My alti really did break

[Michele 1]

I sit there, looking at carpet swatches and paint chips, and files waiting for my attention. My office is stifling, and I look at all these people who think I am crazy, so I decide to prove it to them. It's time to go solo. Of course, I had thought I may decide to go today, so I had a bag with shorts and a t-shirt and my nikes in the car. Fill the water bottle, turn off my pager, and out the doors I go.
I get my car, and cruise down to Perris. I notice all the exits, and for the first time it occurs to me that each exit is a way to go home, that each time I pass an exit, I choose to keep going to Perris. There is a great deal of thought I put into that, because I keep trying to get off the freeway, just turn around and go home. I keep signalling right, and moving over, thinking, "I'll just turn around, no-one will know, I can do this another day" but I know that the longer I put my solo off, the harder it will be to actually do it. I put my head onto auto-pilot, turn up the stereo so I can't hear myself think, and make it to Perris by 2:20.
Walking through the dz is really odd; very few people, and I am in heels and a skirt/sweater. No-one's at the school, so I decide to sort of hang out, and wait for a bit to see if I can, in fact, reign in these thoughts long enough to get my head out of my....to think clearly. Not working, and now I am hyperventilating. I try to figure out what I am tripping for. It's not like I haven't jumped out of a plane before - this is jump 11, for pete's sake. I have left the plane now four times without someone holding on, I know how to pull the handles, what am I expecting, for christ's sake. So, what - I spin. Well, I know how to correct that. So I tumble on exit - I know about that, too. Hey, maybe the chute won't open....yeah, well, that's the chance I take. My stomach is in knots, my brain in a worse tangle, and I have this shaking thing going on. I change into my cooler clothes, but I have to tie my shoes three times, because I keep shaking and screwing it up. I've been tying my shoes since I was like 4 - this is the stupidest thing I have ever encountered.
I haven't had a fear-free moment since I left my office, but I get into the school and get the gear rented and the jump ticket bought. I look at this little thing in my hand, amazed that I could actually buy it, and wondering if I will use it. Before I lose my nerve, I run out the door, leap down the steps because I have to do something, and get out to manifest and hand him my ticket. I tell the guy I am pulling at 4,500, and that it's my first solo. He just kind of looks at me, and says "you'll be fine. Relax". REEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXXXXXX my head screams, so I nod, and agree. Yeah, right. My heart is pounding now, and I still have 40 minutes before I get on the plane. I wonder what a heart attack feels like, and think about how long my heart can beat this hard before I pass out. I can see the beating making my shirt move.
I braid my hair, and get my gear all ready. I talk to Vinnie, who's there repacking a reserve on the tandem. We talk, about everything and anything; he knows it's my first solo, and we're just making conversation. ZClubber walks in, blue-eyed and smiling, and takes one look at me and knows that I am lost. But we both know that there is nothing he can do for me. He goes and gets ready, because there's still time for him to get on the plane with me. Laura the regular school packer finally chases me from the hot sanctuary, and makes me go put on my gear. I do a gear check, and then, for the first time, I can't even get the chute on my back. I get my arms all twisted, so I shrug it off and check the handles again. Finally I get all suited up, get the rig on and tight, alti's on my wrist and set at zero, helmet and goggles in my hand. I walk over to Vinnie so he can check my gear, and he asks me "did you forget anything" and I say sure. He says what, and I say I don't know. He turns on my cypress for me, and sends me down to the loading area.
