Bart13

Three years ago, on jump 19, I flared too high and severed my ACL. It hurt, but I considered jumping again that day since it seemed I hadn't broken anything. The next day I realized something was wrong and found out about the ACL. The surgery and recovery were much worse than the accident. During the recovery time I got into flying airplanes and got my pilot's license. So part of the delay in my return to skydiving is that all my spare cash has been going into flying, but now I find myself missing jumping and, even worse, knowing that I was so close to getting my A license. I only had Cat H to complete. I don't think I'll repeat my mistake, although there are plenty of others I could make. Every time I'm flying along at jump altitude I wistfully look out and long for that rush of cool air and adrenaline. If I'm near a DZ I monitor the frequency and if I hear "jumpers away" it's nearly more than I can stand. I feel that I will never be satisfied until I go back and at least finish what I started....and go from there. Good luck with your decision, as others have said it's a personal one and there are consequences to NOT jumping as well as to jumping.

One knee I busted into pieces in a motorcycle wreck back in the '70's, the other one I severed my ACL when I flared too high about 3 years ago on my 19th jump. Haven't jumped since, mostly because I started flying and got my pilot's license and all my money's been going there. But I miss jumping ALOT. Now, at age 49, with two "iffy" knees, should I take the chance and get back into it? I don't think I would make the same mistake again, and I can take the pain of an accident, but the weeks of recovery SUCK. Still, I was SO close to getting my A license....... Any suggestions?

There are a couple of DZ's in central VA. I'm new to the sport and the only place I've jumped is Skydive Orange. In, of course, Orange, VA. I can tell you that from where I live there are closer DZ's, but I found the energy and enthusiasm there was worth the drive. They have a nice Super Otter and usually a Cessna, also. Phone number there is 877 DIVESKY, also check skydiveorange.com. Blue skies!

I live 2hrs., 15 mins. from Orange but it's a beautiful ride and I'm so excited on the way down, and ecstatic on the way home, it goes by fast. I had an accident there a few months ago (my own dumb mistake) and when it happened there was help in a flash. I'm still grounded until my recovery is complete but I enjoy going down there just to hang out and soak up the energy! The Otter is great and all the instructors are top-notch.

Just wondering why you recommend having a wings dealer take my measurements......I was going to have one of my instructors at the DZ do it......also how would I find the nearest dealer?

I'm getting ready to order my first rig and will be ordering the harness & container from Wings. One option they offer is the articulated harness. Anyone out there familiar with this? I'd appreciate hearing the pros/cons.

Hey TC! Thanks for the words of encouragement, and sorry to hear about your accident. I've enjoyed our conversations down at Orange and I'll probably take you up on the offer of PT advice. I'm still waiting on an appointment for surgery.....it's through the VA system, so you know how that is.....hurry up and wait. Hope you get out of the trip to Iraq. I'm still visiting the dropzone so maybe I'll see ya there. Bart

I have just a couple of jumps left to complete Cat. H, and then a few fun jumps to hit the 25 required for A license, but........on jump 19 I flared too high and as a result have a severed ACL (knee ligament) which will require surgery. So by the time I go through recovery from surgery I guess I'll have to repeat a few jumps, but it was definitely a learning experience. However, I won the grand prize in a raffle at Safety Day, which was 50% off a harness & container system from Wings, so I'll have a good start at having my own rig soon. Hope to be jumping again by June. It's tough, though, being so close and now having to be grounded. Anyway, hello everyone here......