novice 0 #1 January 26, 2004 Please could some experienced skydivers give me some advice. I used to sydive 12 years ago (only did 45 jumps), struggled with getting my exits right, de-arching; had to cut away once, then went onto AFF had no problems, apart from having to once again cut away on level 2 (due to panicking a bit because of the pilot hanging up in the 'burble'). Passed through to level 4 with no other problems - but gave up the sport because i was too scared of going unstable and having to cut-away again. Since then i have been a regular paraglider for about 8 years - but nothing compares to freefall and I'm sure you'll agree. Do you think its wise to try and get back into your sport - I've been told by another skydiver that if I'm still scared I shouldn't start it again. What advice do you have? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #2 January 26, 2004 QuoteDo you think its wise to try and get back into your sport - I've been told by another skydiver that if I'm still scared I shouldn't start it again. What advice do you have? Dude, there's only one way to find out: do a tandem or an AFF level 1 and see how you feel. I don't think you'll regret it, either you'll love it and be glad that you gave it another shot or you won't love it but at least you'll know. And it's quite natural to be scared so don't let that put you off. Gus ps If you fill in the details in your profile (click on the 'Edit Profile' in the top-left corner) people are much more likely to reply to your posts since they can see that you're a real person!OutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
novice 0 #3 January 26, 2004 Thanks Gus, I still have to get up the courage to return to the sport Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BASE813 0 #4 January 26, 2004 put it this way what is better......... thinking you dont want to do it by not trying it out again....... or trying it again and KNOWING you dont want to do it........... of course you may just love it and find that now is your time............. Dont die with regrets.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gus 1 #5 January 26, 2004 Well said Mac. Mark it's not all that uncommon to have big breaks in the middle of your jumping career, I know several people that have stopped for a number of years (for various reasons) before picking it up again. And you might find that all the time you've spent in the air paragliding will help your confidence. Do it! GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites boxingrrl 0 #6 January 26, 2004 Like Mac and Gus said! You'll never know if you don't try... I don't want to read too much into it, but it almost sounds like you expected to be the perfect skydiver right out the door. Relax. Everyone has been unstable, or had a case of the spins, or couldn't land themselves for dookie-- but, you just keep getting back in the plane and trying. Just because you're not perfect at it doesn't mean you can't love doing it-- and with practice and direction, you'll improve. Welcome back! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites novice 0 #7 January 26, 2004 Thank you to all of you for the words of encouragement!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kitof1976 0 #8 January 26, 2004 My two cents on this is that it's better to regret something you did that something you didn't do... Go do that AFF 1 again and you'll know... and it won't eat you from the inside to wonder if you are made for it or not anymore! "We see the world just the way we are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nightingale 0 #9 January 26, 2004 once you get to level 6 AFF, you'll learn that instability is nothing to fear. All you have to do is arch, you're stable again. Your instructors will help you, and they won't pass you to a level you're not ready for. Relax, take a deep breath, and JUMP! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #10 January 26, 2004 QuoteDo you think its wise to try and get back into your sport - I've been told by another skydiver that if I'm still scared I shouldn't start it again. What advice do you have? Only you can answer that. Afterall; it's you that are experiencing the real feelings that you're having. It's natural to be "scared". Are you nervous when you are doing your paragliding? Being nervous is what keeps us alive. I suggest doing a search on this forum. There have been alot of great threads started by people that are in the same position you're in. Good luck to you what ever you decide.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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites novice 0 #11 January 28, 2004 Thanks for the reply, Yes, I am sometimes nervous and scared paragliding - although I 'd say comparing with what you do and paragliding. Paragliding has potential unpredictable risks (weather related), when we can have unexpected canopy collapses no matter how experienced we may think we are. I was thinking about this and i suppose an experienced skydiver faces less risk than us, because he/she has reached a stage where they have control over their fear - because the times i had problems skydiving were all in by own head - the chute malfunctioned because i either pulled unstable or panicked when the pilot chute hesitated. I think you'll agree the equipment you jump with is extremely reliable in the hands of someone who has mastered their own mind and learnt to do the drills properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LuvToFly 0 #12 January 28, 2004 QuoteThanks for the reply, Yes, I am sometimes nervous and scared paragliding - although I 'd say comparing with what you do and paragliding. Paragliding has potential unpredictable risks (weather related), when we can have unexpected canopy collapses no matter how experienced we may think we are. I was thinking about this and i suppose an experienced skydiver faces less risk than us, because he/she has reached a stage where they have control over their fear - because the times i had problems skydiving were all in by own head - the chute malfunctioned because i either pulled unstable or panicked when the pilot chute hesitated. I think you'll agree the equipment you jump with is extremely reliable in the hands of someone who has mastered their own mind and learnt to do the drills properly. Mark, I think most would agree that there is risk in both sports. Watching paragliders off of Torey Pines in California two years ago made me more nervous than skydiving. Something about running off that cliff with the chutes not quite inflated... But I think you owe it to yourself to try. It's been a while, and you may find your perspective has changed. And if, when you do, you still think it is just too terrifying (although think it will be fine if you paraglide) consider if it is for you. Better not to force things because as it was mentioned, panic almost always produces mistakes. There will be risk in either venue. I mean, one is flying through the sky with the Leonardo DiVinci's dream of unassisted flight. And your equipment will only take you so far - The most nervous folks I trained with were the ones that were unsure of the material, or just had a hyper-fear of failure, etc.. Pay very close attention to your training; ask questions, and know your emergency procedures. These things will help build your confidence in most cases - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gremlin 0 #13 January 28, 2004 I would def recommend getting back in the air. Get the best AFF instructors you can and throughly explain your situation and worries. You then need to focus on the positive aspects of the jump. Don't think about the negatives, don't consciously not think about the negatives as that will just keep them knocking around in your brain. Just concentrate on the positives. Concentrate on knowing that you can do this and you will. So much of skydiving is mental. And once you've done it you'll realise it was so worth while. I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mdwhalen 0 #14 January 28, 2004 Tell me about cutting away on your Level 2. I assume you had 2 instructors with you with the reserve side still in place when you cut away."I have magic buttons ;)." skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Blahr 0 #15 January 28, 2004 I was away for 8 years and returned. I was quite apprehensive prior to starting again. I'm sure glad I didnt let that stop me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jsaxton 0 #16 January 28, 2004 I don't recommend it, you could die skydiving. 