littlestranger 0 #1 September 2, 2003 Yesterday I did my level 5 jump, it was very educational. Exited fine, good arch, stable, did a few 360 degree turns, then figured out the 90...LOL, pulled at 5,500. Had a hard opening. I think the leg straps were a little loose though they seemed fine on the ground, got jerked pretty good, and had a single line twist under the slider that I worked out, (that was actually the best part of the jump, I knew just what to do!) Anyway, when I came into land I heard the JM say flair, flair, flair...I'm just not sure why I didn't. Landed HARD. Both ankles together, didn't PLF. hurt like a mother but I walked away. JM, awesome fellow that he is passed me to level 6 despite my landing. Not that it matters anymore, went to the doc today, broke my right ankle. 3-4 weeks in a boot, OUCH! I feel like such a dumbass! I thought I was flairing...obviously not. Hopefully I'm a fast healer and get back up in the air before I have to repeat Level 5. Really appreciate some feedback from fellow boneheads... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #2 September 2, 2003 You had a good jump, but apparently you got nervous right before landing and that's what happened. Well, now you know what NOT to do, next time pay just a little more attention to your instructor and relax a little bit more, you'll be fine.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #3 September 2, 2003 If you don't put your foot on the brake driving a car..it doesnt stop until it runs into something. If you slam on the brakes it stops fast and hard. If you gently put on the brakes it stops nice and slow. Just as it was designed to Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #4 September 2, 2003 That sux. Hope you heal well. Take calcium and whatnot and eat well and follow doctors orders. Try to judge more for yourself when to flare. Before I figured out to flare according to the canopy's reaction, I had just listened to the instructors and did a full flare when I was told. This lead to lots of problems. Sometimes the flare was too late, other times I needed to not do a full flare all at once and ended up back in the air quite a bit then plopping to the ground for a hard landing. I don't know if you're canopy is zero-p, but if so, the flare really is a gradual thing that goes best if you just feel the reaction of the canopy out as you flare. Practice in the air. Heal fast! :) Angela Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cindee 0 #5 September 2, 2003 I'm definitely a fellow bonehead. I had a bad landing on my AFP 3. The reason I'm such a bonehead is that I had a great flare, but when the JM came over the radio and told me I could stand it up, for some reason I stuck my left leg out. (I think I thought I was going to run it out). I broke my knee in two places and tore the ACL. That was 6 weeks ago and I'm still not walking on the leg. I won't be back in the air until next year. It sounds like you will heal fast and be back before you know it. Good luck on your student progression!__________________________________________________ "If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can't I?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlestranger 0 #6 September 3, 2003 QuoteTry to judge more for yourself when to flare. Thanks, I needed to hear that. I've been trying to be a good girl by doing everything the JM's tell me feeling I have to fight the urge to do things my way, which always seems to get me in trouble. I do need to take responsibility for my own reactions instead of relying on the JM though. Maybe the best thing for me would be for that radio to go out...give my survival instincts a chance to kick in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlestranger 0 #7 September 3, 2003 QuoteI broke my knee in two places and tore the ACL. That was 6 weeks ago and I'm still not walking on the leg. I won't be back in the air until next year. Thanks for sharing, I feel pretty damn lucky. Heal fast, OK. Angela is right on about the calcium. I've been taking it regularly for about a year now (mom's got osteoporosis) and I'm convinced my break would have been alot worse without it. Doc said I had strong bones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #8 September 3, 2003 Ive seen quite a few ppl not flare when there suppose too....all result in hard landings......stay on radio a few more jumps...U will learn when to flare.its more a matter of learning the depth perception....then u will become one with the "flare".. