My first time

[Beckuboo 0]

Hi all! I have always wanted to try skydiving, at least once. I am in such a happy place in my life that I believed I had the courage to "just do it!"

I began asking my husband a few months prior to our scheduled vacation this year if he would like to go with me and watch. Anytime I broached the subject, he would attempt to change the subject. Finally, I decided to ask him one more time if he would like to accompany me on my adventure. He said no, that he wasn't going to go with me because I wasn't going to jump from any airplane. I decided then that I would jump without his knowledge so I worked out a plan. As it turned out, I didn't have to utilize this plan because he was unable to go on vacation with me. I did some research on the internet and made my decision on which DZ would best fit my needs, especially in relation to my vacation area. I made my reservation a few weeks prior to the week of my vacation and was set to go.

I had the most fun I believe I have ever experienced in my life. I felt so exhilarated, giddy, and liberated from my tandem jump that I don't think I could have even identified myself to anyone afterwards. There are no words in my vocab to correctly describe everything I felt and experienced. I was so happy that my two boys were able to take leave from work and be with me on this awesome trip, too! My jump occurred on July 3, 2007.

Since I have been back home, I cannot think of anything else. My mind and my dreams are always in the sky. I know that I want to experience this complete and unadulterated joy again, hopefully soon. Oh, and when my husband viewed the video, he couldn't have been prouder of me!

The closest DZ in my area is called "Tri-State Skydivers ", located in Southpoint, OH. I do plan on calling them to inquire regarding their facility, stats, etc. Does anyone know anything about their reputation? It is probably a much smaller organization than most. Also, how hard is it to trust another coach/instructor than the one who took me on my first ride?

Please bear with me - I have one more issue I need help with. The only negative aspect of my tandem jump is when the canopy opened. I expected to feel a jolt upwards but it felt like I was riding on a very fast moving train and then hit a brick wall. Shock waves went through my body and I actually felt my body go limp for just a couple of minutes, maybe not even that long. I think the leg strap on my right leg may have been the culprit. I discovered later the strap had caused some slight bruising. Is there something I could have done to prevent such a force from happening? Was my short stature (5'1" height) a reason for it to jolt me so forcefully?

Thanks in advance for any light shedding advice you may have.

[baseknut 0]

welcome to the forums, and congrats on your first jump. i have no heard alot about this specific dz. but i am sure you will get many reviews as more skydivers reply to this.

Quote

The only negative aspect of my tandem jump is when the canopy opened. I expected to feel a jolt upwards but it felt like I was riding on a very fast moving train and then hit a brick wall.

sometimes hard openings just occur, but their could have been many variables that could have caused this.

-jake

Step into my (sub)terminal Playground

[skyflychris 0]

Congratulations on your first jump !! Even if you never make another jump remember you're now one of us and welcome to the family.

Ordinary's..... just not good enough today.

[Beckuboo 0]

Thanks, Jake, for the welcome and for your input.

I know you are right and it makes sense to me. I just wish I knew what the variable in this situation was so I could adapt to it in the future. I thought, perhaps, that maybe it could have been a result of me hanging off of my instructor. In the video, he did not seem to be affected by the jolt. However, he also is the professional and may not have been affected by the force.

I didn't realize it was called hard openings, thanks for the insight!

[Beckuboo 0]

Chris, thanks for the welcome. I am planning on enrolling in a program as a student soon. I can't wait!

I browsed this site when I began my initial research but I didn't register until just a few days ago. When I began reading some of the forums, I told my husband how cool the people are in this very exciting sport! They just seem to get it when those who haven't experienced freefall can't even fathom it. "Crazy" is probably the most frequent word I have heard being described as when others hear about my adventure.

Thanks again!

[skymama 35]

Welcome to the forums!
Your bruising issue was probably just because you were in a tandem rig. I had bruising on my legs and arms when I did my tandems and then when I was on the student rig. Once I got into my own rig that fit me, the bruising stopped for the most part.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Beckuboo 0]

Thanks, SkyMama, for the info. I followed your advice and stopped by the local DZ this afternoon on my way home from church. I believe it will be a good fit for me there. Everyone was having a good time and they were very willing to share their own experiences with me.

I will be calling them soon to schedule my training classes.

I came right out and asked them if they could give me some information about a fatality that occurred there some years back. Two of my closest friends told me about it as soon as I began expressing my interest in skydiving. I felt at ease with their reply as they explained the fella did it to himself purposely. I won't go into details except to say I am comfortable now with my decision to train there.

A phone call wouldn't have provided me with the same sense of openness as actually being there.

I am not worried about bruising as much as the jolt of force upon opening. Hopefully, that was as you said, more of a result of being in a tandem rig.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!