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brnnncrzy77

Couldn't jump after AFF class

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Ok here is my story of the weekend. I went to the DZ on Saturday and did my AFF class. After the class is over our instructor tells us that the plane will not be flying that day for whatever reason and that we need to come back the next morning. Well I come back the next morning and I start getting scared as hell. Long story short is I couldn't get myself to jump. I ended up leaving. Has anyone ever had a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?


u werent flying, u were falling with style

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I just completed my first 2 AFF jumps on Sunday, so I definitely know what you are talking about. I was able to do a tandem back in June, and that gave me an idea for what I was in for.

When it came time to actually do the jump I was quite nervous, but you just have to do everything you learned in the class and you will be alright. For the half hour leading up to my first jump I pretty much just sat in silence going over all of the steps over and over in my head.

Getting prepared at the door I got pretty nervous again, but once I got into my exit routine I was so busy trying not to forget anything that I forgot about being nervous.

If you are worried and haven't done a tandem, I highly recommend doing one (though its not necessary) just to see what you are in for and to ease some of those worries. Otherwise, take your time and jump whenever you are ready.

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Being nervous or scared is expected (you are jumping out of a plane for gods sake). One thing I would recommend to you is to really become knowledgeable about the gear. The place I jump is very hands on and your first aff jump you jump your own pack job (supervised by a coach of course). When I first started packing/jumping I definitely had a large gear fear. I wasn't fully comfortable with the entire process (take off/door open/exit/canopy) until around 12 solos.

It is a leap of faith for sure. Don't feel bad that you chose not to jump. If it is something you really want to pursue discuss with your instructor what you feel uncertain about. In addition talk to licensed jumpers for their advice, they are typically very helpful to new and student jumpers. The most important thing is to relax.

Cheers
Stearny

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I dealt with it by breathing and trying to relax. I tend to visualize on what I'm doing, from opening the door, exit from the plane, freefall, and canopy.

During the beginning, I would get nervous when the door light turns on. I was told to give a huge smile which helped me relax. Once I jump out of the door, all of the nervousness went away. And as with Stearny, it took me a dozen of jumps or so to become really comfortable and relaxed.

Don't beat yourself up. Just give deep breaths and focus on the task in hand. Now get back out there and jump. :P

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Why skydive if you feel nothing at all:| To master the fear is part of what makes it interesting..

I start AFF course in 12 days.

Did 17 jumps (8 free fall) in 1993 and last weekend spent 25 minutes in wind tunnel.

I believe its necessary to make up your mind about jumping before you go up in the air. Then focus on the jump itself and at the same time relax!

With that said...I have no clue about how I am going to react when entering the door at 13000 feet...But right now I am really looking forward to do it. This time I also have 2 experienced instructors by my side..

If its not for me I will quit after a few jumps. If it is for me I already started to plan jumping in USA this autumn. Guess only time will show. But for sure I wont "force" myself to stay in this sport if it feels wrong.

Good luck with your jumps!

Greetings from another (nervous) AFF student soon to be..

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Anxiety is VERY common among jumpers. New jumpers have the most trouble with it... but I know of experienced jumpers who have had a serious dose of pre-jump jitters.

1. Relax. Do progressive relaxation with your eyes closed. Be a limp rag.

2. Visualize the jump (and your reaction to it) exactly the way you want it to go.

3. Identify any SPECIFIC concerns you have... and discuss them with your instructor. Often some focused training on that matter can help you manage your anxiety better.

4. Smile, Breathe, Relax. :)

The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

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People fear what they don't understand. I think what would help out a lot is if you reviewed the specifics of how a rig works with an instructor. Once you understand it inside and out, some stress about jumping should be relieved. If you're 100% confident in your gear, you should at least feel safe when thinking about your next jump.

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I do it everytime i decide to go jump. I over think "what i am doing" and why risk my life for a little fun. But once i get to the dz, i only focus on that day. I have made many trips to the dz, only to hang out an watch because of a uneasy feeling. Just 2weeks ago i backed out, and took my kids body flying. My advice, spend some time at the dz, understand your grear, ask ?, and build trust, after all your life is in their hands

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I rode the plane down on what was supposed to be my fifth or sixth skydive (SL). That was rather embarrassing, and temporarily shot what little confidence I had to hell.

I went back the next weekend, made my last SL (as a student), and had a great Hop-n-Pop :)
That plane ride back down was my first landing in an airplane--my first ride was my first jump.B| So, if you want it, it's just a matter of doing it.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

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Spend some time talking to/hanging with instructors and other students before you start preparing for the jump. It helps A LOT not feeling alone and out of place when you're about to do something scary.

Knowing your gear is good, but you can _definitely_ trust your instructors with making sure that your gear is safe. Don't worry about the gear, but don't hesitate to ask questions either. Breathe, relax and remember your emergency procedures. The rest is pretty much a bonus.

