Arojekt 0 #1 July 19, 2006 Hello, I'm a bit new to everything. I quite haven't made a first jump other than a 32 ft. simulation at encampment. I've been invited to go jump with some friends, it'll be a first for all of us. Free fall sounds amazing and all, but I have a problem with "ground coming at you at 140 mph" feelings. I am not great at handling those especially while in the plane. I will be doing an Accelerated Free Fall with two instructors and stuff. I know I can handle a flight down with a chute, but it's the fall that kinda makes me nervous. I know that it's pretty much enjoyable, though I love rollercoasters. I was just wondering, what do you guys do to conquer your fears? --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #2 July 19, 2006 ..don't look at the planet...but you're going to do it anyway, so WTH.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
tdog 0 #3 July 19, 2006 Show up at the DZ, meet the people, and start to be part of the family... Soon, you will have mentors to help you understand it all - and with understanding comes ability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #4 July 19, 2006 You won't feel that weightless, scary feeling when you jump from the plane. Since the plane is already flying about 100 mph, you'll be laying on a soft cushion of air from the moment you leap out. So just grit your teeth, relax and do it. Keep visualizing in your head exactly how you're going to do the jump perfectly, then go do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LloydDobbler 2 #5 July 19, 2006 ...and remember: the scariest part is probably going to be right before you exit the plane. Not only because it's not exactly the most natural thing to be standing in a doorway 12,500' up - but more importantly because you're standing in that doorway, facing the [I]unknown[/I] (which can be pretty darn scary, if you let it). It's really a mind game. (And its bark is much worse than its bite - once you get out in the air, you'll see). So best to just concentrate on your jump sequence, prep your exit, and jump...and know that once you get in the air, you'll be over the toughest part. It all gets easier after that. Have a great jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #6 July 19, 2006 > but I have a problem with "ground coming at you at 140 mph" feelings. the ground doesn't seem to be coming at you until you're really low. (lower than you will be before the chute is deployed) It's all about the first step. Then it's just a fun ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BIGUN 1,071 #7 July 19, 2006 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1571237;search_string=jumping%20in%20a%20pool;#1571237Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Arojekt 0 #8 July 19, 2006 Thanks guys. I'm a kiteboarder, and I got at most 40 feet in the air - if I am lucky. Up's not a problem. Down is. Heh. Thanks again. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Chris-Ottawa 0 #9 July 19, 2006 Hey, I recently went through AFF and loved it, but I thought I'd give you this advice. You won't have to worry about the ground coming at you because you'll be in a nice strong arch and not looking down. You will be so focused on that Altimeter and what you're supposed to be doing that you won't think of anything else. It'll eb over so quick, you will want to be back in that plane to go again before your feet touch the ground. I say, go out, jump, and you'll have a blast. Chris"When once you have tasted flight..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Fallosophy 0 #10 July 20, 2006 I agree, the door is the scariest part. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matthias 0 #11 July 20, 2006 I'm currently in AFF and I can say that part I always get anxious on is right before exit. Its more of the anticipation of the exit and performance anxiety (is my $185 going toward a pass or fail lol) and what not. But yeah, I dont know what it is but during the plane ride up to altitude when the altimeter is slowly creeping up past the 10 o'clock position up to 13K, and the the door rolls up and you hear that wind. Everyone else goes then you setup in the door. That's the scary part for me, best you can do is close your eyes, breathe deep, breathe in for 10 seconds, breathe out..it kinda helps. The exit...kinda a mixture of emotions. I'm nervous being next to the door with my head out and the wind rushing and the ground 2 miles down. But I find myself talking about the exits and thinking about the hotel check/exit counts and always smiling. Its a definite adrenaline rush and on "ARCH" you launch into the unknown. The freefall part, isnt really scary at all unless you COMPLETELY botch the exit..just remember to arch hard and keep your legs from kicking (problem Ive been having). You dont really have any time to feel frightened as it goes by fairly quickly and your mind is focused on the diveflow objectives. Its intense, its fast-paced, the winds rushing up at you at 120mph but unless you are on a tandem jump looking down the whole time, you will not be able to tell the ground is coming up at ya. On AFF, you gotta keep you head up at the horizon to maintain a good body position...of course, I need to be taking my own advice because I am tempted to look at the ground *shrug* The canopy ride, you'll love it. If your radio fails or you cant understand your instructor just look for the DZ, steer towards it, hold the landing pattern upwind and make your final approach and landing into the wind. *dont* flare too soon. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Blue skies!