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #9 September 3, 2003 Hi, Teresa! I don't mean to say stop listening to the JMs, but definitely try to feel it out on a ZP canopy. It takes a little bit to begin to see when the right time to flare is (like Denren said, depth perception), but even once you do, you have to feel it out a bit. Don't just say, oh, it's time to flare, and in one motion flare it. Ease into the flare, you'll feel yourself get lift, you know you don't want too much lift too high, or you'll be done with your flare and still too far off the ground and you'll drop. But, you also don't want to only give a little bit of flare and never finish it before hitting the ground because that will hurt. It takes a little practice, that's for sure. I had my share of hard landings, luckily haven't broken anything yet (knock on wood). If you know you screwed up and are gonna land hard, plf! You'll get it soon, it'll likely take a few more not so nice landings, just try not to break anything else in the meantime, k? ! :) Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shadowplay 0 #10 September 3, 2003 I am a student as well, I'm up to level five but haven't jumped it yet..I always think that it's easier to flare early than late (duh I know). I'm flying a 300 and I figure I don't have to worry about flaring so hard that I tip the canopy over. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #11 September 3, 2003 Fellow bonehead here. Although none of my landings are really what would be considered graceful, one in particular hit really hard.I heard my knee crack really loud and spent several months limping around on it before I went to a sports med knee specialist.Did the full series of tests..nothing showed up.So they told me to live with the pain.I finished AFF and did a few solos with my bum knee wrapped in a brace and had a few more hard landings.After not jumping for 8 months (due to lack of funds/hurt knee and personal crap) I finally went to an ostiopath who has grounded me for an additional 6 months while in physical therapy,which is to be followed by a series of injection therapy(can't jump during those either) after I finish PT.I hope I can get a second opinion.I have no idea when I'll be jumping again.Its my own fault for jumping/walking around on an injury for months which made things worse and not getting treatment sooner.I openly admit I'm a dumbass. My advice is,if you're injured get help,get treatment and let yourself heal.Don't overtax yourself and make the injury worse that it already is.Don't "try to live with the pain" thats BS IMHO. Wishing you a speedy recovery. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #12 September 3, 2003 I had a hard landing without a PLF on my level 3. I experienced a brain fart and actually abandoned my flair. My mind was on what I screwed up in freefall rather than the task at hand. Fortunately, nothing was broken. It happens and you learn from it. This was a huge lesson for me. Now for some medical advice. If you can, buy some Arnica Oil from a natural foods health store. Rub it on the injured area as often as possible..unless there is broken skin. Do not apply to any broken skin. This will not heal the break, but it will help the soft tissue injury and bruising tremendously and quickly. Two warnings: It smells like shit and the people you encounter in the store most likely will be ugly as hell. But I swear by the arnica oil. Good luck and get well soon. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #13 September 3, 2003 Quotebuy some Arnica Oil from a natural foods health store. You are right, but you can also buy SALONPAS patches, I know they contain camphor but not sure if they have some arnica in it, but they really work, I used them when I had biking injuries, and they are cheap too. You can find them at CVS or any other pharmacy.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlestranger 0 #14 September 3, 2003 OK, how bad does the Arnica Oil smell? and camphor isn't that like Vicks Vaporub? I still have to go to work... I was joking with a friend this morning about how long it takes me to get to the bathroom, he suggested I start wearing depends, God I love that guy! No one at work has said a word about how "dangerous" skydiving is. They just mess with me at other levels... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #15 September 3, 2003 Quotehow bad does the Arnica Oil smell? Is not THAT bad...just peculiar.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlestranger 0 #16 September 3, 2003 I've been telling everybody about my Level 5 hard landing, but looking in my logbook I realize it was only level 4. Now I'm not so sure I didn't land on my head... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbbub78 0 #17 September 3, 2003 When i did my level 5 jump I had a similiar situation. Great dive, and for some reason i forgot to flare. At the last minute, i let go of the toggles, and proceded to do a karate breakfall (thank goodness i knew how to do that), and managed to get up and walk away. Of course landings for me have always been a problem, luckily i was still able to jump after that jump. Granted it was the last time i forgot to flare. I hope you heel fast bubbles"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone "The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote) "The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #18 September 3, 2003 QuoteI'm not so sure I didn't land on my head... If you have some 'green hairs' maybe you did and don't remember. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
