skydivermom

I just completed ground school last week and had a very scary levl 2 AFF jump. Part of the problem was stress and exhaustion, so I decided to jump closer to home (the dz was 3 hours away). My main problem was getting stable during freefall. The DZ I will be going to now does static line. I've heard it's more gradual and not so overwhelming. Just wanted to know what you all thought about it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Melissa, Nice to hear from another fellow student at SM. I will definately continue skydiving, but unfortunately (in a way) not in San Marcos. I love that dropzone but I live about three hours away and that was causing some of my stress I think. I have found a place about an hour away and their prices are a lot cheaper (because they are really small). They do static line and from what I understand it is supposed to be more gradual. I let myself get overwhelmed with all the info. and what I was supposed to do on the skydive instead of just concentrating on arching. I can't stay away from San Marcos so I'm sure I'll be going down there while in training and doing tandems every now and again. Ilya was wonderful! He had some great advice that I know will help me a lot. Everyone at San Marcos took such good care of me. Mike and Douva were the ones who were with me during that wonderful freefall and they made me feel so much better about the mishap. Hopefully I will see you out there sometime. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Surprisingly, the parachute ride and watching that awesome sunset made the whole thing worth it. I know I need to get back up there, I'm just scared of freefall now. Will I ever get the arch down? I understand it's rather unrealistic of me to expect to just be a natural at this. The only thing that will keep me from continuing solo skydiving is if I find out there is some health reason why I should not do it. I'm planning on trying again either Aug. 6 or 13. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted. Thanks for the encouragment! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Which position would you want to find yourself in? Believe and live for God your whole life and find out He doesn't exist in the end (you've lost nothing). Not believe and live for God your whole life and find out He does exist in the end (you've lost everything). Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I am a student and cannot give advice. I just wanted to tell you that I also had a rough landing last Saturday and sprained my ankle as well. I didn't flare enough (if at all). I didn't even get to pull my own chute! My instructor pulled at 7000 because I could not get stable. I had no arch at all! I even lost one of my shoes during freefall (I saved the other one and decorated it). Anyway, hearing other stories makes me feel so much better. I think that is one of the purposes of this forum. Great job on getting stable in freefall! That is one of my goals. Don't give up the sport. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Wow! This really helps me. I had a horrible freefall last Saturday on my level 1 jump. I was really tired and had a respitory problem so should not have jumped to begin with. i could not get the arch down for anything! I kept going on my back and finally one of my instructors pulled the chute and then I was on my own (we had radios of course). It was kind of scary and then I had a bad reaction after I landed. I do want to repeat and keep going. My instructor gave me some breathing exercises to do and told me to relax and focus. I'm taking a few weeks off and then trying again. Good luck to you and it's encouraging to see that you are not giving up! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I'm not sure if I'm jumping again. Right now I'm scared to death of freefall. I will probably do the refresher course and try the jump again on the 6th of August or the 13th. Thanks for the encouragement and I'll keep you posted. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I don't drink or buy alcohol either (for religious reasons) but I also lost a dad to drinking. I, too, have voiced this concern and was told root beer was just fine. It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I don't look down on those who drink either but I was kind of concerned about the whole thing. I have felt nothing but respect from other jumpers when I talked about this issue. You will be fine! Have fun! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Completed ground school this past Saturday at SSM. It was storming pretty good when I arrived that morning so I didn't think I would be doing a jump that day. After ground school was over the sky was clear enough for us to jump so myself and another student just practiced together and looked over the class materials. By the time it was my turn to jump I had been there for twelve hours and was nothing short of exhausted. Should have never gotten on that plane! We(myself, Douva and Mike) exited and the last thing I remember is looking up at the wing and then it was total chaos. The arch that I was attempting to do just didn't exist. I was on my back and just couldn't get stable. The next thing I knew I was watching my pilot chute deploy as one of my instructors pulled for me. Oh, and I lost a shoe during freefall so I'm thinking "great, I am going to do my first landing with one shoe!" Then I reached up and grabbed the toggles and realized I was up there all alone, looked at the altimeter (7,000), checked my canopy for controllability and enjoyed the gorgous sunset! My instructors then told me which way to turn and such, and before I knew it I was actually landing at the dz instead of someone's backyard! Didn't flare hard enough and so landing was a little rough, but I stood up (eventually) and was able to walk. While I was talking with my instructors about the jump, everything started spinning and I lost feeling in my hands and feet. So my instructor carries me to some couch and they eventually call the paramedics. So I left the dz in an ambulance and spent the next few hours in the ER. Everyone at SM was absolutely wonderful! I never felt alone or unsafe. They really took great care of me. The Doc determined my innter ear was messed up from the pressure changes and the crazy freefall. I had also just gotten over a mild case of pneumonia. That is why everything started spinning and I couldn't feel my extremities. It was pretty scary. Thought I was having a stroke. After much thought and getting some wonderful advice from Ilya, I have decided to wait until I'm completely better, take a refresher course and try the jump again. If the same thing happens, forget solo skydiving. I'll just stick with tandems! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Wow! So it is official now. I was at SSM on the 18th of June and heard Mr. C talking to someone about selling the place. Where are Phil and Deb going? And Eric Butts. He is so cool. Took me on my first tandem that got me addicted to skydiving. Does that mean he won't be in the air much? I would love to fly with him again. If all goes well, I'll start AFF on July 16. Looking forward to getting to know you all. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I am just getting started but so far I am really in love with controlling the parachute. Of course I have only done it with the help of an instructor strapped to my back but we will see how much fun it is when I do my first solo jump. Freefall is still a little scary to me, but I'm sure I will get used to it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Your post is a blessing! I myself am a student at SSM and just did my last tandem a couple of weeks ago. During the last jump, I found myself zoning out during freefall as well. Plus I couldn't seem to get my arms to work to do the turns! I went with this guy named Jason Lemley and he was very patient and understanding. When we landed and he told me I could stand, I fell on my face and my dear sweet husband was there to capture the moment with our camera! Anyway, I'm in no position to give advice, it's just so helpful knowing I'm not the only one to experience that. Way to go on doing ten jumps. Maybe I'll see you out there sometime. I'm starting gound school on July 16 and I guess AFF (if all goes well). Good luck and enjoy the skies! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Wow! There weren't any coaches jumping with you? Or do you mean your first solo after going through AFF? That sounds awesome either way. Hey, I fell on my face on my last jump and it was a tandem! Great job having a smooth landing on your first solo! I start AFF on July 16 and I'm scared silly! You are and inspiration to me. Enjoy and stick with it. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I appreciate the info and advice. Wonderful to know I won't be the only non-drinker. Watching your dad die from liver failure due to alcoholism is a very SOBERING experience! I will be making lots of pies (that will hopefully not end up all over me) and buying lots of cold soda! Looking forward to it all. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks for the info! Right now the thought of taking a passenger with me scares me to death, as I guess it should. Sounds like too much responsibility anyway, but I will have a blast earning my license and then just spending some of my Saturdays jumping! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Great, I feel much better about the alcohol thing. If I ever meet up with you at a boogie or something I will make sure I have root beer. Definately a deal! Wish me luck in AFF and good luck with your future jumps. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I hope root beer counts because that is the only kind of beer I will be buying or drinking! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I have yet to go to my first boogie as I am very new to skydiving. I would love to meet new people and act silly and crazy, I just don't drink or buy alcohol. I hope this will not be a problem. I certainly expect people to be who they are and would never dream of pushing my views or beliefs on anyone, I just want to make sure right from the beginning that I can hang out with other skydivers and be myself as well. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I am just about to start AFF next month. Did my first tandem in April for my birthday. My seven year old son is just ecstatic about the whole thing and as of now wants to take up skydiving. He keeps asking me if he can take his first dive attatched to me. At this point my goal is to get my A license so I can just go jump by myself and have fun. I don't know if I will want to progress to other levels later on, but something concerns me. I'm 5"1 and 115 lbs. How in the world will I be able to take others on a tandem as most grown people are taller than I am? Does this have anything to do with it? Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Completely understand about he money thing. I'm a full-time Mom and so I'm babysitting to fund this hobby. My husband is just so happy I found something just for me and that he doesn't have to stress about paying for it. You are right, you can always find something more important to spend it on, especially when you have kids. I knew if I kept putting it off that it would probably never happen! Well, have fun in AFF and let me know how you do. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Congratulations from one student to another. I just did my last tandem this past weekend as well. It's too exciting for words. How did you get into the sport? My AFF course starts on July 16 and I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Always wanted to find something I liked this much (besides my husband) but never thought it would be skydiving! Best of luck and enjoy. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

From one student to another, BLESS YOUR HEART! I commend you for having the courage and humility to share this experience. I learned a lot just from reading it. I have yet to do my first solo jump (July 16 if all goes well) and I can't imagine what I would have done in that situation. I suppose we can all surprise ourselves when we get in a pinch like that. Of course I am in absolutely no position to give any advice, I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you for coming on here with this. Good luck in the future and don't give up! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks for the advice. I definately want another video, especially since I'm going by myself soon. As soon as I figure out how to post pics on here, I'll send one of both of my little monkeys hanging out at the dropzone! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

I am definately going to have the time of my life, but it will be with all my clothes on! Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

Thanks so much! It is nice to be a part of something where everyone seems to be looking out for everyone else. I'm sure the more jumps i complete the less nervous I will be. It's always scary starting something new, especially when it is thousands of feet above sea level! I love a good time as much as anybody else, but I don't do alcohol at all. I'll have to be the designated water drinker I guess. Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28