Jeth

Congrats on your 1st jump! That is really ambitious to finish AFF in one weekend. I am going back to the DZ next weekend, and am just hoping to do 2 more jumps. I couldn't imagine 5 a day for 3 days! But good luck to you on that! Let us know if you pull it off.

Jeth

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What absolutely makes me smile is when a student calls me his/her instructor. Its so much fun teaching jumpers.

Hey AggieDave,
Just wanted to tell you (as a student) that's nice to hear. I'm sure being an instructor can be frustrating, boring, annoying at times, but I'm glad you enjoy it. It's because of people like you that people like me can learn!! Thanks! p.s. I don't know how you do it -- I ski and one time tried to teach a friend who had never done it. He wasn't listening and was going sooooo slow, I got totally frustrated. I sent him to the ski school and took off down the hill! (Some friend I am, huh?)

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i knew i loved the feeling but part of what i loved about the whole experience was that someone else was doing the important stuff (ya know-- like pulling) and all i had to do was enjoy the ride

I know what you mean. The whole thing about me taking my life in MY OWN hands is not the most comforting thought. (Wierd -- you'd think I would trust myself more than anyone else, but that's definitely not the case!) But on the other hand, I know that the thrill of solo flight will be so totally awesome.
I will get there. I am hoping that a few more tandems will really fuel the desire to do it alone. (Cause I'll want to be in control more)

Glad I'm not the only one! Thanks!

p.s. Wait a sec -- tandems are expensive, but the class ain't exactly cheap, either! For me, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th tandems are cheaper than the level 2 thru 5 jumps!

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The first was just a ride to get the initial holy sh*t factor out of the way (atleast partially anyways).

On the second I was given tasks similar to what I would be asked to perform during AFF Level 1. This helped me to start thinking a little while in freefall despite the overwhelming sensation.

Ya, this is what I am hoping for. I think I may still have trouble concentrating on my 2nd, though, so I think I will do more tandems until I feel more comfortable.
Thanks for all the replies! I was just wondering if I'd look like a doofus for doing more than what's required. But it sounds like everyone is different, so that's cool. My DZ does give a discount for your 2nd, 3rd and 4th tandems, too, so thats great for me.

Thanks!

I am just curious how many tandems everybody did before doing your first AFF jump. (I know some people do S/L first, but I am asking about ones who did tandem-to-AFF).
I have done 1 tandem and am going back for my 2nd. I am thinking about doing 1 or 2 more after that before AFP. (My DZ only requires 2 before AFP) I am thinking I want to get more comfortable being in the air before I have to do all the driving myself. Any thoughts on this??

Thanks,
Jeth

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I agree with you there I find myself looking up into the sky while working and thinking this would be a good day to go skydiving.

Wow, I do the same thing! I was just on vacation last week and outside every day. The skies were so clear and blue, I thought about jumping every single day!!

Congrats on finishing AFF! I have to do another tandem before I can start AFP. I am soooooo ready to get back up there!!

Jeth

Congrats on the 1st jump!! So glad you enjoyed it as much as we all did. Yup, it is an amazing experience. Ever since my jump I am constantly looking up at the sky thinking that it's a great day to jump! I have also finished reading "The Skydivers Handbook", I highly recommend it.
I am going for my 2nd tandem on the 10th, I can't wait!! I wish I could do it sooner but I've been travelling every weekend. I know the 2nd one is gonna be 100 times better than the first one. I really hope I am more relaxed so I can process more of it. Then I can move on to learn how to jump by myself. Woo-hoo!
Anyway, welcome to the "hooked-after-one-jump" club.

Jeth

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It's those extra costs which led me to respond to your initial post. You see, unless that drozpzone is also providing you with the requisite coaching after your basic training (whether AFF, SL, IAD, whatever hybrid they might come up with), then simply "giving" you the rest of the jumps up to 20 (not the requisite 25) is misleading.

