Training to combat Panic?

[Mike111 0]

Having read another thrad "Thoughts on Panic", and a few posts in the incident forum of where jupmers panic and hurt themselves, it was mentioned that the best way to train people is to drill in the proceedures under extreme pressure.

On one AFF level 5 jump, (and on pulling parachutes), i panicked badly when tumbling and spining and my instructor bailed me out thankfully, but i failed to react to the situation although knowing afterwards what i should have done.

Are there any such such circumstanes where a student can tain themselves under extreme pressure to help combat this panic and make sure they can react cool and calmy?.

I did think about quitting because i thought i wasn't suited or capable of engaging in the sport, but there have been situations outside of skydibing where i have remained fully calm - could it be lack of awareness of the new environment?

IF someone has panicked before, does it mean they have the capabiltiy to overcome it, or is it an ingrained thing which can never be resolved?

Does relaxation in freefall and slower calmer movements help in preventing panic?

Any advice, thougths or tips would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks in advance,

mIke

[Belgian_Skygirl 0]

Panic can happen. But I think there is away to learn on how to react in some situations. If I am not mistaken, drilling execices are good... in the army I think it is called musscle memory training. Doing things over and over and over again untill you do them without thinking... untill it has become a natural reaction. It can safe lifes. On the other hand I wonder as well the following: sometimes it is your creativity that can save your life...

You can learn how to deal with panic;.. I am sure, but like everywhere there are people that never will learn,...

-------------------------------------------------

No dive, like skydive... wanna bet on it?

[Ron 10]

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Are there any such such circumstanes where a student can tain themselves under extreme pressure to help combat this panic and make sure they can react cool and calmy?.

The best advice I can give you.

1. Learn to not fear your reserve.
a. watch one being packed, there is not magic involved.
b. get a demo reserve from PD. They have them set up to be used as mains.
c. Look forward to your first ride...They are fun as hell.

2. Do a bunch of low hop n pops. You will learn that air is air and you will remove your irrational fear of going low.

Being at 1,000 feet in freefall is not fatal. PANICKING when you are there IS. The only way to remove that fear is to do things that build confidence. I recomend hop n pops from the lowest altitdue you license will allow.

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IF someone has panicked before, does it mean they have the capabiltiy to overcome it, or is it an ingrained thing which can never be resolved?

Look you are in a strange environment, doing something unsual....Panic is normal. The key is to become comfertable so you will not panic. The other weekend I did 27 jumps....My awareness was better on the second day and I noticed things I didn't before.

Currency and repetition is the key.

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Does relaxation in freefall and slower calmer movements help in preventing panic?

Yes..The only way to become relaxed....Currency and repetition.

BTW there are some books you can read if you can find them.

The Inner Athlete
The Warrior Athlete

Both by Dan Millman.

Edit, DAN, not DAM

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[DrewGPM 0]

Knowing why panic happens is an important step in controlling it. The best book I've seen on the subject is Transcending Fear by Brian Germain. He's not just canopy designer, he's a very knowledgable guy when it comes to the psycology of fear.

http://www.bigairsportz.com/publishing.php#transcending

[Mike111 0]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your help, you mentioned the demo - would i have to wait until im off student status to try that?

With regard to hop and pops, AFF 8 (im not quite there yet) is from 5,000 - the A license minumum altutide is around 3,000 opening tiem I think - would you recommend going from 4,000 or 5,000?

Thanks for you help,

Mike

[Mike111 0]

Thanks, Ill definaetely look into it and try and buy it.


Cheers
Mike

[Mike111 0]

Hey,

Thanks for you advice to, but would you recommend doing these in a harness or just kind of miming them when im are not at the dropzone in order to keep currency?

Thanks,

Mike

[TomAiello 26]

Consider also trying some other activities that require you to control panic. This ought to give you a chance to ease into it with things that allow slower decision making.

I personally found rock climbing good for that.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[Ron 10]

Quote

Consider also trying some other activities that require you to control panic. This ought to give you a chance to ease into it with things that allow slower decision making.

I personally found rock climbing good for that.

I found dating two chicks at the same time to be really good at controling panic

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Ron 10]

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Thanks for your help, you mentioned the demo - would i have to wait until im off student status to try that?

Yeah I think you will have to wait till after you get a license, but I don't know for sure.

Email Kolla she is quite helpful.