_________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Arojekt 0 #12 July 20, 2006 Flare? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mangledspoon 0 #13 July 20, 2006 Hehe, weirdly enough, I NEVER looked at the ground till at least my eighth jump. They kept asking me afterwards, "What was your ground heading?" and I never had one. Then on my first solo jump, that was all I did - stare at the ground.. and alti. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tomvailco 0 #14 July 20, 2006 Do a tandem instead of AFF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Arojekt 0 #15 July 20, 2006 I don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites steveorino 7 #16 July 20, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. You've seen one too many porno movies. It ain't the same. If you're homophobic, ask for a Tandem Instructor of the opposite sex, geesh. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MotherGoose 0 #17 July 20, 2006 There's plenty of hot Tandem Mistresses out there, you'll never want to jump solo !!!You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LloydDobbler 2 #18 July 20, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. In addition to echoing what everyone else has said about hot tandem mistresses...it's really a personal preference thing. I didn't think much of my tandem, until I had done my first AFF. Now I recommend people do a tandem first, only because you get more of a chance to hang out, get the feel for freefall...and just look around! Like Chris from Ottawa said, in AFF-1 freefall you'll be so focused, you'll barely notice where you are. The 'taking stock and soaking in the freefall' doesn't really come in until you graduate AFF and get to go do a 'no-pressure' jump all by yourself...then it feels like you're in the air [I]forever[/I]! But it all comes down to you. Either way, tandem or AFF, you'll have a blast! (& what a great friend you have, inviting you to go & buying it for you! I want to hang out with you people! Oh, yeah - as for 'flaring', it essentially means to 'apply the brakes.' They'll teach you all of that in AFF ground school. Listen to your instructors. Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Arojekt 0 #19 July 21, 2006 Sadly enough, it's my girlfriend that beats me to it. She's not afraid of heights at the level I am. I can handle fourty-fifty feet... Breaking 1,000's a bit iffy. 2,000's a no. And 12,500 is an unimaginable. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #20 July 21, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. I think even if you're a one jump and done customer, you'll take a greater sense of accomplishment from the AFF-1 jump. The downside is that you could end up spending all day in training only to get winded out. From my own experience, nothing worse than skydiving jitters that aren't relieved. depending on the schedule, they may be happy to trade that gift cert for a tandem and video. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #21 July 21, 2006 QuoteSadly enough, it's my girlfriend that beats me to it. She's not afraid of heights at the level I am. I can handle fourty-fifty feet... Breaking 1,000's a bit iffy. 2,000's a no. And 12,500 is an unimaginable. I like 12.5-24 a heck of a lot more than 45. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Bradley77 0 #22 July 21, 2006 I did a tandem jump last week. When we moved up to the door and I looked out it really didn't bother me (I prepared by watching a number of skydiving movies). What did get me was the exit....just as we are going! I thought to myself, "Oh crap we are going!"....lol. I closed my eyes for a sec and then opened them after we flipped over. I got in the box and did a "YeeeeeHaaa". I thought to myself...."Well, there is no going back now so I might as well enjoy it until the end!" The height is not a problem, looking out two miles down is not the problem, getting out on the platform was not a problem, but that first step off the platform...whoa! After that it was really fun! Going back this weekend for my second tandem and then the first jump course!!Damn, this is fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MissyOutTheBox 0 #23 July 22, 2006 You got "In the Box", No you are supposed to "Be Out The Box" after you opened your eyes..lol Have always wanted to be a social butterfly but now I have the wind beneath my feet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hayfield 0 #24 July 23, 2006 Take 3 deep breaths and remember, "This is supposed to be fun". That's what my instructors used to tell me, helped a little. I still have mini, internal conversations about giving up the sport b4 i or my girlfriend are hurt. Then I look out the door, at the receding landscape and the clouds, and know that soon I will fly, a little boy's dream come true. I will flip and soar, will be happy and free. That's what really works for me. Goddamn i love this shit!"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!" -Crusty Old Pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nutellaontoast 0 #25 July 23, 2006 I just finished AFF so, while I may not be an expert, dealing with the fear is certainly fresh on my mind. There were a few things I did. First and most important, I think, is to accept it. One of the most common things I heard when I told people I was scared was "You're jumping out of an airplane. If you're not scared there's something wrong with you." You're going to be afraid. The fear is most likely one of the bigger reasons why skydiving is so much fun. The rest were just little things. Smile, it makes you feel better. You're going to be given a sequence of things to do. Go over it again and again to keep your mind occupied. One of the things they teach you to do is the check of threes. I think you're supposed to do it 3 or 4 times every jump. On my first few jumps I'm sure I did it about 20 times each. Just remember; youi're not going to die and the only way to stop being afraid of jumping out of airplanes is to go and jump out of airplanes! Hope that helps! Good luck and have fun! If you get out the door, you will! StevieDon't let the fact that I sound like I think that I know what I'm talking about fool you. I know that I don't know what I'm talking about Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 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. 