Sky15

Rated in 1994, barely stayed current in last 5 years (had 2 kids, yada yada). Every year I wonder if it'll be my last year teaching and maybe even jumping, but I keeping hanging in there. Pretty proud of keeping the rating this long while having a couple of babies, it sure does make it difficult.

Sounds like you work awfully hard traveling, etc. I'm sure a change would be nice for a while. Sounds like it would not be harder physcially, just other aspects (lack of adult conversation, etc.) From your earlier post it did sound like you were clueless/disallusioned. Of course like any job, once in a while is quite different than everyday. That's great you help out when you are home. Because with you gone that much, your wife has an EXTRA tough job. I bow to all single parents and those with frequently traveling spouses, the few times my husband travels I am counting the days and hours until he's home.. Must be tough to be away from your family so much, too.

No whining here, just stating the fact that it isn't an easy job, and obviously that poster assumes it is, implying that he would not be bustin' his ass if he were to stay at home. Your point is well taken about generalizations, and he might make a great SAHD, but I do believe once he realizes how false his idea was (assuming one to be an effective parent rather than doing as little as possible) he might prefer to go back working outside the home. His apparent motivation for staying home it b/c he thinks it's not hard work. I imagine it's like attempting to describe skydiving to a whuffo. Until you are a stay at home parent, you just can't really get it.

Had to laugh when I read this post and loved the reply...i'd give this person who thinks he's "bustin' his ass" outside the home ONE WEEK as a SAHD and watch him then beg to get back to work outside the home again. I've seen this happen to my husband anytime he's had time off or even after a weekend. Of course we have two small children and one has special needs so our situation is pretty stressful some days. I am a "full time mother" and for me this also includes taking my disabled child to therapy twice weekly and to preschool five mornings a week, while also caring for my 3 year old. I worked outside the home from age 12 until age 30 when I had my first child, and did many different jobs. I also attended college full time and did some graduate work (after kids that had to go, no time!). Being an at-home mom is the most difficult job in the world IMO. And if you ask most women who have had the privelege of also working outside jobs and having some time as a SAHM, most will tell you the office job was the easiest by far. Not to mention the lovely recognition, sick days off, I could go on. Thanks to all here who do respect moms who do stay at home, as well as moms that work outside the home.

I am with Allison, I think there are some situations (rape, serious birth defects, etc.) that it really should be an option, I can't see banning it altogether.

BTDT on the main side years ago! Got some great video that demos a RSL in action. No real "thoughts" on it I guess but to share my story and tell you how it changed the way I do AFF from then on.. Basically I am a smaller female and could not arm wrestle a big guy to get his hand to the ripcord handle, he never touched cutaway during practice pulls, just never got to the r/c. But I had always tried to give a student every opportunity to pull (above my "hard deck" for them of course). At pull time to my surprise he went right to the correct main r/c! Jerk faked my out, and instead of pulling, quickly moved his hand to the cutaway. I tried for a second or two to get his hand of the cutaway and couldn't budge his fingers, so I tried to beat him to the punch by pulling his main. Well at the same time I pulled for him, he pulled the cutaway. Fortuntely my husband was on reserve side had about 7,000-8,000 jumps and was an original AFFI with loads of experience, and saw what happened. He dug his head into the student preparing for the ride through, and kept the student stable during reserve deployment. Man those RSL's work fast! Student had no idea what had happened of course. From that jump on, and after landing with the main in a field with a donkey that didn't want to let me near it, ugh..decided that if a student didn't touch the main r/c on a practice pull he wasn't gonna have the opportunity to pull it. And lo and behold, same weekend I had a Mr. Stiff that I could not get to touch it on PRCPs. So after some good eye contact discussion with my husband in freefall I pulled the student a tad high (just above pull altitude). Haven't had to do it again, but occasionally I just win in arm wrestling, and it became my new back up plan.

Well I just officially hit 15 years of jumping, got my new USPA card and felt sorta like a dinosaur when it said 16th year of membership. My husband with over 35 years in the sport chuckled and asked if I wanted to see his to make me feel better. I think 15 years of skydiving is an accomplishment for anyone, but toss in a couple of babies along the way, and it can be a challenge just to stay current. I also reflected on all the changes in the sport in the past 15 years. I realized that jumping F-111 for much of my skydiving career and also in Cessnas makes me a bit unique today. Or is that antique? Ah, the days of bottom end CRW and the 5 and 6 Cessna plane formations. I remember when Freestyle, RW and CRW were the only disciplines. For headgear, we wore nothing, frap hats, or protecs. Booties? Love em now, but never jumped them til I had about 1000 jumps. Still have a 1995 WWR photo and you can see some in booties so guess it was just coming out around that time. Never really thought about quitting til this past year (due to kids and $), looks like I'll stick with it a while longer.

I have also heard that many consider ADD, etc. on the autism spectrum now. I do have an autistic dd, but we don't use meds (aside from natural supplements her autism dr. suggests), if that is what you are asking about.

