Currency

[Nightingale 0]

Next time I get to jump again, it will probably be January 30. That will be 60 days from my last jumps on December 1.

I know I'm going to have to jump with an instructor at that time, because I won't be current anymore.

My question is...

How much do you really forget? Am I going to need to re-learn how to arch and all that?

I'm not real worried about forgetting emergency procedures, because I try to take a few minutes every couple of days and practice them just to make sure they stay in muscle memory, but I am really worried about forgetting technique and canopy skills.

Plus... I'm probably going to be scared out of my mind. It seems the longer I go between jumps, the more I freak in the door.

Anyone have any advice?

[mwabd1 0]

[WILDBILLAQR 0]

Relax! I went 60 days once & had a great jump! In fact it was the 1st time I had passed w/ that instructor.

----------------------------------------------
"Thats not smoke, thats BUCKEYE!!"
AQR#3,CWR#49

[flyangel2 2]

Getting re-current with an instructor is more of a review of ground training to make sure you remember what to do in different situations. Don't worry if you answer the questions wrong, that's why they are there, to review with you. Hanging in the harness and reviewing your emergency procedures will also be included. Having the instructor go up in freefall with you is more of a "watch and see" how you are doing, it'll also help you to relax more, knowing an instructor is near by. I don't think you'll forget how to arch, but you may experience some kind of "over-load" once you go out the door, but that will leave fairly quickly since you have been there, and done that.

I have over 3000 skydives, and if I haven't jumped for a while, I find myself nervous. It's natural. Good luck to you.

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

[Nightingale 0]

I can get to the DZ, I just can't afford to jump.

I had to completely drain my savings because my bank screwed up on some student loan paperwork, so I had to pay for my class up front so the school didn't drop my registration. Its straightened out now, but the loan funds won't be released into my student account til January 26th, so the school won't issue a refund. I had to shell out $2100 cash to keep my registration, and when you've only got two classes left, you can't just let them drop you and re-register later. So, I have NO surplus cash right now.

I've also gotten the opportunity to buy a used rig with a cypres for a great price. In the next few weeks, I'm going to have to scrape up the cash for that... so, right now I have to choose between buying a rig in good condition with AAD and both canopies, and jumping rental gear to stay current. If I pay to jump the rental gear, I won't have the cash to buy a rig. If I buy the rig, I won't have the cash to jump until I can reimburse myself for the cost of school when I get the loan funds.

I can get cash, but its enough for either jumping OR gear, not both.

catch 22.

[RoadRash 0]

How much you remember or forget, really depends on the person. I went 8 months without jumping, had a more or less 2 hour ground school and reviewed emergency procedures and was back up in a week. The jump went great and I had a blast! I was severely nervous though! The key is to relax and think! You know what you have to do on each and every jump, so do it!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~...

[EricaH 0]

I was out for 6 weeks during my AFF... the jumping was no problem. I learned more in the re-currency ground school than I had in the AFF1 course!
The instructor matters.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[FrogNog 1]

Quote

so, right now I have to choose between buying a rig in good condition with AAD and both canopies, and jumping rental gear to stay current.

Do you have any buddies at the DZ that you can borrow gear from? Obviously if you do this you have the risk of owing even more if you're wearing their gear when something unexpected happens, but if it goes well, you can get some jumps and save the price on rental. I've got something of this deal going at my DZ right now.

Also, if you get just two jumps in between now and Jan 30, properly spaced, you will retain currency under the rules. This may or may not be better than waiting until then and having a coach jump. But if it's what you want, see if you can beg for that money from somewhere.

Uh, I'd send you some, except I'm trying to pay for my first rig, used canopies, used Cypres, etc.. But on rainy weekend days I have considered getting a cardboard sign for the offramp....

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[Nightingale 0]

everyone I know is an experienced jumper, and not flying the boats of canopies that I am. The ones with rigs that would fit me are all flying 120s or thereabouts.

I may try to scrape together the $50 for gear and the like for one solo at Elsinore... it won't be easy though, and will probably mean playing the overdraft game with my checking account.

[Tonto 1]

Quote

Relax! I went 60 days once & had a great jump! In fact it was the 1st time I had passed w/ that instructor.