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BASE813 0 #4 January 26, 2004 put it this way what is better......... thinking you dont want to do it by not trying it out again....... or trying it again and KNOWING you dont want to do it........... of course you may just love it and find that now is your time............. Dont die with regrets.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #5 January 26, 2004 Well said Mac. Mark it's not all that uncommon to have big breaks in the middle of your jumping career, I know several people that have stopped for a number of years (for various reasons) before picking it up again. And you might find that all the time you've spent in the air paragliding will help your confidence. Do it! GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boxingrrl 0 #6 January 26, 2004 Like Mac and Gus said! You'll never know if you don't try... I don't want to read too much into it, but it almost sounds like you expected to be the perfect skydiver right out the door. Relax. Everyone has been unstable, or had a case of the spins, or couldn't land themselves for dookie-- but, you just keep getting back in the plane and trying. Just because you're not perfect at it doesn't mean you can't love doing it-- and with practice and direction, you'll improve. Welcome back! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
novice 0 #7 January 26, 2004 Thank you to all of you for the words of encouragement!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitof1976 0 #8 January 26, 2004 My two cents on this is that it's better to regret something you did that something you didn't do... Go do that AFF 1 again and you'll know... and it won't eat you from the inside to wonder if you are made for it or not anymore! "We see the world just the way we are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #9 January 26, 2004 once you get to level 6 AFF, you'll learn that instability is nothing to fear. All you have to do is arch, you're stable again. Your instructors will help you, and they won't pass you to a level you're not ready for. Relax, take a deep breath, and JUMP! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #10 January 26, 2004 QuoteDo you think its wise to try and get back into your sport - I've been told by another skydiver that if I'm still scared I shouldn't start it again. What advice do you have? Only you can answer that. Afterall; it's you that are experiencing the real feelings that you're having. It's natural to be "scared". Are you nervous when you are doing your paragliding? Being nervous is what keeps us alive. I suggest doing a search on this forum. There have been alot of great threads started by people that are in the same position you're in. Good luck to you what ever you decide.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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
novice 0 #11 January 28, 2004 Thanks for the reply, Yes, I am sometimes nervous and scared paragliding - although I 'd say comparing with what you do and paragliding. Paragliding has potential unpredictable risks (weather related), when we can have unexpected canopy collapses no matter how experienced we may think we are. I was thinking about this and i suppose an experienced skydiver faces less risk than us, because he/she has reached a stage where they have control over their fear - because the times i had problems skydiving were all in by own head - the chute malfunctioned because i either pulled unstable or panicked when the pilot chute hesitated. I think you'll agree the equipment you jump with is extremely reliable in the hands of someone who has mastered their own mind and learnt to do the drills properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #12 January 28, 2004 QuoteThanks for the reply, Yes, I am sometimes nervous and scared paragliding - although I 'd say comparing with what you do and paragliding. Paragliding has potential unpredictable risks (weather related), when we can have unexpected canopy collapses no matter how experienced we may think we are. I was thinking about this and i suppose an experienced skydiver faces less risk than us, because he/she has reached a stage where they have control over their fear - because the times i had problems skydiving were all in by own head - the chute malfunctioned because i either pulled unstable or panicked when the pilot chute hesitated. I think you'll agree the equipment you jump with is extremely reliable in the hands of someone who has mastered their own mind and learnt to do the drills properly. Mark, I think most would agree that there is risk in both sports. Watching paragliders off of Torey Pines in California two years ago made me more nervous than skydiving. Something about running off that cliff with the chutes not quite inflated... But I think you owe it to yourself to try. It's been a while, and you may find your perspective has changed. And if, when you do, you still think it is just too terrifying (although think it will be fine if you paraglide) consider if it is for you. Better not to force things because as it was mentioned, panic almost always produces mistakes. There will be risk in either venue. I mean, one is flying through the sky with the Leonardo DiVinci's dream of unassisted flight. And your equipment will only take you so far - The most nervous folks I trained with were the ones that were unsure of the material, or just had a hyper-fear of failure, etc.. Pay very close attention to your training; ask questions, and know your emergency procedures. These things will help build your confidence in most cases - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #13 January 28, 2004 I would def recommend getting back in the air. Get the best AFF instructors you can and throughly explain your situation and worries. You then need to focus on the positive aspects of the jump. Don't think about the negatives, don't consciously not think about the negatives as that will just keep them knocking around in your brain. Just concentrate on the positives. Concentrate on knowing that you can do this and you will. So much of skydiving is mental. And once you've done it you'll realise it was so worth while. I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdwhalen 0 #14 January 28, 2004 Tell me about cutting away on your Level 2. I assume you had 2 instructors with you with the reserve side still in place when you cut away."I have magic buttons ;)." skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #15 January 28, 2004 I was away for 8 years and returned. I was quite apprehensive prior to starting again. I'm sure glad I didnt let that stop me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #16 January 28, 2004 I don't recommend it, you could die skydiving. Edited to say: j/k Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
