squirrelgirl

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Everything posted by squirrelgirl

  1. squirrelgirl
    I don't think there's anything that can replace the combination of experience and time. As a total beginner, I find that I'm drawn to the advice offered by those instructors who have both. Not that any instructor is any less qualified, but this is my tendency. That said, I can't think of any sport or skill I've ever adopted that didn't improve most with both time and experience.
  2. squirrelgirl
    As a fellow sufferer of neurocardiogenic syncope, I can relate. Ultimately, a cardiologist tried me on combinations of medications to support blood pressure (Florinef is my current staple) until we found something that works. Also, salt! Your grandmother may have other health conditions that prevent the use of extra salt, but salt helps to retain water and really helps with the fainting. Especially in the heat! You are right to feel concerned about her driving. Until I was "stable" I shouldn't have been operating a car for any reason.
  3. squirrelgirl
    I did AFF alone, and I was a little nervous at first. Everyone quickly accepted me into their little "family" and I never looked back! You'll end up running into a few others who are similarly matched to your level of experience, most likely. Of course you should just go for it!
  4. squirrelgirl
    He's a long way from Cali. I hope he doesn't try to get here using I-40 any time soon, he'll end up in the desert. Great for jumping, though!
  5. squirrelgirl
    I forget some people have other "bay areas" like in Tampa. Yeah I'm in California and it is fantastic!
  6. squirrelgirl
    I'm in Oakland, and I trek out to Bay Area Skydiving. Oh, and there is no way you can ever be a worse influence than any of the guys running around at the DZ poking me in my bruises
  7. squirrelgirl
    Hi all, I've been lurking for awhile and have only just recently deemed myself certifiable enough to say hello! I'm grateful for another place to read and talk about my new sport, because everyone else I know is tired of hearing about it. I look forward to getting to know you and learning all I can possibly fit in my head about skydiving. Cheers! Erin
  8. squirrelgirl
    I am very much a noob when it comes to skydiving, so I'm no real help in regards to the leg strap issue. However, what you are describing is something similar that I went through a few years back where sudden changes in body position caused me to faint. Orthostatic hypotension is something you may be familiar with. If you lie on a couch and then jump up to, say, answer the phone, you might get black spots in your vision or briefly black out entirely. I'm unsure if you've ever fainted before (?) but seeing stars and feeling nauseated are all part of that. It sounds similar to my own hypotension issues which were easily remedied. Definitely see your doctor, posthaste! And congrats on passing your jump!