jump.
Dan

[skreamer 1]

Also, if you are cleared for freefall but are still a bit nervous, there is NOTHING wrong with doing another SL PRCP just to give you that extra bit of confidence. You are going to be the one jumping out of the plane and pulling that rip-cord, so you need to be happy with your ability to do it in a timely fashion. And remember, absolutely everybody was scared before their first freefall (AFF, IAD, tandem, SL progression - everybody), accept that you are going to be scared and then go over your drills and rehearse what you are going to do when you leave that plane (and practice your EPs repeatedly as well).Visualize, visualize, visualize.
Then when you have made your first freefall, come tell us about it, because there is a family of about 60 000 waiting to welcome you!/s

[Kris 0]

I went IAD just like Pammi. For me, I can't remember anything until after my canopy opened on the first four. On the fifth I remember exactly where my foot was on the step (poised exit) and I guess I remembered something else cause I landed the main (it was my clear & pull). From there on I just kept rembering a bit more until about jump 10 and I've been pretty good ever since.
Oddly enough, I never really had sensory overload after that, including my cutaway, until I JM'd a student for the first time. I think I spent so much time trying to concentrate on what he was doing that I think my brain misfired and lost half of it. Good thing it was only a 10-second delay. :) Now I seem to be okay (no jokes Pammi) again.
Whew.
Kris

[Iflyme 0]

Like some others here, I had no visual record of what I had done during my first few exits - I was and IAD student, too. I found that really concentrating on looking up at the plane did two things - helped me be stable, and helped me remember what I was seeing... it will start to come together for you after a few jumps!

[Pammi 0]

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:) Now I seem to be okay (no jokes Pammi) again.

[hand over mouth to muffle laugh] Bwahahahaha!!! [/hand over mouth to muffle laugh]
hehe
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
http://trak.to/skydivechick

[Joolee 0]

First thing...open your eyes. Some people don't realise that they have their eyes shut when they exit.
I found my first freefall very similar to my Dummy pull SL jumps but with a couple of extra seconds before the parachute opened. Awareness is something that you gain gradually. All you need to have clear in your mind is doing a good exit, deploy, and know your emergency procedures in case of a problem. Also tell your instructor the concerns you have...they are the best people to answer any questions/concerns. When you receive the training, all of your questions will most likely be answered anyway...good luck and have fun!!!Joolee

[chronistin 0]

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Like some others here, I had no visual record of what I had done during my first few exits.

The strangest thing happened to me at my second static line jump: I jumped, but continued to watch myself from the plane. I could actually see my bad arch, my frightened face and everything. It was only when I felt the chute opening that my visuals rejoined my body.
Never experienced anything like that before (or after). that was kind of frightening.

[littlewing52 0]

Thanks to all you guys for your support. I guess I need to "JUST DO IT!" Thats one of my little mottos. Ya know it's funny when I go out and run, I usually practice my emergency procedures. I'm sure I look like a damned fool but hey at least I'm a dirt road out in the middle of nowhere! Thanks again and I will keep you updated!
Blue Skies,
Stuey (Littlewing)

[PalmettoTiger 1]

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Like some others here, I had no visual record of what I had done during my first few exits

My first jump was a tandem. I remember seeing the group ahead of me *disappear*. No long, arcing fall outward or back before you really started to go downward, like the movies make you think. Just "ready, set," poof. Then I looked out and saw the ground. Then my TM pushed us out and the ground got reeeeeeeeeeeeeally big and so did my eyes. After that all I can really remember is from the videographer's point of view.
Blues, squares,
PTiger

[Kris 0]

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[hand over mouth to muffle laugh] Bwahahahaha!!! [/hand over mouth to muffle laugh]

Yup, that's it. Keep it up, giggles.... You're going to get it this weekend.
Kris
(rapidly inserting subliminal messages into the video I'm copying for Pammi's kids...)

[Deleted 0]

go for it dude....first freefall is a bit of a mind blower....your instructor dudes would only let you progress if they thought you were up to the job...so enjoy your first unteathered leap into space....

[FallRate 0]

Don't worry about what you have "not" been aware of in your past experiences. According to many instructors I have spoken with (at length...during and after student status), a freefall student generally has a very narrow field of view. This isn't a bad thing. There are only a few things you should be concentrating on when you are learning to skydive. The "really nice view" is not one of them.
FallRate

[Pammi 0]

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Yup, that's it. Keep it up, giggles.... You're going to get it this weekend.

Bwahaha! Bring it on!
(just kidding!!! hehe)
Pammi
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
http://trak.to/skydivechick

[Emma 0]

Personally I still 'forget' things about my skydive...especially on exit. I have a massive bruise on my chin and neither I, nor the 3 others on my jump, have any idea how it got there. I look like a battered wife, incidentally. It's an experience similar only to being out on the piss....limited memory, strange bruises, strange men in bed wi....Oh no, just the first two bits...(then again...hmmmm)
Emma