NotBond

This is interesting. As a total newbie, I was astounded with the FIVE pages of waivers I had to initial. In case of an accident, I can't even pronounce the name of the DZ now! It's a sad state, really. Too many people think litigation is a get-rich-quick thing, and many lawyers encourage that mindset. In my mind, if I do something stupid, because I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO THE INTRUCTOR, and break my body, well, that's my own damn fault. No swense punishing the DZ because I was a moron. But, I think I'm in the minority with that way of thinking. Now, if the DZ staff screwed up, that changes things a bit. But still, does it make sense to sue them into oblivion? Get your medical and lost wages paid and move on! Taking them for everything they got only shuts them down for everyone, or contributes to higher fees. Just my .02 Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Well you ARE suppose to fall out...if you don't, you don't skydive. *** Yeah, but I had a real issue afterwards with the door. Finally put things in perspective, that helped a lot (at least on the ground!) It's interesting the change you feel when you decide to do this - kind of confidence inspiring! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Signed up for my Level 2 Tandem yesterday. Jump is Sunday at Sky Knights. Can't wait! I'm really going to try to be more than cargo this time. I know what to expect, the door isn't bothering me to much since I realized you're supposed to fall out, and I'm really looking forward to some canopy control. Was offered the toggles the first time, but couldn't do it - brain lock, I guess. My wife thinks I'm nuts........so I'm still par for the course! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Similar story here, first tandem was overload, so I didn't really have what most would call "fun" - but planning my second jump soon - and plan to participate a lot more this time! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

I'm sure this is a stupid question, but why don't people get smacked by the horitzontal stabilizer (tail) of the airplane upon exit? Especially in a small one like a Cessna, where you're hanging onto a strut? Is it because you're falling DOWN faster than you lose forward momentum from the airflow? Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

I understand completely. As an avid hovercrafter, people look at me strangely, and the wife thinks I'm off center. I have hover friends who do nothing but discuss that sport with talk about prop tip speed, cushion inflation pressure, etc. Skydiving is just another chapter. As long as you don't become a skydiver preacher, (or hovercraft, for that matter), who's duty it is to educate all the non-believing heathens, you should be fine. Or maybe just thought of as "eccentric"... Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

N/A

Ok, I guess I'm about to join the rest of you folks. Can't put it off any longer - I wanna jump more! So, a few questions - I have one tandem. Should I do another, static line, or AFF? My local DZ (anyone from Sky Knights, East Troy, Wis, USA here?) specifies a certain maximum time between student jumps - 30 days requires a safety review, 60 days requires repeat of last level, I believe. Is this particular to them, or a USPA rule? I know equipment is included during training, but after one gets thier lisence, what is the average cost of equipment and plane for jumps? I'm sure other questions will follow....

Everyone needs a hobby.... Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

I guess I'm lucky...or special Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

May I suggest a custom wooden gift, such as a pen? They are pretty stylish, and useful. A couple VP's in my hospital have them... http://www.penworksplus.com/gifts/ Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Does anyone use the chat except for Wednesdays? Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

As I posted before, my first tandem was last Sunday. Fear seemed to be the overriding emotion. Swore I'd never do it again. You couldn't give me a big enough bag of money to get me up there again. I've been obsessing with the exit portion - watching videos, and constantly going over the whole scary part over and over again. "There's no lip, nothing to hang on to, it's 2 1/2 miles straight down, what keeps you from falling out of the plane..........." Duh. That's what you're SUPPOSED to do! The light clicked on, and I felt nearly ALL of the "door fear" drain away. If I fell out, what would happen? The chute would open, and I would drift to the ground - just like the LAST time! Then I found myself figuring out how to beat the nausea, and realized I wouldn't be thinking this if I didn't plan on jumping again..... What have I done? Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

That's an interesting take. Everywhere you read it adrenaline, adrenaline, adrenaline. I don't remember any adrenaline "rush".. Fear, then calm (maybe shock?!). Canopy time was very calm and peaceful - if the dang nausea hadn't hit, it would have been great! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Thanks for the welcome! I think I'm still processing - jump was last Sunday. But as the days go by, it becomes easier and easier to say "Maybe I'll try that again. After all, the hard part was only that 20 seconds at the door..." Not sure yet, but not ruling it out, either. So who is a skydiver defined as - one jump per year, per month, or total addict that lives on the plane? Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne

Hello all, brand new 47 yo jumper here. Trying to figure some things out so I thought I would go to the experts. The idea of jumping was on the "bucket list" - things I always wanted to do. This one was a bit difficult, though - I have a pretty good fear of heights, and am prone to motion sickness (great combo for skydiving, right?). But, wanted to face my fears..... Went for a tandem jump. Kinda nervous on the ground. Plane ride up was great - loved it. We leveled off at 7500 to let some jumpers out. When they rolled up the door and I SAW the NOTHINGNESS outside, I had the "What the "H" an I doing?" moment. But, too late now... 14,500 ft. Door goes up. I scuffle forward on my knees to the EDGE OF THE DOOR! Look straight down for three miles...brain must have locked up here. Absolutely, Stupendously Terrifying. And we're supposed to roll out into thaaaaaaaat.... Free fall. Instructor had to pull my locked arms from my chest. Wind, some light rain. Videographer right in front of me. Smile for the camera - is he kidding?! Very little impressions here. No adrenalin rush. Just wind and noise. Chute opens (wow, is that a jolt!). Now hanging from harness, floating down. Interesting view....brain still locked, I think. Nausea starts here, especially with tight spins, but keep things down (and yes, I DID take Bonine beforehand!). Landing was great, no worries. Would I go again, I am asked...I don't think so, I reply. But now, I'm not so sure. There was no adrenaline rush, all in all, (except for the DOOR part), it was kinda anti-climactic. But, I find myself obsessing about the "exiting the aircraft" portion - nothing else. So, I'm asking you veterans - am I nuts? Was fear obscuring everything else for me? Should I do another tandem, now that I know what to expect? It's almost as if I'm not satisfied with how I faced my own fears - does any of this make sense? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks! Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyways... - John Wayne