cruzit

My response to people at work (lots of rodeo guys) who ask me the standard...Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Your right...it's pretty hard to find applicable statistics...but You obviously have some strong feelings on this subject, as do I. My point is...and I obviously didn't make it very well...is that if you play be the rules...skydiving is generally very, very safe. There was, what, maybe 2 fatalities last year not caused by pilot error of some type??? I wish the same could be said of automobiles, where you must constantly hope the other driver isn't drunk, sleepy, playing with his radio, yelling at the kids, etc. So in deference of fostering good relationships on the board...I offer this quote Alright, alright I apologize. I'm really, really sorry. I apologize unreservedly. I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basic in fact and was in no way fair comment and was motivated purely by malice and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you or your family and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.

Then you are deluding yourself. That "statistic" as you have stated it, is patently FALSE. Okay...I'll bite, even though I sense a troll. Driving fatalities per 100,000 licensed drivers 22.06 (2001 statistics used) Driving fatalities per 100,000 population 14.86. Skydiving fatalities on average, don't even come close to this. 2,000,000 jumps in any given year with general fatalities falling under 30 per year. If you exclude the fatalities which arise from skydivers killed in a plane going in, the fatality rate is lower. Give it up...you obviously don't know what you are talking about.

Although we have digressed a little bit...yes I do really believe that.

I had the same kind of feelings when I started jumping. I felt really pressured to continue in the sport because my husband was a long time jumper and all of our friends were jumpers. I didn't feel like I could really talk about being so nervous about jumping with them without seeming like a scaredy cat. I was always self-talking on the plane ride up..."I don't have to jump if I don't want...blah blah." But I kept on getting out. I know this is going to sound weird, but the thing that helped me the most was actually having a function. I remember thinking, this is it...it either works or it doesn't...and if it doesn't, I won't have too long to worry about it. I finally figured out that I was afraid that I wouldn't perform under pressure. That was on my 82nd jump. Since then, the butterflies have gone away. It really is okay to have nerves, nerves keep you sharp...but don't let it get in the way of doing something you love to do. Remember, statistically speaking, you have a much better chance of being injured or killed in a car accident on the way to the DZ.

Cool...just found the site. Howdy all

20 way night skydive over Skydive Dallas in December of 95 or 96 (I just can't remember). Beautiful, crisp, clear night. While we were holding the formation, we got a stunning view of the Dallas Metroplex completely lit up.