Overcoming freefall anxiety on SL training

[skydivermom 0]

I'm pretty close to doing my first freefall and I'm half excited/half scared to death. After 5 SL jumps, I'm getting pretty confident about flying the canopy and landing. So far I've landed on the concrete runway (first stand-up landing), gotten out of line twists and did one without a radio. One of the instructors told me freefalling is not only the fun part, but it's the easy part. They said flying the canopy and landing is actually the hard part. It makes sense to me.


Having heard and understood that, I can't figure out why I'm still phobic about freefalling! I really want to enjoy the whole experience. What do you all think?

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[exnavykds 0]

Kathleen, what you're feeling is perfectly normal. I think I had more anxiety about my first freefall than I did about my first jump. Its the mental "thing" of no longer being attached to the airplane, the knowledge that nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen. If you weren't nervous you'd be crazy. lol Just listen to what your instructors tell you, focus on what you have to do and get 'er done. Remember that hundreds before you have safely done what you're about to do, and once you do it you'll really be a "skydiver" and not just a "parachutist"
Blue skies!!

Kevin B-28231

"Hey, you want a 5 minute pack job, then expect a 5 minute opening!"

[BIGUN 1,488]

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Remember that hundreds [OF THOUSANDS] before you have safely done what you're about to do, and once you do it you'll really be a "skydiver" and not just a "parachutist"

Better?

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[darkwing 5]

I started on static line many years ago, and there was definitely an anxiety bump when I hit freefall. One big advantage you have compared to a person just making a first jump that is freefall is that you are already comfortable with the canopy part of the jump. The extra anxiety is normal. Approach it like you approached your first jump. Recognize the anxiety, and attack it with the training you have.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[flyangel2 2]

I too learned to skydive with the S/L progression course. I too was worried and scared about freefall and each time they bumped up my altitude. What you are feeling in normal because you are about to experience the unknown. Relax and deep breaths.

Maybe because I was an S/L student, I'm comfortable getting out at a lower altitude while I see some people that went through AFF, a little worried when they have to do their hop/pop.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[goose491 0]

You just remember being flustered in freefall during AFF. Now you are worried that you will not perform so well.

Remember it's perfectly normal to be nervous but don't let it get the best of you. You've climbed out of a plane and jumped all by yourself a handful of times now. You're moving on to freefall with some instructors... You've already freefallen with them... this time you will have more level a head. You should KNOW this rather then just HOPE this

Visualise what you are going to do in freefall. Picture it in your mind over and over again... you, doing your thing, and doing it right. That will help tremendously.

Don't fret it, remember this is all for fun and you'll do just fine.

Nick

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[MarkM 0]

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I started on static line many years ago, and there was definitely an anxiety bump when I hit freefall.

Yep. I went from 15 second delays on SL to AFF and I was even axious whether or not I'd be able to read my altimeter in freefall on my AFF jump(never had to before, I'd just count then pull). It was pretty silly, but so are a lot of fears.

[skydivermom 0]

Yes, it is hard to forget the AFF jump, but I will keep trying. I can't imagine freefall being that hard really, and if I screw up again, all I have to do is pull.

Anyway, I won't have any instructors with me when I do the freefall, maybe that's what's making me nervous. It really helps knowing it is normal to have the anxieties. I remember the first SL I did and hearing Jeff tell me to climb out and hang. My first thought was "NO WAY!" I'm glad I didn't listen.

I will imagine myself out there having a blast and keep talling myself I WILL KICK BUTT! Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[NewGuy2005 53]

I just did my last S/L, first FF on Saturday. I was really scared, too. Once I got on the plane I was fine. You'll do fine, too and then wonder what all the worry was about.

Ken

[skydivermom 0]

Thank you so much! I plan to go out there and KICK BUTT!

So, when it was all said and done, did you have a lot of FUN! That's what I'm hoping for
P.S. Did you freefall with or without instructors?

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[Mockingbird 0]

No instructors???? COOL! But where will they be?

Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"

[NWFlyer 2]

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No instructors???? COOL! But where will they be?

In the plane, watching her, same place they've been through her static line jumps. Static line students do not typically exit with instructors till they get to the longer delays.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Mockingbird 0]

So the first freefall jump would be about how much of a delay? And, at how much of a delay do instructors begin jumping with their students?

Just curious-- how much of a delay is the typical last SL jump?

Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"

[NWFlyer 2]

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So the first freefall jump would be about how much of a delay? And, at how much of a delay do instructors begin jumping with their students?

Just curious-- how much of a delay is the typical last SL jump?

Typically, a five second delay is the first non-static line jump. I'm not sure exactly, but I would guess that the SL jumps themselves are slightly less than a five second delay - basically the time it takes for the static line to become taut and pull. A SL instructor would probably know this better than I do, as I was pretty much in sensory overload on those jumps.

I believe that SL instructors start exiting the plane with the student when they do 15 second delays.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[skydivermom 0]

I was told my first one would be a 20 sec. delay. YIKES!

I'm going to go out on a limb and BEG Jeff (one of the JMs) to jump with me. I think I would feel better if someone were at least out there with me. I am getting really excited about the whole thing though.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[Mockingbird 0]

Oh, hi Skydivermom! What has been the longest delay you've experienced so far? Long enough to do a practice pull?

Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"

[NWFlyer 2]

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I was told my first one would be a 20 sec. delay. YIKES!

I'm going to go out on a limb and BEG Jeff (one of the JMs) to jump with me. I think I would feel better if someone were at least out there with me. I am getting really excited about the whole thing though.

Sounds like you do things differently at your DZ. Defer to your instructors, then, over what I said (heck, always do that with stuff you read on here, especially from a newbie like me!). They may be planning to go out with you already.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Orange1 0]

20 seconds?? I was about to say - remember that your first freefall is exactly the same procedure as your DRCPs ... Kathleen, are you sure about that delay? i can't remember exactly but i think SL progression here you only get to 20 secs on about the 6th freefall or so (3 secs, then 5 secs, then 2 x 10, 15 and then 20...)

anyway.. here's a post i made after my first freefall http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1565067;#1565067

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[skydivermom 0]

***What has been the longest delay you've experienced so far? Long enough to do a practice pull?

__________________________________________________

I guess about 3 seconds. They always tell me to not try to beat the canopy when doing the dummy ripcord pulls, but last time my JM said it took me too long to get it out, but my body position was PERFECT!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[skydivermom 0]

Honestly,

I'm not sure what their protocol is. Not all of the instructors are on the same page. One told me "don't try to beat the canopy" and the last one who watched me said that I didn't get the dummy ripcord out in time, so yes, I'm slightly confused some of the time.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[skydivermom 0]

Well, I am doing a live pull after doing one more practice one. Is that considered the first freefall? If so then yes, it will probably only be about 5 seconds. But after that I was told it would be a 20 sec. delay. That instructor could very well have misunderstood me but that is what he said.

I'm only doing 12 SL jumps and then I'll be done with that part of the training. BTW, do you think it would be better if I asked an instructor to jump with me on the first "actual" freefall?

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[NewGuy2005 53]

So, when it was all said and done, did you have a lot of FUN! That's what I'm hoping for
P.S. Did you freefall with or without instructors?

[Orange1 0]

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Well, I am doing a live pull after doing one more practice one. Is that considered the first freefall? If so then yes, it will probably only be about 5 seconds. But after that I was told it would be a 20 sec. delay.

If by "live" you mean there is no static line, yes of course that's your first freefall!! What else do you call those seconds between when you jump and when you pull the ripcord?

I can't answer the instuctor question.. we don't get instructors jumping with students on SL progression here at any stage.

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[Silverchic 0]

I think you will have a great time skydivermom! I didn't go through the static line course (straight into AFF) and managed to get through the first jump without a heartattack so you're one up on me!

And yes I agree with the whole AFF students hop n pop being terrified! I've done one at 3500ft and 3 at 5000ft and it's waaaayyy to close to the ground to be leaving the plane for me...I like to be out of the plane at 12 and pulling my chute at 3 (the very lowest). I like the idea of a hop n pop from 12! =)

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

[simulacra 0]

I'm having that problem myself, but we do things differently, I've pulled my own chute twice, both at 1200m and pulling right after exit.

The problem I'm having is sensory overload, my cognitive self zones out and the instinct in me takes over, as soon as I leave the aircraft I pull, I barely made it through this far by jumping this way.

And now it's time for my first "real" freefalls where I'm supposed to pull at 1000m, which is some 5 seconds of free fall, how the heck am I goïng to control myself enough not to pull too fast again?