I stand in the loading area, breathing hard. Sweat pours down my face, my hands are wet, my hair already looks like I have been in freefall. I have tunnel vision, and I turn my back on the plane. I just can't look. I am so not wanting to get in that plane. I don't want to do this, won't someone come with me? Please? Someone? Anyone? I seriously think about hiring a vid guy, just so someone is in the air with me, but that's cheating. That's putting off the inevitable, that's just not fair. So I reach over and tap Zclubber, hoping he can solve my panic. I can't get my feet to move, I hold onto my hackey, and now it's time to get on board, and we walk over to the plane, I am pulling highest, so I am last out, and first in, and I sit, and buckle in, and try to breathe. Which is nearly impossible. I have the worst dry mouth I have ever experienced, and I think I can still get off, but there are too many people on the plane, I would have to crawl over all of them, and that is worse than having to jump alone. And now it's too late, we're moving, and we're in the air, and Gena across from me reminds me to breathe. And I find that I can't.
I am watching my alti, and it seems as if we are getting up there pretty quickly. We're at like 7 now, but I catch a glimpse of Zclubber's alti. His is at less than 6. I grab his hand, and get a good look at it. Yeah, it's different than mine. I look over at Gena's and her's matches Zclubber's. I nudge the guy next to me, and his matches everyone's but mine. I look at him. What do I do? And I think he says "ride it down". I nod, and lean over to Rob the pilot, and Zclubber taps me, and tells me "he said do it now". So I set it according to the other ones, but I am still really concerned. I have no real idea what things look like at certain altitudes. I am really struggling to get air, really trying to not burst into tears, not pee in my pants. I have to do this, I know I have to do this, and I decide to pull really high because who knows what this thing will do in the air. I feel the pressure behind my eyes, I know I am dripping sweat.
It's jump run, the light goes green, and so does my face. I watch all these guys get out - so easy, so free, so relaxed... and then Zclubber is at the door, and the pilot tells me he's going to take me around again, so I can take my time getting out. Zclubber waves at me, goes out, and now the plane is huge, and bright, and empty, and it's my turn next, and I can't think, and I want to go home. I look at my alti, and while the plane has not gone higher, it now reads 14,000. Well, that's useless. The little green light goes on again, and I inch over to the door. And I stare at it. And I see my hands reach out, and grab the bar, and then I am lifting myself out, and I look over the top, and I let go.
Fuck that hurt, what the hell was that? Ow shit. As my arm whacks the side of the door. O.K., I think, next time I will let go with both hands at the same moment. I am falling, straight down, feet first, and I arch. I am out, I know what to do, I know how to do it, so I get to work. I am not spinning, I am stable, I go ahead and do a few turns, 180's and 360's. Everything goes well, uneventful, easy. I am so proud of myself. I turn so nice, and stop when I want to. I track, then automatically check my alti - it's down near 9, but if it read 14 when I left the plane, that means it's like really 7, I can't do math at this altitude, so I look down. I am dropping right over the landing area, it's great, I have no idea about altitude because this thing has really lost all trustworthiness, so I decide to pull. There's a hesitation, hello, where are you, c'mon, long enough for me to really wonder for the first time if it is going to open.....and there it goes. And my arm really hurts.
The canopy ride is fun, but I can't tell how high I am. My alti has decided to find Jesus now, and is much lower than I am. I see Zclubber in the air far below me, and my alti is reading 800 feet and I know I am way higher than that. I am on my own, no real clue, but I know I can't see people yet. I decide to play it safe, and circle in place, spiral a little, and now I think to get into the wind and just land safely, no matter where I am. I do, and it is not a perfect landing, really overshoot the student area, and I flare a little early, and get one foot on the ground then the other knee, but I am down in one piece and it's all good.
When do I start having fun? When will the damned fear go away, or at least slow down? I know how much fun it can be, I have felt it overwhelm me and take charge, that joy, that freedom. It was not present today, and I wonder when, or even if, it will ever come. Maybe next time. Which is probably Sunday.
Ciel bleu-
Michele