Yeah, and I had a former AFF student (who had 68 jumps at the time) go 2 months, have full refresher training, a recurency jump, and die as the result of incomplete reserve drills the same day.

Its just like riding a bike, except your going 120 MPH

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[Michele 1]

Quote

everyone I know is an experienced jumper, and not flying the boats of canopies that I am

Except, uh, one....

There's me.

I should be getting out at least one more time this year, and you are welcome to use my gear. And, if I do have more surgery in the beginning of Jan., I will probably be down for a few weeks at least, and you can use my stuff then.

Let me know...it's a Spectre 210, and likely the harness will be a bit big on you, but that isn't as bad as too small a canopy.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Nightingale 0]

Michele you are such a sweetheart! call me and we'll chat.

[RippedCord 0]

When are you jumping? I'll bring Michele's gear out to you...unless Michele is coming out to the dropzone just so's we can enjoy her cherubic smile.

:::whistling, looking skyward right:::

AMDG

[Michele 1]

Cherubic?? Gee, thanks.

I think - not positive - the plan is to go out next weekend one of the days, and let her jump my stuff once or twice while I'm there, and then also to maybe go out in the first week of the year before my Dr's appointment again on the 5th, and then after that, if the Dr. grounds me again (pretty likely), she can have the gear til either hers is ready or I'm back in the sky (prolly 4-5 weeks if the Dr. opens me again.).

Either way, as long as she gets some airtime once every 30 days, she can still maintain currency, and work towards her license.

It's something like that, right, Kris?

Oh, and YAY Sparky! You rock! Just thought I'd add that in for good measure.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Nightingale 0]

Yup. Sounds like a plan, Michele!

[skymick 0]

Quote

How much do you really forget? Am I going to need to re-learn how to arch and all that?

Well after almost 7 months without doing a jump due to a broken back I got back in the air this w/e yahoo!. I found that its like riding a bike, once you learn you dont forget. I'm still a bit rusty with rel etc but in terms of general awareness etc, there's no problem. I ended up doing 2 Hop n' Pops to test my new canopy out (and to make sure the openings didnt break my back again!) and by the 3rd jump I was doing an 8 way tracking jump and it felt like normal again.

Since you're a student though it might be slightly different, but I think once you overcome any nerves then all the rest should go back into place.

[andy2 0]

[QUOTE]Either way, as long as she gets some airtime once every 30 days, she can still maintain currency, and work towards her license.[/QUOTE]

This in my opinion is a very very bad idea. Especially for someone with not that many jumps. I know the "rules" are set that if you make one jump in a month you dont have to go through formal currency training but its extremely stupid to push the edge of that. If all you can make is one skydive a month is it really worth it to you to risk so much? Why don't you take a break until you can skydive currently and safely. Like they said, it's just like riding a bike at 120mph...

---------------------------------------------
let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Michele 1]

I wrote out a long response, decided it wasn't going to help.

You have your opinion, and your contribution is appreciated. Kris will make her mind up about what she chooses to do, knowing all the different aspects of it, and I will loan her my gear should she want it.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Nightingale 0]

My instructors have advised me that I would be better off with doing a jump or two as often as I can, even if they are a couple of weeks apart, rather than taking 60 days straight off.

I am going to listen to their advice and jump whenever I can.

[newsstand 0]

Quote

[QUOTE]Either way, as long as she gets some airtime once every 30 days, she can still maintain currency, and work towards her license.[/QUOTE]

This in my opinion is a very very bad idea. Especially for someone with not that many jumps. I know the "rules" are set that if you make one jump in a month you dont have to go through formal currency training but its extremely stupid to push the edge of that. If all you can make is one skydive a month is it really worth it to you to risk so much? Why don't you take a break until you can skydive currently and safely. Like they said, it's just like riding a bike at 120mph...

My finances allow for one day, three jumps a month. I have 28 jumps and an A license. I'm never going to be a world class jumper on this schedule, hell I may never make it to a C license, but I have fun. The folks I jump with are aware of my schedule and are more than willing to take a little extra time with me once a month to make sure things are safe and fun for all. Is it worth the "risk?" Yes, right now it is all that keeps me sane.

"Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes