Caelum 0 #1 February 11, 2006 I can't jump for three months due to a back injury (nonskydiving related). I have 50 jumps and am wondering what others have done to (1) keep themselves from going crazy and becoming frustrated when they can't jump, especially when their friends and significant others jump every weekend and (2) how they (especially a novice like me) stayed mentally in the game so they could return at the level they left off. Thanks-- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #2 February 11, 2006 Whe I was injured I continued to go to the DZ to hang out with my friends . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,438 #3 February 11, 2006 1. Thou shalt fill out thy profile, 2) be assertive about your therapy. Skydivers like boobies, chicks have boobies, chicks dig skydivers. Get well. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #4 February 11, 2006 get your rigger's ticket... it'll keep you busy and increase your knowledgeNSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #5 February 11, 2006 Quoteget your rigger's ticket... it'll keep you busy and increase your knowledge With a back injury, that would be hard to do. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 February 11, 2006 Watch skydiving videos. Spend a few evenings out drinking and chatting with skydivers. Find another sport (i.e. swimming) that will keep you active and gradually strengthen your back muscles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #7 February 11, 2006 before i started jumping, i lived in san diego and surfed. on a job, i was sent on location to the cold north east. i missed the wam beaches so, and the beatiful waves. so, at night, in my trailer i would turn up the heat, put on a so-cal shirt, play a surfing movie, crack some corona's and live the moment. thats what it is all about, living the moment. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #8 February 11, 2006 Do skydiving things consistent with your back problem. Can you pack? How about sewing? Maybe it is time to make a freefly jumpsuit? A tunnel trip may be OK, depending on the nature of your back trouble... -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #9 February 11, 2006 I'm in a similar situation (bit worse, can't jump for 9 months, and my injury is from jumping) - my husband has suggested i take a part-time job at the DZ (...once i can walk again....) to keep in the loop and my jumper friends seem to think this is a good idea. btwQuotestayed mentally in the game so they could return at the level they left off. ... it's probably wiser to accept that you won't be exactly at the level you were when you left off...Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flynskydive 0 #10 February 11, 2006 Yep, see if there is any work, or just go hang out. Better to keep your face around rather than dissappear for awhile and then return. I busted my leg during the winter and was unable to skydive much the next season, so I became a video editor. Just do something to keep yourself in it. USPA Strong T-I, AFF-I, Coach, Videographer/photographer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dharma1976 0 #11 February 11, 2006 yeah I am with spence...when I was injured I had a bunch of friends who were willing to come pick my ass up and take me to the DZ or DZ parties ... and then when I was able to jump they came and got me and took me to the Dropzone where we did a nice little reintroduction to skydiving together... heal well...remember a guiness washback with those pills and skydiving videos will be fun too...oh wait dont do that it is bad for you... Davehttp://www.skyjunky.com CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travman 6 #12 February 11, 2006 I've been off for the last 2 months with a neck injury. Been pumping my skydiving money into my repayments for my bike. Riding my motorbike has kept me sane, though I did have one crash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trae 1 #13 February 11, 2006 in reply to "how they (especially a novice like me) stayed mentally in the game so they could return at the level they left off. " .......................... You can return at a level above what you left if you continue to educate yourself . There are probably lots of things about skydiving you don't know. As you've only got 3 months out it should be a doddle. You COULD * get hold of some-ones collection of old skydiving magazines/books and fill up on info. * research something of particular interest in the sport eg high altitude jumping , BASE jumping , * work on encouraging others to be more careful by hanging out on the DZ full-time.(most boring/frustrating option ) * develop an interest in another crippled person(s) by hanging out at a volunteer centre where there are people more seriously hurt than yourself. This can be very humbling and rewarding * take an extra job that doesn't require much physical input and save some dollars for your return party. * focus your energy on healing well by learning how to look after yourself better. eg take a short course in some alternative medicine discipline you may be interested in such as massage or aromatherapy. * get creative and learn to paint or draw or make things. * study stuff that you need to know to become a rigger or instructor . * do maintenance on cars if no heavy liftng required. Adding performance parts can be relatively light weight work if you have access to the right gear. There are so many things you could do to occupy your time that will improve your abilities and knowledge when you are fit enough to jump again. If you use this opportunity you may be very thankful that you did get injured because it gave you the time to reassess your life and make some very worthwhile changes. Happy healing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanglesOZQld 0 #14 February 12, 2006 I am due to return to jumping probably early March after (by then) around six months away from the sport and my accident was skydiving related. The first few months sucked, especially when you live close enough to hear the drone of the jump plane almost daily but after a while I got used to it. Been down to the DZ a few times but mostly stayed away. At least I can return unlike some who through worse injury or death cannot. It is hard not to feel sorry for yourself sometimes but harder it seems to count the blessings that you DO have. BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #15 February 12, 2006 Same situation,watch videos,hang at the DZ. talk withother jumpers,read. The sky will always be there be patient. Me I have a Sz. disorder and compression fracture of T-11,T12 Bryan-------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