[Albatross 0]

Sweety,
FIrst of all remember to ZERO the altimeter at the ground and then check at pull altitude on the ride up. It seems that some altimeters have little gliches and read high or low a few hundred feet, if it is more than that take it back. As for the fear that is an individual thing. I don't think that I had fear durning my solos but almost freaked the first time that I did RW with a group of 10. You can relax and that will come as you get comfortable. The best advice is make multiple jumps in the same day. The first is always the most anxious. If it doesn't go away after a few more solos jump with Skydiver U and then you will have friend. Get that A and I will be happy to jump with you. See you soon.
Flare Damn it!!!!!
Albatross

[DZBone 0]

Quote

When do I start having fun?

Whaddya mean? It sounds like all the parts were there: planes, altitude (some extra), freefall, canopy ride, landing safe, friends around.
Yup, that's skydiving! How could it not be fun?
Tell me this wasn't more fun than sitting in the office listening to people complain about some bullshit, or driving on the freeway, getting cut off by some dissociated asshole, or anything else you could have done this afternoon?
Think of the poor rest of us who didn't jump today!
Who had more fun, hmmmmmmmmmm?
Seriously, it gets better. Try to start doing a few jumps a day, getting into the routine, starting to think beyond just getting through it, and starting to reach goals and improving your skills.
Soon you will feel more at ease in freefall than anywhere else you can be. Especially the ride to the dz and the ride to altitude.

[Michele 1]

Hi, Albi.
Yeah, but I did that. That's part of my gear check. And if it were just a few hundred feet, it wouldn't have bothered me, but more than 1k? It was fine on the ground. Oh, well, such as it goes......
DZ- you're right, I likely would have thrown stale coffee at my broker just to liven things up there. Guess this was a better choice.
ciel bleu-
Michele

[Viking 0]

you lucky SOB you got to jump today how cool is that i had to stay home and run arands for my mom and help my gramps use the john including one tense moment when he almost fell and sat on my leg instead. if i hadn't have been where i was he would have fallen for sure. man its gonna be hard this next year
anyway CONGRATS on your first solo Remember when Sex was safe and skydiving was Dangerous?

[ClayFowler 0]

The fun will come as your confidence builds. I would have been a little apprehensive without an altimeter. That's were visual clue's come in. Now, I would just wait until I could read people's T-shirts on the drop zone....then wait 3 seconds and dump.....LOL
"So, just tell me nothins wrong, get undressed and spend the night!"-Eve 6
Clay

[rainman 0]

It's scary when your alti stops 'altiing'. You did very well, congratulations on your first solo, and I'm quite sure the next one will be even better!!!
My alti died on my first AFF jump....it was fine on the way up, then it stopped at about 8k on the way down. Fortunately I had two great JMs to save my life (I am taught not to trust my AAD ). Fortunately the opening shock inspired the alti to work again, so my landing was relatively easy. They didn't even give me any crap about not pulling at 5.5. I was so unbelievably mad when I landed. I had wanted to do AFF for at least ten years and then I screw it all up.....I can't tell you how happy I was when one of my JM's took the altimeter up for a ride and he told me that it was indeed broken!
I so recognize this threshold you needed to overcome! When I was driving to the DZ for my first solo, two weeks after graduating from lvl 7, I actually stopped to take a short walk in the woods, and I almost turned back then. If I had, I doubt I would have ever jumped again. Now I can't imagine not jumping.....
Please continue jumping, and writing about your jumps!
Ramon

[zclubber1 0]

No shit, she was FREAKED! People always say to remember to breathe, but I thought they meant to not hyperventilate and remember to take long, deep beaths. Michele wasn't breathing short breaths. She wasn't breathing at all!! But she did GREAT!!!
I was a little spooked myself on the ride up. On my last jump on Sunday, my left leg strap loosened all the way to the last 2 inches when I dumped. Damn chest strap was choking me and I could barely reach the toggles. I honestly thought I was going to fall out of the damn thing. So needless to say, I tightened the hell out of those straps yesterday.
But because Michele was as scared as she was, I didn't want to make it worse by bringing it up. She needed more support than I did. I was trying so hard to make her smile, I didn't even think about my fear. Just hopped in the door, waved and went.
I've said it 6,728 times already for every one of your jumps, Michele, but I'll say it again. Good job and right on!!! Just like every other fear you've overcome since you started jumping, now you know you can do this too. Every time a fear pops up, smack it down and trust your ability. You know what you're doing.
Keep it up!!!!
-can't you trip like I do-
Clubber

[SkyDekker 1,121]

I am soooo jealous. I am doing static line progression, have done two jumps so far and can't wait to have my first little bit of freefall. Even just a little one, like 5 seconds. Hopefully if Monday turns out to be a nice day up here in Canada, I will be able to and get three jumps in. I can't wait

• Quote

[TALONSKY 0]

Hi Michele:
I love reading your post, you really should look into being a writer for some magazine. As for the fear thing , it may take a while but it will go away for me right around my 25 th jump it went a way. I mean every once in great while a thought of fear may bleep though my head for a second but it does not stay. I have 175 jumps and even the low altitude 2200 hop-n-pops do not scare me any more. As for fun just RELAX and trust yourself and the equipment.
Blue skies
Kirk

