danielcroft

I've just recently completed level 8 in the tandem progression (as you call it, my DZ calls it IAF - Instructor Assisted Freefall). I think it worked very well because I was introduced slowly to the sport and wasn't overloaded (too much). BTW level 9 in IAF is your first solo jump. You also do the 4-6 hour course that AFF does and you only have one instructor when you go up as opposed to two with AFF.

Yeah it is!

I get pretty scared sometimes too, I've only just recently done my level 8 IAF jump (first no contact exit) and have been cleared for my solos. I find that on some jump runs I get very nervous. Repeating the dive flow over and over really helps me, I focus on what I need to do and that seems to distract me from the fear/anxiety. I also ride motorcycles and get the same nervous feeling (to a lesser extent) before every ride, as soon as I get on the bike (actually, normally just before) the fear goes away and I just do it. I find that when I'm sitting around waiting to jump (the student's lot it seems), lying down and relaxing, breathing deeply, and closing my eyes (often falling asleep!) really helps to calm me down. My worst jump was my third tandem, I have no idea why but I was really scared. I honestly feel that my experience dealing with some of these same issues on the motorcycle helps me when skydiving. I know I can work through it and that I'm being irrational (well, maybe irrationally over scared, but not irrational about being afraid) so I breathe and focus on the dive flow. Having said all that, I haven't done my first solo yet so I don't know how that's going to go. I've taken to watching videos online of people's jumps and I find that watching people recover from unstable situations in freefall makes me feel better too. I forgot to mention, I have an intense fear of falling (part of the reason I'm skydiving - to overcome the fear). I've snowboarded since 1998 and have found that, on a steep slope, I'm fine with my snowboard on but petrified with it off (generally I don't take it off!). Also, hiking in and out of the Grand Canyon I couldn't even watch other people stand near the edge of the cliff, let a lone do it myself! I don't get the same fear with skydiving for some reason but I certainly know the feeling that you seem to be having. Good luck, you're not alone. :)