Namowal 0 #1 July 18, 2011 From I've read (I'm quite the noob here) it seems that this sport demands keen awareness as to what's going on in the moment (altitude, body position, avoiding collisions, wind direction, steering, landing on target, flaring, when to cut away etc..). Do you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities? For example, do you feel you're more likely to spot potential danger on the road or even walking down the street (I hear muggers prefer surprising preoccupied victims?) Just curious. p.s. I couldn't find this through the search but if it's been covered before, a link would be appreciated. Thanks!My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #2 July 18, 2011 I tried PLF-ing while gardening once and ended up on back in the rose bush's,,,,so the answer is , No....smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peek 20 #3 July 18, 2011 Quote From I've read it seems that this sport demands keen awareness as to what's going on in the moment ... Do you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities? For example, do you feel you're more likely to spot potential danger on the road or even walking down the street... I would like to think so... But then, maybe I'm just getting more scared as I get older, and pay more attention to dangerous stuff. Actually, I think it works both ways. Yes, to your question, and also, I have found that people I have trained as student skydivers that are in professions like the military, law enforcement, emergency and health services, and in other potentially dangerous jobs, pay close attention to the dangers in skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 July 18, 2011 IMO, no. It's mindset that keeps you safe no matter what you are doing. If you don't have the safety mindset, no activity is going to provide it for you. It comes from within. Lots of skilled bozos out there in the sky...and on the road. Keep and eye out for them.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #5 July 18, 2011 QuoteFrom I've read (I'm quite the noob here) it seems that this sport demands keen awareness as to what's going on in the moment (altitude, body position, avoiding collisions, wind direction, steering, landing on target, flaring, when to cut away etc..). Do you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities? For example, do you feel you're more likely to spot potential danger on the road or even walking down the street (I hear muggers prefer surprising preoccupied victims?) Just curious. The bad news is, as many have already said, no. Learning to skydive won't turn you into Jason Bourne. The good news is that realizing there's a relationship between the awareness of what you're doing and what's happening around you needed in the air to be a good skydiver and the similar awareness needed on the road to be a good driver is, itself, an example of good self-awareness.* * Note: Yes, I'm aware this sentence is awkward. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghostlybadge 0 #6 July 18, 2011 I have found that when I am driving my heart no longer goes crazy and i dont get pumped full of addrenalin when a car cuts me up or the car in front slams the break on Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveJack 1 #7 July 18, 2011 I make the claim that my skydiving skills saved my life. A long time ago, at a construction job, I fell off the top of a set of portable bleachers that were folded up. It was 22 feet from the top to the concrete floor. I went off sideways and time slowed down. I focused on getting my feet below me by grabbing the folded up rows of bleachers as I was on the way down. As my legs swung below me I got my feet and knees together and prepared for a PLF. I hit, rolled and laid there surprised that I wasn’t screaming in pain. I had a slightly twisted ankle. The foreman saw me fall and ran over as I got up and walked it off. The best part of it was that he sent me home and assured me I would get paid for the full day. I got in my car and drove to the DZ and made a few jumps! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerseyShawn 0 #8 July 18, 2011 QuoteDo you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities?Quote I think it may be the other way around to a degree, for me. Your skill level of thinking logically and quick in stressful situations on the ground will prove you to be better in the sky. This is one reason why I feel in love with jumping. For example, on the ground, I do a lot of skateboarding and mountain biking. I bomb hills on both, jump down stairs and ledges. I have a split second decision whether or not to bail at the last second of landing something cleanly (hopefully) or to know Im going to mess up and get hurt (the point where I bail out and roll out of my fall). I have to be constantly thinking ahead and thinking in the moment at the same time. I adapt that to skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 2,683 #9 July 19, 2011 In general, no. Specifically, though, the ability to PLF can save you from a lot of injuries. It's not something most people ever learn or practice. Amy (orthopedic surgeon) is of the opinion that if we taught this to more people we'd see fewer broken hips, arms etc in older people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Calvin19 0 #10 July 19, 2011 I would say no, it does not make anything but similar sports much "safer" HOWEVER, I would venture to say that learning and/or doing ANYTHING active that involves some amount of skill improves the ability to learn and do all other active things. -SPACE- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SansSuit 1 #11 July 19, 2011 QuoteThe best part of it was that he sent me home and assured me I would get paid for the full day. I got in my car and drove to the DZ and made a few jumps! Well played, sir. Well played. Certainly, any life-saving skill you learn, be it skydiving or anything else, will help keep you safer in general. Concepts you learn in the sport like situational awareness, priorities, defensive flying, can all help you in real-life situations. Like you say, it may not make you super-anything but they can help safe your ass someday.Peace, -Dawson. http://www.SansSuit.com The Society for the Advancement of Naked Skydiving Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jrjny 0 #12 July 19, 2011 I don't know but I feel calmer and I do drive slower now. Can't say correlation or causation but definitely an observation. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Airman1270 0 #13 July 19, 2011 The ability to assess a situation and recognize various potential outcomes is a valuable survival skill, no matter what activity one might be engaged in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Divalent 104 #14 July 19, 2011 QuoteThe ability to assess a situation and recognize various potential outcomes is a valuable survival skill, no matter what activity one might be engaged in. The question is, does skydiving help you develop and hone that ability (to a degree where it is helpful outside the sport)? Or is it a self selection thing, where people who take up and do well in skydiving do so because they had those general skills to begin with? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites k-dubjumps 0 #15 July 19, 2011 Anytime I fall down I PLF and never put my arms out. It has come in handy those times I may have misjudged where my bar stool actually was. Adrenaline is my crack DPH #3 D.S. #16 FAG #12 Muff Brother #4406 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GreenLight 6 #16 July 19, 2011 Quote Anytime I fall down I PLF and never put my arms out. It has come in handy those times I may have misjudged where my bar stool actually was. Agreed. I learned to hit the ground rolling in martial arts and it became quite helpful when falling off things during play and at work. Learned to PLF in skydiving which was pretty much the same thing. HOWEVER.... I found that I made my bed much prettier in the mornings, and folding up my work tarps became a lot easier after learning how to pack my parachute. Any time I'm folding up a tarp I think about packing my parachute LOL...Green Light "Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites charlie5 0 #17 July 19, 2011 I would say playing computer games since I was a youngin' have done more for my hand-eye than anything else.The feather butts bounce off ya like raindrops hitting a battle-star when they come in too fast...kinda funny to watch. - airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Fast 0 #18 July 20, 2011 QuoteFrom I've read (I'm quite the noob here) it seems that this sport demands keen awareness as to what's going on in the moment (altitude, body position, avoiding collisions, wind direction, steering, landing on target, flaring, when to cut away etc..). Do you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities? For example, do you feel you're more likely to spot potential danger on the road or even walking down the street (I hear muggers prefer surprising preoccupied victims?) Just curious. p.s. I couldn't find this through the search but if it's been covered before, a link would be appreciated. Thanks!. I never used to be able to figure out how people rolled slippery ass sleeping bags up before. The damn strings on the end of those things never were long enough. Now that doesn't seem to be a problem any more. I think my overall awareness level has increased in things in general. I don't know that ther eis much that i could directly relate, but just general response time and things like that.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites devildog 0 #19 July 20, 2011 I hydroplaned last week on the interstate, ended up off road mostly scratch less, thankfully. During my spins, I did have the urge to cutaway and pull my reserve :)You stop breathing for a few minutes and everyone jumps to conclusions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rehmwa 2 #20 July 20, 2011 any newbie will tell you skydiving is composed of the greatest and most giving people on earth you can leave $10,000 in cash lying around at the DZ and it won't be touched - ever we're a super close family from all over and you crash in anyone's camper without asking it makes you more attractive it gives you superman-like reflexes it gives you 6 pack abs it makes you a better driver you smell better your parents are proud of you more than the others of course - old timers will tell you that it's just another sport and don't get so caught up in the fact that it makes you feel good from the endorphins of course - which will you believe? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites champu 1 #21 July 21, 2011 Quote"you smell better" -no one, ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnMitchell 16 #22 July 21, 2011 Quote In general, no. Specifically, though, the ability to PLF can save you from a lot of injuries. It's not something most people ever learn or practice. Amy (orthopedic surgeon) is of the opinion that if we taught this to more people we'd see fewer broken hips, arms etc in older people. I've often said we should teach PLF's in grade school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Namowal 0 #23 July 21, 2011 Quote any newbie will tell you skydiving is composed of the greatest and most giving people on earth you can leave $10,000 in cash lying around at the DZ and it won't be touched - ever we're a super close family from all over and you crash in anyone's camper without asking it makes you more attractive it gives you superman-like reflexes it gives you 6 pack abs it makes you a better driver you smell better your parents are proud of you more than the others And here I thought that voodoo only applied to Burning Man My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pinkfairy 0 #24 July 22, 2011 No, I drive too fast, and I'm not safe around stairs and electric tools. Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EOCS 0 #25 July 23, 2011 I don tknow about safer but i have noticed that my reactions have gotten a bit quicker EG: catch the beer before it spills ect. Although before skydiving i had no fear of flying at all but now have a slight worry in the back of my head when flying cause i dont have a parachute with me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
