Getting back into it... need a confidence boost!

[87SupraT 0]

Alright, I have been out of the sport for a long time. Mainly school, but also inside fear. I had a rough 1st jump, I fractured my tailbone and my instructor dislocated his arm. I did my 2nd working tandem after that and took a ground course to get ready for AFF, but never continued. Now, I have $600 all for skydiving. I bought an old 7 cell Cloud to practice packing, Pro pack, BASE packing etc.... I have become aware of everything on the canopy and have scared myself. I don't have a problem with the freefall it is just the under canopy control. Right now I am scared the parachute won't be stable, that it could suddenly collapse and then everything will be gone. I know I am over doing my fear, but it is something I will have to face one day or another. I need some confidence from those who got through their AFF. The landing is my scariest part, although I will be loading at .73 to 1 I am still scared on the landing. Please give me some hope
Dale

~Dale

[mailin 0]

To better understand how the canopy works you should read Brian Germains book, The parachute and its pilot. He does an excellent job of explaining everything (and I mean everything) about canopy flight.

You may also want to look into a canopy course once you are cleared to self supervise (I think thats 8 jumps on AFF). Scott Miller offers a fantastic course that I've taken twice and he does travel around the US during the summer offering his courses at DZs that otherwise wouldn't see such a course. I can't recommend him enough!


Jen

Arianna Frances

[Lindsey 0]

Most of us have a malfunction every once in a while. Learn what to do when that happens. Know how you'll respond and be prepared for that scenario. Your AFF instructors will teach you how to deal with malfunctions. Pay attention and practice. Ask questions. That's the best way to boost your confidence, imho.

Peace~
linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Orange1 0]

Just newbie advice but then again i'm still new enough to remember the fear

I found what helps with confidence is KNOWING your dive - go over your dive right from climbout, all the way to landing (go out on the DZ before you jump, look at wind direction, look where you'll be holding, plan your pattern, plan what to do if the wind changes, plan what to do if you open somewhere different than you expect - even if you're on radio it will help if you know it yourself anyway) and visualise it all - again, from exit right down to that perfect flare.

If you jump in an area with occasional unpredictable winds, or even if you don't, have a chat to your instructors about the best way to handle a bit of turbulence on your canopy and a collapse. I had a partial collapse on jump 8 or 9 (probably caused by thermic activityl) - it is scary but just like your parachute wants the air when it opens, it wants it when it's flying too.

Good on you for the packing, you understand how the canopy works - i'd second the suggestion to read Germain's book. Knowing and trusting your equipment, and knowing and trusting yourself, is imho one of the best ways to get confidence at an early stage.

Good luck, and have fun!

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[87SupraT 0]

Thanks alot for the replies and for the great info! Orange1, you bring up a bunch of good points and thanks again. I will definitely be planning the jump from the plane to the ground. I am going to be retaking the AFF ground course again since it has been over 6 months since I last did it. The course should definitely help me out mentally. I am just the type that wants to know everything about the equipment I am using, how it works, why it works, that is another reason why I have been out so long. I don't want to be up there on blind faith. Thanks again, appreciate it.

Dale

~Dale