mzanghetti

Congratulations on getting your A license! I wish you all the best in your endeavors in skydiving, stay well. Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

Juiceman, How are things with you? Has any part of the conversation helped you toward making your first jump? I am sorry if my jumping into the conversation (if you will pardon the pun!

Good point and one that was raised by a friend who said he would take me, but he raised another idea as well, take a trip up there to talk face to face with the DZ owner/operator and work some things out and go from there. I have talked to them and that is also where the DZ owner/operator seems to be at, they will make no commitments until we can meet face to face. This seems to be the best course of action all the way around, and a logical next step. I am not dissuaded easily and I agree that skydiving may not be for me, but I won't accept that until I have tried everything I can and have still failed, I am nowhere near that point yet. H**l, at one point someone said I would never walk again and I can walk today because I wouldn't take no for an answer. Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

My apologies for hijacking the thread and I hope the information was of some help to you, good luck with AFF next spring! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

Thank you, all this information helps quite a bit to heighten my chances of success when I do finally get into the air for a jump, that is very much appreciated. BTW, my apologies to the OP for hijacking their thread! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

*^%$**!! My Mom asked me how I planned on getting to the drop zone since I don't own a car and I told her my Aunt was going to give me a ride and she asked to go with the two of us, now the two of them got to talking and my aunt backed out! So now I am back to square one with no way to get to the drop zone. This is just turning into one road block after another. The drop zone closes November 7th and it doesn't look good for being able to get something set up before then, so I don't know what is going to happen, I just know I am not giving up. I wonder if I can find somebody that lives near me to bring me along with them to jump and I will buy gas and lunch. Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

Where did you find the right stretches to do? Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

That is exactly what gives me pause, my Dad is deeply opposed to my jumping at all and has asked me to justify my trusting a tandem instructor over myself but at the same time they say they don't trust me either so I am in a catch-22! I am going to jump but now am facing several days of foul weather to get past! This has not been easy and it has only been my determination that has kept the process moving forward. I am approximately sixty years old and living in a nursing home due to disability, any other questions? Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

Hi! I understand what you are going thru and sympathize with you but patience is your best friend right now. I am much older than you and have to juggle transportation and weather to make my first hopefully within the next three weeks or so or have to wait until next spring which I don't want to do! Hang in there and know that you will get thru the wait I promise. But use the time wisely and get some money but aside, the DZ closest to me https://www.skydivedanielson.com/ and they estimate about 3,000 dollars to get your A license so be prepared for that. Those are not my numbers, follow the link and see for yourself. I want to at least do one tandem to see what it is like before I commit to spending that kind of money. Just my $.02 cents! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

You sound just like me! I think we are both pretty "normal" for skydiving newbies. Just not sure how normal skydivers are?

Thanks for starting this thread! I am in a similar situation and have learned much from what has been posted. Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

Thanks Max for your input, I did not start this thread but have learned much from it. I am just about to do my first jump and have decided to do one or even two tandems for just these kinds of reasons. I am very nervous about having the abilities to do an AFF jump first time out. I almost think the tandem jumps should be required, but understand I could be wrong and will come back to this thread after my first jump. This board has answered a lot of my questions and helped me overcome my fears so thanks to all of you for that! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

I was a FF-EMT earlier in my life and people would always argue against seat belts because they heard a story about somebody who would have drowned/burned, etc., because the seat belt jammed/could have jammed, you get where they are going. If you are standing on a ranch and hear hoof beats, don't look for unicorns! There are almost always going to be exceptions to the rules, don't bet your life on them! That is what I have learned in life! I think I will use an RSL for increased safety.

Congratulations! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

You should sleep better, sounds like you did the right thing! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

"I got the skydiving speech... And here I am." I don't get the connection between bowling and skydiving, can you explain? Why did your next option then become skydiving? I am really curious about this as I have a friend that is really into bowling. Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

I have lost quite a bit of weight over the last few months/years and am having quite a bit of trouble adjusting to my new size, I can only assume you and I are normal in having trouble dealing with being a different size, I don't know if that changes with time. I do have one other suggestion, have you considered getting some counseling? I don't make this suggestion in order for you to continue skydiving, but in order for you to deal with any body image issues and to avoid PTSD or similar issues going forward. Yes, I do have a Psychology degree if you must know, just a suggestion for your mental health!

Thank you for the update, I am a 59 y/o male with left sided weakness due to a cervical spinal tumor surgically removed and contemplating a tandem skydive. Nice to know I am not the only one to have to deal with these kinds of questions! Blue Skies! Mark P. Zanghetti ‘Don’t for one second long for who you were, but recklessly pursue who you can become.’ … We can learn from the past but we can’t get it back.”

I love reading about World Record Attempts, I would love to be part of one!