billvon 2,683 #9 July 19, 2011 In general, no. Specifically, though, the ability to PLF can save you from a lot of injuries. It's not something most people ever learn or practice. Amy (orthopedic surgeon) is of the opinion that if we taught this to more people we'd see fewer broken hips, arms etc in older people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calvin19 0 #10 July 19, 2011 I would say no, it does not make anything but similar sports much "safer" HOWEVER, I would venture to say that learning and/or doing ANYTHING active that involves some amount of skill improves the ability to learn and do all other active things. -SPACE- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SansSuit 1 #11 July 19, 2011 QuoteThe best part of it was that he sent me home and assured me I would get paid for the full day. I got in my car and drove to the DZ and made a few jumps! Well played, sir. Well played. Certainly, any life-saving skill you learn, be it skydiving or anything else, will help keep you safer in general. Concepts you learn in the sport like situational awareness, priorities, defensive flying, can all help you in real-life situations. Like you say, it may not make you super-anything but they can help safe your ass someday.Peace, -Dawson. http://www.SansSuit.com The Society for the Advancement of Naked Skydiving Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrjny 0 #12 July 19, 2011 I don't know but I feel calmer and I do drive slower now. Can't say correlation or causation but definitely an observation. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airman1270 0 #13 July 19, 2011 The ability to assess a situation and recognize various potential outcomes is a valuable survival skill, no matter what activity one might be engaged in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divalent 104 #14 July 19, 2011 QuoteThe ability to assess a situation and recognize various potential outcomes is a valuable survival skill, no matter what activity one might be engaged in. The question is, does skydiving help you develop and hone that ability (to a degree where it is helpful outside the sport)? Or is it a self selection thing, where people who take up and do well in skydiving do so because they had those general skills to begin with? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
k-dubjumps 0 #15 July 19, 2011 Anytime I fall down I PLF and never put my arms out. It has come in handy those times I may have misjudged where my bar stool actually was. Adrenaline is my crack DPH #3 D.S. #16 FAG #12 Muff Brother #4406 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreenLight 6 #16 July 19, 2011 Quote Anytime I fall down I PLF and never put my arms out. It has come in handy those times I may have misjudged where my bar stool actually was. Agreed. I learned to hit the ground rolling in martial arts and it became quite helpful when falling off things during play and at work. Learned to PLF in skydiving which was pretty much the same thing. HOWEVER.... I found that I made my bed much prettier in the mornings, and folding up my work tarps became a lot easier after learning how to pack my parachute. Any time I'm folding up a tarp I think about packing my parachute LOL...Green Light "Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie5 0 #17 July 19, 2011 I would say playing computer games since I was a youngin' have done more for my hand-eye than anything else.The feather butts bounce off ya like raindrops hitting a battle-star when they come in too fast...kinda funny to watch. - airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #18 July 20, 2011 QuoteFrom I've read (I'm quite the noob here) it seems that this sport demands keen awareness as to what's going on in the moment (altitude, body position, avoiding collisions, wind direction, steering, landing on target, flaring, when to cut away etc..). Do you find that this awareness and focus spills over into non-skydiving activities? For example, do you feel you're more likely to spot potential danger on the road or even walking down the street (I hear muggers prefer surprising preoccupied victims?) Just curious. p.s. I couldn't find this through the search but if it's been covered before, a link would be appreciated. Thanks!. I never used to be able to figure out how people rolled slippery ass sleeping bags up before. The damn strings on the end of those things never were long enough. Now that doesn't seem to be a problem any more. I think my overall awareness level has increased in things in general. I don't know that ther eis much that i could directly relate, but just general response time and things like that.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devildog 0 #19 July 20, 2011 I hydroplaned last week on the interstate, ended up off road mostly scratch less, thankfully. During my spins, I did have the urge to cutaway and pull my reserve :)You stop breathing for a few minutes and everyone jumps to conclusions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #20 July 20, 2011 any newbie will tell you skydiving is composed of the greatest and most giving people on earth you can leave $10,000 in cash lying around at the DZ and it won't be touched - ever we're a super close family from all over and you crash in anyone's camper without asking it makes you more attractive it gives you superman-like reflexes it gives you 6 pack abs it makes you a better driver you smell better your parents are proud of you more than the others of course - old timers will tell you that it's just another sport and don't get so caught up in the fact that it makes you feel good from the endorphins of course - which will you believe? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #21 July 21, 2011 Quote"you smell better" -no one, ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #22 July 21, 2011 Quote In general, no. Specifically, though, the ability to PLF can save you from a lot of injuries. It's not something most people ever learn or practice. Amy (orthopedic surgeon) is of the opinion that if we taught this to more people we'd see fewer broken hips, arms etc in older people. I've often said we should teach PLF's in grade school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #23 July 21, 2011 Quote any newbie will tell you skydiving is composed of the greatest and most giving people on earth you can leave $10,000 in cash lying around at the DZ and it won't be touched - ever we're a super close family from all over and you crash in anyone's camper without asking it makes you more attractive it gives you superman-like reflexes it gives you 6 pack abs it makes you a better driver you smell better your parents are proud of you more than the others And here I thought that voodoo only applied to Burning Man My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkfairy 0 #24 July 22, 2011 No, I drive too fast, and I'm not safe around stairs and electric tools. Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EOCS 0 #25 July 23, 2011 I don tknow about safer but i have noticed that my reactions have gotten a bit quicker EG: catch the beer before it spills ect. Although before skydiving i had no fear of flying at all but now have a slight worry in the back of my head when flying cause i dont have a parachute with me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