Chuck

Ok, I see. I do think all of the jumps in the AFP course are instructor-supervised. But it is a bit misleading because I'll still need 5 more after that. (And it doesn't say what they charge for those.) I'll definitely double-check what the FULL total would be to complete all 25 jumps.

Thanks for the info!

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The difference is that the DZ you have listed in your profile has a pretty proggresive training program that has gone through more adjustment than regular AFF programs.

Its more time with an instructor and more guided in getting things together. Either way you have to have an instructor to sign off on the requirements for the Lic, its just at SDC the program is detailed out much more and longer than AFF so you get more exposure to different things. (Not to say other DZs have bad training)

Ya, it definitely seems that way. I think for me that would be better since I have major doubts that I can skydive by myself so I need all the instruction I can get! (To build confidence)
So with the regular AFF program, to get the coached jumps can you just go to any DZ and ask for a coach? Then you pay extra to have the coach go with you? Do you generally use the same coach for all of them or just whoever may be there?

Thanks!

Welcome! You will have an awesome experience! I am not scared of heights, but I have heard from others who are that it doesn't really come into play. Perhaps only at the very end when you are just a couple hundred feet off the ground. But if you like roller coasters, then that part should be no problem either.
You will be scared, anxious, nervous. Especially on the ride up and when the door opens. Just because it's such an unnatural thing. You will probably be in shock/overload as soon as you're out the door. But once you're out there flying, it's all worth it!!

Good luck! Let us know how it went.

Jeth

Hey there,
Do tandem, not static line!! With a tandem jump you will experience a minute of freefall and it'll feel like you're up there by yourself. I think with static line your chute opens right away so theres virtually no freefall. (Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.) I think you'll also get a longer ride cause SL starts a lot lower than tandem. I have not done SL, but I have heard a lot of people say how much better tandem is.
You will get to experience a lot more that way, and you get to pull the cord and help guide the chute down (if you want). Or if you are in sensory overload and/or shock (as I was), the TM will do everything and you'll just get an awesome ride.
Just my two cents...
Have fun!

Jeth

Ok, I get the idea, thanks. I guess I'll find out exactly how it is at my DZ when I get into the course.

Thanks!!

So after student status, you don't have to go up with a jump master? But then to get the rest of the qualifying jumps for the license, you have to jump with an instructor or coach?
(I.E. after student status I could take some jumps by myself just for fun, but to get credit towards a license, I would have to go up with the instructor?)

Thanks!

p.s. kingbunky, I love your picture!

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Sounds awesome! Enjoy. I have a feeling no matter how steep the roller coasters may be, it'll be nothing in comparison...

Ya, I am thinking the same thing. Although I will be riding the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world, so it oughta be a pretty good thrill. (It's 420 ft at 120mph, straight down. )

I'll let ya know...

Hey everybody,
I am confused about training. My DZ has a program that gives you all 20 jumps, so that when you graduate you can get your A license. But with the AFF programs, you only get like 8 or 9 jumps and then you're on your own? But then don't you still need to be supervised? So how do you get the rest of your jumps? Do you just have to ask licensed jumpers to go with you? I can't believe someone would be off student status with only 8 jumps.

Thanks for any info.

Jeth

Cool! It's a great book, lots of info. I'll let you know how my 2nd jump goes. I am so hooked I was actually looking for a DZ in the area where I'll be on vacation. But I decided I want to go back to the same one and go with the same TM.
I guess I can wait. My vacation is going to 3 theme parks and riding tons of roller coasters, so hopefully that'll satisy me till I can jump again.

Hi there,
You're gonna love your first jump! You will be nervous, anxious, scared, etc. Especially when they open the door. When you first exit, you will feel like you're falling just for a few seconds, till you hit terminal velocity (when you stop accelerating). Then you will feel like you're FLYING!! And what a feeling that is!!! Woo-hoo!!
The first jump is very overwhelming. You will probably be in sensory overload and won't even really register what's going on. Then before you know it the chute is open and you are in a peaceful decent back to earth.
Don't forget to breathe in freefall. You may feel like you can't, but that's just in your head. Just breathe normally.