Quote

With regard to hop and pops, AFF 8 (im not quite there yet) is from 5,000 - the A license minumum altutide is around 3,000 opening tiem I think - would you recommend going from 4,000 or 5,000?

I would start at 5, then go 4, then go 3.5 then 3 grand.

I would do 3 grand hop n pops till I was comfertable.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[billvon 3,116]

A few ways to control panic:

1. Expose yourself to as similar an environment as possible, and practice in that environment. Spinning around in a hanging harness, for example, is better than standing on the ground and pretending.

2. Repetition. The more you do something the more comfortable you'll get with it. That's one reason repeat AFF levels help; they get you comfortable with the basics (the freefall, the deployment) and let you spend more time on the more difficult tasks.

3. Small changes. Make only small changes at any one time. Once you're off student status, don't do your first 3-way on the same jump you try a new rig at a new drop zone. Again, this gives you time to acclimate to the new environment.

4. Understand all your options. Often, panic is a result of someone feeling out of control. If you understand everything you can do, you're more likely to do something right than panic.

[JohnMitchell 16]

You can also practice your EP's through visualization. I think every experienced jumper reviews their EP's by going through them in their head. This visualization can include all kinds of wind, ground rush, or tumbling you wish.

After over thirty years of EP's, mine are totally automatic. I'm under my reserve before I really have time to think about it. My hands have a mind of their own. (I've used that excuse for a lot of things.)

[Mike111 0]

Hi,

Thanks for the info - although i would never be able to do rock climbing - my coordination is way too poor, i will definately have a good think into other such activities which would give me the chance to practice at a slower pace..

Cheers,

Mike

[Mike111 0]

Hi,

Thanks for the help - you mentioned a similar environement, ive been thinking of a wind tunnel, would that be a good option?

Thanks,

mike

[Mike111 0]

Thanks for the info, when in the plane i always try and visualise the skydive and taks and Ep's, although i need helluva lotof practice...

...but i can control my hands lol!

mike

[Mike111 0]

Hey,

sorry to ask another question, but if i eventually went from 3,000, how long would i have to freefall before pull time? 5 seconds?

Thanks,
mike

[nate_1979 9]

Quote

Hey,

sorry to ask another question, but if i eventually went from 3,000, how long would i have to pull? 5 seconds?

Thanks,
mike

The rest of your life...

Edited to add: sorry couldnt resist

5 seconds is good, but it wouldnt be the end of the world if you took a bit longer.

FGF #???
I miss the sky...
There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't.

[Mike111 0]

lol thanks - i just edited the post you qouted from.

lol no probs, it was funny!

Well, it would be the end of the world for me if i delayed too lonnnnnngggggggg..... lol

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

Hey,

Thanks for you advice to, but would you recommend doing these in a harness or just kind of miming them when im are not at the dropzone in order to keep currency?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Both

• Quote

[riggerrob 643]

Just read an article on the subject of panicing while in the pilot's seat.
The conclusion was that pilots who think/talk through emergency scenarios - and practice them with instructors - have a far greater survival rate.

You are so busy talking yourself through emergency procedures that your conscious mind does not have time to panic.

[Ron 10]

Quote

sorry to ask another question, but if i eventually went from 3,000, how long would i have to freefall before pull time? 5 seconds?

Not bothering me at all.

The delay can be as short as as soon as you are stable, up to 5 seconds or so.

Even with a 5 second delay you will be around 2200 feet.

As ALWAYS work slowly and talk with your instructors.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Mike111 0]

Thanks for the answer. Ive found some stuff on that and its quite helpful.

Thanks

[Mike111 0]

Thanks veyr much for ALL the advice you have given me - very helpful.

When i next visit the DZ, ill be armed with all the knowlegde i need to practice the necessary things- thats a start

Thanks again,

mike

[valcore 0]

Yea sign up for infantry in the Marine Corps everything else will pail in comparison.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the government and I'm here to help’. ~Ronald Reagan

30,000,000 legal firearm owners killed no one yesterday.

[EvilLurker 2]

Make sure when you're doing those low hop'n'pops that you feel your PC handle last thing before you exit ( I do that on EVERY jump). You don't have any time to waste searching for one that's pushed into the pouch. I've done a 5 second delay from 1900, so you're okay for a 5 from 3 grand. Don't screw around looking for a lost pud, though, go straight to your reserve before you're in Cypres territory. Have fun.