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Hey man, I'm new to skydiving as well and I get pretty nervous on the flight to altitude. I did my first four AFF jumps in one day and was nervous every time, same thing the next day when I finished my last three. The same day I did three fun jumps in a row (would have done more but I ran out of cash haha) As soon as you exit the fear goes away. However I feel that you should listen to your fears and use them in a way to keep your understanding of the risks of the sport fresh in your mind. Have fun and fly safe ;)

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I was really dreading my E1 last Monday after a really HARD opening on my D2 jump Sunday (ribs are still sore). I had a hard time sleeping- partly due to my ribs hurting. I got out of bed with an impending feeling of doom. I could barely eat any breakfast and I was nervous as hell on the flight up. I just kept breathing deep and rehearsing a perfect jump in my mind.

My E1 and E2 ended up going really well with the smoothest openings I've had so far. I finished the day cleared for solo jumping and really excited. I can't wait for my next jump.

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Ok here is my story of the weekend. I went to the DZ on Saturday and did my AFF class. After the class is over our instructor tells us that the plane will not be flying that day for whatever reason and that we need to come back the next morning. Well I come back the next morning and I start getting scared as hell. Long story short is I couldn't get myself to jump. I ended up leaving. Has anyone ever had a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?



Well, not exactly the same situation, but sort of similar. 2 months passed before I continued jumping (I had 7 jumps before this), and I got back to the DZ. I could not get myself to jump, I felt sick just looking at the plane. I thought I was never going to jump again. What I found helpful was watching my AFF-video, and getting pep-talks from other jumpers. I got up in the plane the next day, and it was GREAT.

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I don't know what to say...I get really nervous on some jumps and not nervous at all on others. Maybe chill a bit, watch some youtube jumps and see how you feel (I get excited) and then decide. It is a dangerous sport but that is part of the attraction...living on the edge and doing things others run from. I hope you jump again but if you do not, none of us will think badly of you. It takes a big man to back out of a jump. Good luck and God bless you.

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I got in total 12 jumps last week as an AFF student.

It was extremely painful stress before jumps and unpleasant stress in the plane up to altitude.

Once the door opens, the fresh air floats in and I feel extremely well. Like the wait is finally over and from now it is mainly concentrated and focused pleasure.

Doing a good exit, getting stable, some maneuvers and to see a flying canopy before planning a good landing is just fantastic.

I still fight the image in my head of the worst happening, kind of "why could it not be me"..

But after I learned from an experienced jumper to perform reliable checks on the rig before the jumps instead of holding and checking the gear all the way until you stand in the door, things became more calm.

Focus on safety, if something seem wrong it probably is and do not push beyond own capabilities is what I tell myself. Fly as you train and train as you fly.

Sorry for the long post.

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I rode the plane down on what was supposed to be my fifth or sixth skydive (SL). That was rather embarrassing, and temporarily shot what little confidence I had to hell.

I went back the next weekend, made my last SL (as a student), and had a great Hop-n-Pop :)
That plane ride back down was my first landing in an airplane--my first ride was my first jump.B| So, if you want it, it's just a matter of doing it.



My first jump was a static-line, and of my entire class (about 20 people) I was the first student out of the first plane for the day. No opportunity to "see it done from the ground" before I get to do it. Great.

So they put the first two students in the plane (running), and the JM turns around and grabs my arm and escorts me to the step/door.

I have a bunch of time in small aircraft, 172s, 182s, etc, but this 182 is looking like a frakking sardine can with 2 students and the pilot in it already, and now we're gonna shove my fat ass and the JM in? Holy Christ, Bernoulli better be working overtime on this one.

Then, the whole way up to 3k, I'm looking at the arrangement going "OK, if I chicken out, how can everybody else get out of the plane without us having to land?" And of course the answer is "They can't." I'm the cork in the bottle, so to speak. So if I reject in the door, they gotta land to offload me, and I'm gonna look like a gigantic pussy in front of my girlfriend, my dad, my fellow students.

So, I did what any red-blooded American male does: I jumped :)
NIN
D-19617, AFF-I '19

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Well that's it man....these guys tell you right. So far I've seen one guy kicked off the step, heard one girl freak out in the door, I myself have hesitated a second or two, and heard a friend of mine totally freaked and refused to jump but was "helped" to the door by the JM. That's part of the thrill though....I actuallly want to be scared since overcoming that adds to the excitement. Keep after it....you'll get there.

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I always think of some silly line from a stephen segal movie, "anticipation of death is worse than death itself"

The first time I was defiantly nervous, I was jumping from a twin otter but with 2 instructors they basically go and you don't really have the strength to fight them, i'm sure i hesitated but they just pull you, so the hard part is getting in the plane.

My second jump was from a cessna where you have to hold onto the wing strut and stand on the landing gear, climbing out was tough but once I was there, there were not really any good alternatives although I did "check-in" a few times.

I'm about to do my level 6 jump this week. The thing that always gets me is how fast they get me into the plane after I arrive at the DZ, in my head I feel like I need some time to process that i'm here and its going to happen before just hoping in the plane when the engine of my car is still warm, I'm sure the more experienced I get this will be a luxury to get in the air so fast.

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