Have fun! Let us know how it went!

Jeth

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What's amazing is that in my video I'm smiling and laughing non-stop. So, did I really feel that traumatized for a couple of seconds in the beginning? My face wasn't showing it. I look calm, happy, elated, confident. Then yesterday I got my stills back and the same - except two, the only proof of those 10-20 seconds of terror. You can hardly make out my expressions because it could be interpreted as a smile, but it was different.

And yet, it calling back - no question about it.

Wow. I had the EXACT same thought. In all my pics and on the video I have this huge smile on my face. All that apprehension and fear (at the beginning) doesn't show at all. Everyone who looked at the pics thought I was lovin' every minute of it. That's another reason I thought I was "faking it". Why would I be smiling on exit when inside I am freaking about what I'm about to do? Was it because the camera was there? I don't think so. But maybe I wasn't as scared as I thought. I do look pretty calm all throughout my video.
I guess it's good, though. If I did look freaked they'd probably think it was fear of falling or fear of dying (which it wasn't). But it was definitely something. Thats why I really want to do it again. I need to experience it for real, without the sensory overload.

It is definitely calling us back -- answer the call! I am going on vacation for 10 days this weekend, but when I get back I'm going back to the DZ! When will you jump again?

Jeth

Ya, thats what I have been thinking about. Do skydivers have time for anything else? I love to travel, hang out with my dogs, have BBQ's, and be with my husband. Will I still have time for all that if I take up skydiving?
Do you jump every single weekend? I think I would need and want to in order to get better and stay current. Especially since here in Chicago we only have nice weather for a few months. But I wouldn't want to start neglecting my husband and friends all summer. Ah, I'm so confused! I really want to do it, but don't want to get consumed by it. (I think I already am!)

Jeth

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Once you start jumping solo everything changes. Now I just try to find balance between jumping and my other hobbies

Hey Tim,
I did my tandem at Skydive Chicago! I'm glad you say it's the best. I didn't do any checking beforehand. (It was a gift) But I was checking afterwards when I was checking into doing the AFP. It does seem to be a pretty comprehensive program compared to others. My only hesitation -- they didn't make me wear a helmet on my 1st jump. They didn't even offer it as an option. I asked about it when we were suiting up and they said "na, you don't need one.". I realize the TM is more important to protect (he was wearing one), but I still think they should've had me wear a helmet. If I do the AFP, I will definitely be wearing one for every jump.

It was good to hear some people take awhile to complete AFP. Part of me would love to do it right away, but I have a feeling that won't happen. I can't live at the DZ all weekend like some people! I am thinking about taking a week off next summer and trying to do it all in those 9 days. Of course, my husband will kill me if I use our vacation time for that! I don't know. When will I have the time to go to the DZ every weekend? But I hope I can do it before I forget how awesome it is.

Thanks for the warm welcome,
Jeth

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Where are you at in Illinois? Check out Skydive Chicago in Ottawa. They are by far the nicest skydiving facility in the Midwest, let alone the country, Can you tell I love Skydive Chicago.

freemis, I just wanted to tell you that I felt the same way after my 1st jump. I was excited when we landed, but there were also other emotions I couldn't really identify. I had complete faith in my TM (he is also very experienced with over 10,000 jumps). So I never felt fear of getting hurt or dying, but I think it was fear of the unknown. Those first few seconds when you're still accelerating -- that was intense. I had to tell myself, "Ok, open your eyes. You're flying!" But then when I did it was so awesome. I saw the videoographer right there in front of me and started hamming it up. The canopy ride was so cool, too. My TM did some spirals after I said I love roller coasters.
After we landed I felt good, but didn't want to go back up right away again. I think I was kind of in shock. It wasn't till the next day that I really started thinking about it. I started examining every detail in my mind. I kept looking at the pictures and watching the video over and over. I, too, had problelms talking to people about it. I didn't cry, but I was very deep in thought for 5 days straight. My mind was completely dedicated to my jump, and learning about how it works and trying to remember how it felt. I was trying to figure out if I really did like it, or I was just trying to convince myself I did. I felt really confused -- I was so drawn to jumping again, but I was also scared to actually become a skydiver and do it solo.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know I had a really intense response to my first jump, too. Now it has been 8 days and I am still occupied with thoughts of it quite a lot. I am almost done reading "The Skydivers Handbook". That has really opened my eyes to so much, I highly recommend it! I wish I had read it before I went. I will be going back for my 2nd jump as soon as I can, hopefully in another week. I'm so anxious to do that, to see how I feel after the 2nd one. I hope I will be more relaxed up there and be more aware.
Anyway, congrats on your 1st jump! Dont' worry about the emotional roller coaster, you're not the only one! And I'm sure we'll all get more comfortable up there as we do it more.

Jeth
p.s. I, too, did it myself cause my husband didn't want to. I hope that on my 2nd one I can find someone to go with, though. (More fun and someone to share the experience with.)

I totally agree with freemis on this one. I did my 1st tandem a week ago. I had wanted to do all the things my TM told me, but I was in total brain overload once I was up there. It went by so fast as it was, I can't imagine if I'd had to actually check the alititude, my heading, pull the cord, steer the chute and find my landing. I know I enjoyed it much more having him do the driving. And I still don't even remember most of it! (I have to watch the video to relive it.) Of course, now I am dying to go back up and do it again! But I still want to do a couple more tandems before I do a solo. I want to get more comfortable in freefall so when I do the solo I can be focused on what I need to do.
I think even with a million hours of ground school, nothing will prepare you for the feelings of freefall and having all that noise and pressure in your face and against your body. Do a tandem first just to experience freefall, then you'll be much more prepared to handle yourself on the solo.

Good luck! You're gonna love it!!

Hey there everyone,
I have always wanted to skydive, and for my 30th birthday, my husband surprised me with a trip to the DZ last Sunday. He has absolutely no interest in skydiving, but he came to watch. Well ever since I landed, I cannot get skydiving off my mind. The minute I got home I started combing the internet looking for information. I wanted to know more about the sport -- the training, the licensing, etc. I was also curious as to what kind of people skydivers are. (Now I know -- happy, friendly, and lovin' life. I still think I won't ever actually become a skydiver, though. The thought of flying that parachute all by myself is thrilling, but also terrifying. I mean, I think I could do it, but if something went wrong, or I got blown way off course or something, I don't know how I would handle that. I guess cause I have never been in control of my thrills, I'm always just along for the ride. But I think I would really love doing it myself if I didn't get myself killed in the process. It just seems like theres so much you have to know -- altitude, body position, heading, landing spot, -- and all the while try not to crash into any other divers! You guys make it look so easy. But I know it's really hard. And I'm not really an athletic person. I'm relatively fit, I work out pretty regularly, but I've never been into sports at all. But I think the biggest thing is the time and money. I'd have to jump every week or every other week to learn and stay current. But I live 2 hours from the DZ and don't have a car and have a million other things going on. I am also starting grad school in the fall. And I would really have to tighten our belt to afford all those jumps. Not to mention I work a regular job full-time so it'd have to be strictly a weekend thing. So I guess what I'm saying is I hope I can be one of these people I have read about who were in a similiar situation and eventually came back and became a skydiver. It's never too late, right! Maybe a few years from now I'll have more time and money. But now I don't know if I should even do any more tandem jumps. I mean, it might just make me more crazy to learn. (probably) Maybe if I don't go back then this stuff will finally leave my mind and I can get back to my pre-skydiving life. (But maybe not)
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. This is a great forum. Nobody around me will listen to me talk about skydiving. And since nobody I know has done it, they can't relate at all.

Jeth