[SpeedRacer 1]

Sucks about the altimeter.
Twice my altimeter has been way off. Other times it works great. I don't understand why.
The first time it happened it was because I adjusted it to match other people's altimeters during the ride to altitude. That doesn't seem to work, it just screw up the altimeter more. I was doing a four way with other people and I broke off at what my altimeter said was 4K, and actually it was more like 5K. I realized as I was under canopy that I was way higher than the altimeter said I was. After I landed my altimeter said I was at almost 1000 feet BELOW sea level!
Never adjust your altimeter after you leave the ground.
-----------------------------------
I guess as someone pointed out before, the fear thing is personal & unique for everyone. Personally, I was relieved when I was off student status & could go out by myself. It meant that I could just get out there and relax and do what I want, without worrying about being evaluated. But it would have sucked to have to worry about a bad altimeter on my first solo.
Speed Racer
"I think I think, therefore, I think I am, I think!"

[ClayFowler 0]

Do not adjust your Alti on the way up! Being off on the way up is pretty "normal" Zero it on the ground and then leave it alone. Dont tap it, adjust it, or screw with it in any other way. Thats only asking for trouble. If it seems off during your descent go to the back up. I.E. visual clues such as #1 other canopies (if you are looking up at a large # of canopies you should probably pull), the whirling planet below you. If you can see individual blades of grass you should probably pull. If you find yourself checking out the center fold of the porn mag that guy is reading in front of the hangar........I'd probably pull.. LMAO
"So, just tell me nothins wrong, get undressed and spend the night!"-Eve 6
Clay

[dove 0]

MICHELE!!!!!!!! Fear?!?!?!?!?! What are you talking about?!?!?!?! Girl, you just jumped out of a plane from a few miles up with virtually no indicator of your altitude on your FIRST solo!!!!! I think you have the fear thing conquered! When do you start having fun? RIGHT NOW!!! Go jump - I absolutely guarantee you will have a blast! I am so excited for you! Have fun!
Elisa

[freaksister 0]

I always find it interesting to note how differently AFF and S/L make new jumpers feel about things. AFFers are often afraid of their first solos and their first hop-n-pops. S/Lers are afraid of their first jumps WITH JMs in the sky with them!! hehe...
Personally, I was relieved to be back on solos after my student jumps with JMs because then I didn't have people to see me screw up! I did way too many solos after graduating and didn't learn much. I was tense about jumping with other people...you know, things to run into, people to track away from, etc. But now its all good. It just takes TIME and JUMPS. That is what will take care of your fear. Not us, not a magic wand and an instructor saying "POOF!" but JUMPIN'! Keep at it...
Good job handling the altimeter thing.
Sis
Before you judge me, take a look at you...

[sinister69 0]

hey hon, I will try to be out there sunday for you. Also since I just bought a brand new alti 3 and have only used it once, and won't be able to use it for a long time, you can borrow it from me. Private message me and let me know when you will be there. Also anyone else from going out to Perris this sunday? yall can sign my cast.
Blue Skies!
Sinister69
http://home.pacbell.net/n1elson1

[Michele 1]

Dove:

Quote

you just jumped out of a plane from a few miles up with virtually no
indicator of your altitude on your FIRST solo!!!!!

Well, when you put it that way.....lol...I am doing this thing a little atypically, aren't I?
Thanks, guys. You know I appreciate the support. This has been, and continues to be, one hell of an adventure. So much to learn, not just about flying, but about myself. About what we can do if we set our minds to it, what we can challenge, and what we can accomplish.
I didn't put in my post that once I landed, and took the alti to Vinnie, he gently chewed me out for a while, and then Dennis not-so-gently chewed out me for a while. That shook my head, let me tell you. Of course, the whole day shook my head. But not for long - I am looking forward to getting in 2 - yes, 2 - jumps on Sunday....hopefully much less eventful than yesterday.
(Now, if I can only remember to actually breathe, I'll be fine...)
Sis, I figured out why I have been concerned about hop n pops. It has to do with getting stable immediately. This is not something I am really good at, and has been a concern everytime I get on the plane. What if there's an emergency, and I have to get out, get stable, and pull all in like 1 second? So I am trying to concentrate on how to get stable immediately from the plane. Once I can do that easily (or at least regularly), I will schedule some h/p and get that under my belt.
Oh, and I got a "happy graduation" cake at my office today from my broker and some co-workers. For whuffo's, they're pretty o.k...but they won't come jumping with me. Yet.
Thanks, guys, you are all so excellent!
ciel bleu-
Michele