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LloydDobbler 2 #5 July 19, 2006 ...and remember: the scariest part is probably going to be right before you exit the plane. Not only because it's not exactly the most natural thing to be standing in a doorway 12,500' up - but more importantly because you're standing in that doorway, facing the [I]unknown[/I] (which can be pretty darn scary, if you let it). It's really a mind game. (And its bark is much worse than its bite - once you get out in the air, you'll see). So best to just concentrate on your jump sequence, prep your exit, and jump...and know that once you get in the air, you'll be over the toughest part. It all gets easier after that. Have a great jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 July 19, 2006 > but I have a problem with "ground coming at you at 140 mph" feelings. the ground doesn't seem to be coming at you until you're really low. (lower than you will be before the chute is deployed) It's all about the first step. Then it's just a fun ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,071 #7 July 19, 2006 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1571237;search_string=jumping%20in%20a%20pool;#1571237Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arojekt 0 #8 July 19, 2006 Thanks guys. I'm a kiteboarder, and I got at most 40 feet in the air - if I am lucky. Up's not a problem. Down is. Heh. Thanks again. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris-Ottawa 0 #9 July 19, 2006 Hey, I recently went through AFF and loved it, but I thought I'd give you this advice. You won't have to worry about the ground coming at you because you'll be in a nice strong arch and not looking down. You will be so focused on that Altimeter and what you're supposed to be doing that you won't think of anything else. It'll eb over so quick, you will want to be back in that plane to go again before your feet touch the ground. I say, go out, jump, and you'll have a blast. Chris"When once you have tasted flight..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fallosophy 0 #10 July 20, 2006 I agree, the door is the scariest part. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthias 0 #11 July 20, 2006 I'm currently in AFF and I can say that part I always get anxious on is right before exit. Its more of the anticipation of the exit and performance anxiety (is my $185 going toward a pass or fail lol) and what not. But yeah, I dont know what it is but during the plane ride up to altitude when the altimeter is slowly creeping up past the 10 o'clock position up to 13K, and the the door rolls up and you hear that wind. Everyone else goes then you setup in the door. That's the scary part for me, best you can do is close your eyes, breathe deep, breathe in for 10 seconds, breathe out..it kinda helps. The exit...kinda a mixture of emotions. I'm nervous being next to the door with my head out and the wind rushing and the ground 2 miles down. But I find myself talking about the exits and thinking about the hotel check/exit counts and always smiling. Its a definite adrenaline rush and on "ARCH" you launch into the unknown. The freefall part, isnt really scary at all unless you COMPLETELY botch the exit..just remember to arch hard and keep your legs from kicking (problem Ive been having). You dont really have any time to feel frightened as it goes by fairly quickly and your mind is focused on the diveflow objectives. Its intense, its fast-paced, the winds rushing up at you at 120mph but unless you are on a tandem jump looking down the whole time, you will not be able to tell the ground is coming up at ya. On AFF, you gotta keep you head up at the horizon to maintain a good body position...of course, I need to be taking my own advice because I am tempted to look at the ground *shrug* The canopy ride, you'll love it. If your radio fails or you cant understand your instructor just look for the DZ, steer towards it, hold the landing pattern upwind and make your final approach and landing into the wind. *dont* flare too soon. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Blue skies!_________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mangledspoon 0 #13 July 20, 2006 Hehe, weirdly enough, I NEVER looked at the ground till at least my eighth jump. They kept asking me afterwards, "What was your ground heading?" and I never had one. Then on my first solo jump, that was all I did - stare at the ground.. and alti. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomvailco 0 #14 July 20, 2006 Do a tandem instead of AFF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arojekt 0 #15 July 20, 2006 I don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #16 July 20, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. You've seen one too many porno movies. It ain't the same. If you're homophobic, ask for a Tandem Instructor of the opposite sex, geesh. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MotherGoose 0 #17 July 20, 2006 There's plenty of hot Tandem Mistresses out there, you'll never want to jump solo !!!You think you understand the situation, but what you don't understand, is that the situation just changed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LloydDobbler 2 #18 July 20, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. --Arojekt. In addition to echoing what everyone else has said about hot tandem mistresses...it's really a personal preference thing. I didn't think much of my tandem, until I had done my first AFF. Now I recommend people do a tandem first, only because you get more of a chance to hang out, get the feel for freefall...and just look around! Like Chris from Ottawa said, in AFF-1 freefall you'll be so focused, you'll barely notice where you are. The 'taking stock and soaking in the freefall' doesn't really come in until you graduate AFF and get to go do a 'no-pressure' jump all by yourself...then it feels like you're in the air [I]forever[/I]! But it all comes down to you. Either way, tandem or AFF, you'll have a blast! (& what a great friend you have, inviting you to go & buying it for you! I want to hang out with you people! Oh, yeah - as for 'flaring', it essentially means to 'apply the brakes.' They'll teach you all of that in AFF ground school. Listen to your instructors. Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arojekt 0 #19 July 21, 2006 Sadly enough, it's my girlfriend that beats me to it. She's not afraid of heights at the level I am. I can handle fourty-fifty feet... Breaking 1,000's a bit iffy. 2,000's a no. And 12,500 is an unimaginable. --Arojekt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 July 21, 2006 QuoteI don't really have the choice now. Someone bought it for me, and invited me. I can't decide. Besides... having some guy strapped to me from behind... I dunno. That just makes me uncomfortable. I think even if you're a one jump and done customer, you'll take a greater sense of accomplishment from the AFF-1 jump. The downside is that you could end up spending all day in training only to get winded out. From my own experience, nothing worse than skydiving jitters that aren't relieved. depending on the schedule, they may be happy to trade that gift cert for a tandem and video. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #21 July 21, 2006 QuoteSadly enough, it's my girlfriend that beats me to it. She's not afraid of heights at the level I am. I can handle fourty-fifty feet... Breaking 1,000's a bit iffy. 2,000's a no. And 12,500 is an unimaginable. I like 12.5-24 a heck of a lot more than 45. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bradley77 0 #22 July 21, 2006 I did a tandem jump last week. When we moved up to the door and I looked out it really didn't bother me (I prepared by watching a number of skydiving movies). What did get me was the exit....just as we are going! I thought to myself, "Oh crap we are going!"....lol. I closed my eyes for a sec and then opened them after we flipped over. I got in the box and did a "YeeeeeHaaa". I thought to myself...."Well, there is no going back now so I might as well enjoy it until the end!" The height is not a problem, looking out two miles down is not the problem, getting out on the platform was not a problem, but that first step off the platform...whoa! After that it was really fun! Going back this weekend for my second tandem and then the first jump course!!Damn, this is fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MissyOutTheBox 0 #23 July 22, 2006 You got "In the Box", No you are supposed to "Be Out The Box" after you opened your eyes..lol Have always wanted to be a social butterfly but now I have the wind beneath my feet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hayfield 0 #24 July 23, 2006 Take 3 deep breaths and remember, "This is supposed to be fun". That's what my instructors used to tell me, helped a little. I still have mini, internal conversations about giving up the sport b4 i or my girlfriend are hurt. Then I look out the door, at the receding landscape and the clouds, and know that soon I will fly, a little boy's dream come true. I will flip and soar, will be happy and free. That's what really works for me. Goddamn i love this shit!"Remember the First Commandment: Don't Fuck Up!" -Crusty Old Pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutellaontoast 0 #25 July 23, 2006 I just finished AFF so, while I may not be an expert, dealing with the fear is certainly fresh on my mind. There were a few things I did. First and most important, I think, is to accept it. One of the most common things I heard when I told people I was scared was "You're jumping out of an airplane. If you're not scared there's something wrong with you." You're going to be afraid. The fear is most likely one of the bigger reasons why skydiving is so much fun. The rest were just little things. Smile, it makes you feel better. You're going to be given a sequence of things to do. Go over it again and again to keep your mind occupied. One of the things they teach you to do is the check of threes. I think you're supposed to do it 3 or 4 times every jump. On my first few jumps I'm sure I did it about 20 times each. Just remember; youi're not going to die and the only way to stop being afraid of jumping out of airplanes is to go and jump out of airplanes! Hope that helps! Good luck and have fun! If you get out the door, you will! StevieDon't let the fact that I sound like I think that I know what I'm talking about fool you. I know that I don't know what I'm talking about Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