For years in our program, my husband of many thousands of jumps insisted that if a student somehow managed to get to Level 7 without ever going unstable (which is rare, since Level 6 is the instability skydive, but occasionally they can do perfect backloops) that on diving exit he would go out behind them and flip them over by the feet. Made sense to me, before I sign someone off I want them to know for themselves and prove to me they can regain stability.

That's funny, one jump. I agree at least A-license makes more sense. I was hooked from jump#1 but I doubt I would have called myself a skydiver too early. Sounds like he's someone that has done it once, might never again, but loves to talk/brag about it. I've got over 1,500 jumps and I'd probably say "I was a skydiver" or "I used to skydive" if i quit, even though it has defined me for most of my adult life. Edited to add: Students with some jumps or those like ones here that really ARE in the sport with no intent to stop anytime soon and do jump as regularly as feasible are different IMO than those like that online guy that made just one jump.

Thanks for the input.. Also, I have coached and jumped with many off student status, and have never been paid a penny and only a couple of times did I even let them pay my slot. It's just that I've always had goals/direction in the sport, and been mostly teaching for over 10 years, so it's an adjustment to switch to just sporadic/occasional jumping with no goals or even possibilities out there. Guess I'll just hang with it til I decide no more and take it one weekend at a time for now, sent in the renewal and $. Good to know I'm not the only one at my experience level not doing or planning to do any serious stuff. Thanks!

This is geared toward those with some time in the sport since probably everyone newer at skydiving can't imagine quitting. I know I sure couldn't until recently. Question is..would you keep jumping if you could only jump for "fun" and not have asprirations or goals (i.e., competing, doing world records). You can do occasional students for now as well. No boogies or traveling. I'm at a dz now where most of the skydivers are doing team stuff. Due to family circumstances, I will never be able to travel, or spend a lot of money or time making a lot of jumps. And this won't change as the kids get older. Could you go from 250-300 jumps a year to just 60 to 100 a year and be satisfied? Could you step down from the sport being your passion for years, running your own training program, and only jump sometimes only occasionally, depending on time of year, money/students, etc.? I still love being in the air, but feel a little out of place now. Can't be full time staff, can't compete, can't travel. I used to teach full time and did aspire to record jumps, and did some years ago. How do you know when it's just not worth it anymore? If you are an instructor...if you had to stop jumping with students would your answer change?

Hey guys..don't mind my barge..couldn't resist posting since I was at Sheppard AFB two different times for training in the Air Force Reserve. I remember the pilot training, drove me nuts hearing those planes all night long. One day many years ago, think it was the Thunderbirds flying there, and they flew RIGHT past my upper story dorm room as I was naked/changing clothes. It was so sudden and loud I almost hit the deck. Damn pilots..Just kidding. Hell of a buzz job. Kudos to all our military serving and come home safe! Cindy (who spent a few months during Desert Storm in England becoming addicted to coffee and learning to play cards when we were bored but had to be at work 4am-4pmish.)

True we didn't have tunnel time back then, etc., but I think I will always believe that there is something important about time in the sport as well, and the experience of having a lot of time in the sky, a fair amount of smaller or "medium" size loads before really big ones, etc. I've seen it work fine but it's still shocking to me to see someone go from say a 20 way to a 100 way and they also have less than a few hundred jumps and only local small experience. I agree that many with fewer jumps are much better fliers, of course we all know that and see it all the time. I have also seen some people with a lot of time in the sport and plenty of jumps that still don't fly that great as well. Also it is true there are some very good and fair organizers out there, but it does still have a much different feel today, more like the bottom line is just about all politics and of course money. And that is the political advantage of those that travel, they have the money/time to do it and make those contacts. I'm thrilled when new records are set and even more thrilled when there are no serious incidents in the process, just surprised to see some low numbers/time in sport on major big ways.

Just a minor vent about politics in skydiving...don't read on if ya don't want to.. I'm not much of a poster mostly lurk. When I started jumping 15 years ago, things were very different. I know politics were in the sport then, but nothing like today. Back then, you earned your slot on big ways and special events with time in the sport plus proven skills, at least where I jumped. You also usually moved up in formation size gradually, which is much better for safety and performance in general. No big deal if you go from 20 to 40 to 60 ways on up, rather than going from 20 ways to 100+ ways as peole do now. The world teams from the last few years are an example, pretty shocking that people with just a few years in the sport, and others with just more than a few hundred jumps are doing 300-400 ways. I have no jealousy about it, had my fun with big ways and record jumps and then made other life choices. I am just surprised and a little disheartened at the way things work now. People that "know somebody" can get on big ways, etc. even if they aren't very good flyers or lack experience. Whatever happened to the balance of skill and experience with a lot less politics being the determining factors? I also think it's not wise from a safety standpoint to put a person with low experience on super big formations. But it usually all works out I guess. Guess that is life, all things change with or without my approval.

Just wanted to add that I never give JUST a pin check on the ground, anyone that asks for one will get a full gear check, and they always appreciate it. Might be the AFFI in me. I also visually check everyone's gear that is in my vision (esp. chest strap and hackey/handles) during the ride up. I have also seen someone very experienced on a Women's World Record jump years ago forget to route it correctly. I just happened to notice as I was facing her in the plane.