[freaksister 0]

Michele, everyone I have talked to that is afraid of them seems to feel that way about hop-n-pops. It is the fear of jumping out so "low" and being stable or having a mal. Its not bad though. I personally prefer like a five or ten second delay...but a h-n-p is OK.
Sis
Before you judge me, take a look at you...

[outthere 0]

Quote

I figured out why I have been concerned about hop n pops. It has to do with getting stable immediately. This is not something I am really good at, and has been a concern everytime I get on the plane.

Yeah I know what you mean - that's why I have been putting it off to, but from what i am hearing getting stable from a Cessna (don't know if that's what you use for your h-n-p or not) is a lot easier than a lot of other planes - so if I can get them to put the Cessna up this weekend then what the hell it's time to do it
e

[mgaillar 0]

As mentioned in an earlier post, I start my AFF progression tomorrow morning. This morning I read your post. This evening, I am reading the ISP section of the SIM.
Category A: First Jump Course Outline
Section A.3 - The alti indicates altitude in thousands of feet from the ground.
Section A.3.c - sometimes fails.
I immediately thought of your post. From your post and others responding, I like to think I have better understanding of what I will need to learn (and do) should I experience a failed alti.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I'm off to dream about FLYING!
Matt

[skymedic 0]

Quote

from what i am hearing getting stable from a Cessna (don't know if that's what you use for your h-n-p or not) is a lot easier than a lot of other planes

It is just as easy to get stable out of any type of plane(except the 727) as long as you arch good and present to the wind...
Marc
Did somebody call a medic

[Albatross 0]

I remember when I was doing my "novice" jumps with Skydiver U and still having the problem of stability on exit. It took some time and focusing on presenting properly and then arching like a son of a B. Then I started doing a lot of 4+ ways and suddenly the problem was gone. I guess that you need to develop a feel like most things in skydiving.
Hell if Luigi can hang off the step for like 15 sec then drop off in a perfect sit I think that we can learn to get out stable in the first 100'. Love Ya babe.
Flare Damn it!!!!!
Albatross

[Michele 1]

Quote

Hell if Luigi can hang off the step for like 15 sec then drop off in a
perfect sit I think that we can learn to get out stable in the first 100'.

Well, maybe in the first 500' for now. I wouldn't even go near the door to watch Luigi and the gang do that. They slid out the door on their bellies....

Quote

Love Ya babe.

you flirt you.....
ciel bleu-
Michele

[skyhawk 2]

hop and pops are fun just remember even if you are getting out at 4 its not the same as 4 from higher up you are not near terminal and it will take 10 sec to get to 3 instead of 5 (approx)

[Hardcore 0]

Cool another Canadian, know what you mean I started IAD back in I believe 94 or 92, boy have times changed.
Was anxious to get into freefall, very nervous about pulling my own pilot chute the first time. Quite confident afterwards shit, that was not bad at all. Think I was being too over analytical about myself.
Boy the first freefall felt wonderful, I remember thinking, wow" I am truly flying". Well then when I was ready for the next step flying with other people I thought everybody looked so funny, like cartoon characters, LoL
What a ride!
"The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams".

[Hardcore 0]

It'll all happen just give it some time and maybe you would feel more comfortable jumping in the morning when you fresh if you have the time.
I used to try jumping after a 2:30 shift, we would end up at the dz late afternoon, kinda tired after a day of work, winds would pick up.
It's normal to feel a little nervous and tense at the beginning. Just trust in your instincts and get used to eyeballing the ground sounds like your biological clock has already kicked in.
As one skydiver has reminded me, altimeters and ditters are mechanical they can break down, you're eyes wont fail you.
Time to go to bed.
"The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams".