boxman-chick

I had trouble breathing during my first free fall. This is what happend to me, I think: a. I had a good case of sensory overload b. I had my mouth open ( was very much "awestruck") On the second jump I kept my mouth shut and told myself to breath in and out a couple of times. Then my brain took it over again. Kinda had to jump start it. I think it is just overwhelming (sensory overload) for some people and your brain forgets to tell you to breath. Just "remind" it next time.

have let my fears get totally out of proportion and just cannot get over it. I think about nothing else. ________________________________________ Ruskin, I feel for you and can tell you what is working for me. First, I tell the "Ridiculous Fear Demon" on my shoulder to shut the fuck up! I work hard not to dwell on "what if..." thoughts and focus on my jump, picturing a good and fun one. Like what I'm going to do, the dive flow etc. I play this like a movie in my mind. I also stopped drinking coffee, the caffein jidders just seemed to fuel the "fear fire" and I switched to Peppermint tea instead, it's calming and gets rid of the knot in my stomach. I continously work on thinking in a positive way and look for stuff to laugh at. Jokes, comedies or just acting goofy. Laughter works wonders. I trust my jumpmaster TOTALLY and know he will take care of me. Exercising works for me, too. Turning negative energy into a positive one. Well, maybe there's one in there that you think might help you, too. Don't give up. Good luck and Blue Skies -------------------------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you riddler and the rest of you for your reply(s). I hope I do as well as you did. I did go to Perris this weekend. It's not much further than Vegas from me and after weighing the pros and cons, I decited on Perris. 11 min. was what I could afford and I hope it will help me. I jump again this Sunday. I learned to fly forward, backward, control my fall rate and polish off my turns. It really was a blast. The instructors were very helpful. I have my 7 min. on Sunday on video and watching it should help me to make future corrections. I jump at a small DZ, where the vibes and family atmosphere are priceless, but Perris is something to see... Skydiver Mecca.

Thanks for the reply and tip on Perris, CA. I checked it out online and it seems more "realistic" than Vegas. Those big suits don't look good. Perris is not that much further from me than Vegas.

I did my IAF Level I (same as AFF Level IV from what I understand) last weekend. It was way cool and very different from jumping progressive tandems first. I potato chipped some, which screwed up my diveflow ( got a little scared) but was able to finish my PCRPs, wave off and pull. My canopy ride was good, except my landing, should of flared a second or two sooner, so my butt is still sore. I live not too far from Las Vegas and the wind tunnel there and am thinking of going to try and practice in it this weekend. I think it would help my stability and future all around freefall. Do you guys agree? --------------

Hi gredway, welcome to the forums. Today I'll jump my 5th jump. It will be my last tandem, I repeated Level II to up my awareness and get over the sensory overload thing. I did great the last 2 jumps and know I will today, too. Then it's off to ground school and the IAF program. I was born and raised in Germany and feel for you when it comes to shitty weather. I jump in Arizona and we have more than enough sunshine. Hang in there and jump when you can. Blue Skies, be safe! -------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Hi Wild Bill, I think you're already doing a good job at the DZ with your sense of humor and by just being yourself. It certainly calms me to hang out for a while, chit chat with you or watch you pack. If you don't know who I am yet, I'm Sue, the chick that still does tandems and grins when you ajust her harness See you tomorrow.... --------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Hi all, I jumped for the first time a month ago and thought that would be enough. I never dreamed it would affect me the way it has. Skydiving is all I think about, I work, so I can go jump every weekend. The "open door thing" was and still is a bit unnerving, but I'm getting over it. I find it totally liberating to jump!!! I'll do a couple more tandems to up my awareness and then start the AFF program. This beats all I've ever done. I am worried and excited about my first solo canopy ride. Any tips and encouragements would be appreciated. ------------------------ You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. -- Eleanor Roosevelt