I only became afraid of death once I became a parent, for the sake of my children, and moreso as I have a disabled child that may never live independently. Add to the mix no family to help out really, and an older husband....and it's a major worry. I agree the parent role changes things big time, but add a special needs child to the situation, and it's really a huge concern and even a stressful worry sometimes. I have spoken to other parents of disabled kids and they feel the same way. It's very hard, and I think that much harder for someone that loves to be in the air and has to continually wonder if it's "ok" to keep jumping and take that extra additional risk of injury or death. All those that can enjoy life and even skydiving without such fears and worry should appreciate their situation.

I am very sorry about your accident(s) and you are in my prayers. As far as advice, you have gotten some great replies here. I can sort of relate in that my daughter has autism. She is 4 1/2 and was diagnosed about a year ago. I too had to grieve the future we "had planned" and I understand that feeling. Some words of wisdom I received when I would start feeling guilty about the past, thinking I could have done things sooner/better, or worrying about the future (that is my huge fear, once we are gone, since she may never live independently)...someone told me such worries are "a waste of emotional energy". And I remind myself of that if I start to drift there. In the hardest times I also remind myself that it could always be worse, or more severe. Sometimes it does put perspective on things when I realize others are stuggling even harder. Yep our hand we were dealt sucks, but thank goodness it's not a worse hand. To limit your pity/sorrow time, put an actual time limit on it. Set aside a small amount of time, whether 5 min. daily or 30 min. weekly that you allow yourself to focus on the grief, worry, etc. Please do seek support here and in your life in person. DO NOT go though it alone. Also, do reach out, you know others must have similar injuries. Can your dr. put you in touch with any similar support groups? I don't go often but just the experience of walking into a full room with other parents of autistic kids did wonders for me in helping me feel not so alone in this battle. Edited to add: I did a little search online and there are some online support groups it looks like, if you haven't do a search. You may even locate a local in person group. I also have an online support group and it's invaluable for support and information. Also, The advice above about one day at a time is very good. Even going further, on your hardest days, one MINUTE at a time. When it's the worst, ALL you have to do, is just BREATHE, in and out. That's all you need to do, nothing more. Many (((Hugs))) to you.

I think the DZ I jump at now requires a C to do high altitude jumps when they have them on occasion.

Hi Sniper and Ron, It's Cindy. Just wanted to congratulate you both on doing your first AFF students! Glad they didn't get too crazy on you the first day. See you guys soon I hope. We keep getting viruses here the girls are bringing home from school, and I have wrist surgery again next month. Blue skies!

Lack of currency affects everyone differently, but I believe it's very common to make anyone extra nervous. As a student two weeks between jumps felt like an eternity for me. I had over 1,000 jumps and was an AFF instructor before any layoffs (never went more than a few weeks w/out jumping, and only then if the weather was bad a lot). Then I got pregnant and laid off for months. I was pretty darn gittery myself after the layoff, even with all that experience. And after my second child and another long layloff, I felt that way again. I also have seen other people with hundreds of jumps feel the same way after months off. You are not alone in your feelings. If I can feel gittery with over 1000 jumps, I can imagine I would feel much as you with only a few jumps under my belt. You have gotten great replies already here and you must make your own decision obviously, I just wanted you to know you are most definitely not alone and it is VERY normal to feel quite anxious after a long layoff. I found once my non current friends or myself got "back on the horse" things were way easier. It's just that first jump. If you miss skydiving, I would encourage you to jump once personally, whether it be a tandem or AFF. If you do AFF, ask for two jumpmasters, although they would probably do it that way anyway, a nice Level 3 currency jump. But it will make you feel more secure to have 2 with you, although you are certainly responsible for opening your own parachute. Best of luck!

I'm not sure if I ever have, if I have it's only been probably once for some strange reason. Of course, I just started using a dytter recently when I got my full face. Found it uncomfortable in the frap. I am surprised at how many people do seem very dependent on audibles. And couldn't believe it when a 4 way team in practice jump had all 4 Cypresses fire. There is something to be said for going back to visual basics of looking at the ground and altimeters, I think. Not to mention, if you have a malfunction, anyone is suseptible to loss of altitude awareness due to temporal distortion, thinking they have time they don't, and we read about many low cutaways from even experienced people. For this canopy situation alone, I think visual altimeters are important. I train my AFF students from day 1 that in ANY emergency/problem situation (airplane engine failure, freefall emergency, parachute emergency) first action is to check and know altitude. (Obviously, in a/c emergency they are trained to listen to the jumpmaster for instruction, but I want to instill in them from the beginning the importance of altitude awareness.) I would have a major problem with lower experienced people not wearing visual altimeters. Personally, I think maybe they should not use audibles at first either, so that they do not become dependent on them and to encourage them to read the visual altimeter during a skydive. Just my .02

Wouldn't again by choice, but have given mine to someone less experienced on plane that needed them.

Never have owned one in 1,500 jumps. Neither has my husband, who's been jumping 36 years and has almost 9,000 jumps. Not against them, wouldn't mind having one. Can't find one used and can't afford it. Did get a full face for RW though just recently.

WRW for Texas is 28, just done a couple of weeks ago.