Melissa76

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  • Home DZ
    Skydive Twin Cities
  • License
    Student
  • Number of Jumps
    10
  • Years in Sport
    1
  1. I sustained an extremely nasty femoral fracture due to a car accident when I was 15 y/o. Obviously didn't acquire it skydiving but I don't think that part matters given your questions and concerns. After 6 surgeries, hardware, leg lengthening, etc. here's my advice: Make damn sure you have an excellent doc with a decent bedside manner who understands your drive (they do exist). My first doc was incompetent and I spent 6 more months on crutches because of it. If you have a good doc, do what they say and seriously think of long-term implications if you start jumping again too early. Skydiving, while a big part of our lives, should not be life itself. Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I know it's frustrating but I thank my surgeon (the good one) for the fact I can run marathons, skydive, or do whatever I want except for winning a "best legs" contest due to the scars
  2. The tandem jumps also count toward your A license so yet another reason to not think of it as wasted time or money if you want to do more before donning your own rig. I can't wait for the barrel rolls and flips (I'm hoping to get through D1 this week so have a bit more to go before that) although I've never been known for grace so it should be interesting
  3. I got so bunged about making the first jump with my own parachute that when the time finally came it was easier than I thought it would be. That said, you do want to feel a certain comfort level with the idea so do as many tandems as it takes....in my case it was 6 and a champion skydiver at my DZ had 7 tandems before taking her FJC. If you are truly fascinated by skydiving there's a huge chance you will absolutely love learning how to do more for yourself. I will say though that learning how to skydive is more involved than I first thought so if you aren't sure you want to dedicate the time, money, and energy to it, there's nothing wrong with doing tandems until you feel you want to be more committed. Keep in mind also that on tandems you can do all sorts of things like turns, practice pulls, canopy control to some extent, etc. Whatever you do, go at the pace that's right for you and not someone else.
  4. As a pretty new person to skydiving myself (6 tandems and just passed AFF Cat C) I can identify with all kinds of anxious thoughts. I don't think it's fair for those more experienced to get on their high horse and proclaim "Well, skydiving's not for you." Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but that's your decision. I will say that AFF may provide a pleasant distraction as your thoughts should shift to what you need to do to pass the level instead of all of the other "what ifs". Also, your confidence will grow as you become more independent. That said, it took me a number of tandems before I felt ready to do AFF so it's a very individual process. If skydiving is something that truly interests you, stick with it. Learning anything new usually involves some anxiety but the payoff can be so worth it!
  5. The tandems helped me become more comfortable in the air and it's my belief that every skydiver is very different in that way. Some people can go straight to AFF and it's the best thing for 'em.....for me I think that route would not have been wise. It took me awhile to be able to control my fear factor and that would have gotten in the way of everything else. So, when people post about that topic there's no one right answer although I guess if someone is quite anxious like I was in the beginning, I don't see why the tandem option wouldn't be strongly considered. I plan to go back for my Cat C this week and will do my best to make weekly jumps.....and I'll definitely buy a case of beer once I pass AFF! I'm very thankful for everyone who responds to questions on this forum....the constructive feedback has really been helpful!
  6. Hello, Just had to make a post as I finally made my first solo landing after 6 tandems over the past year and two weeks of nerves and waiting for good weather to do my AFF Cat B (I passed A with a working tandem). The experience was absolutely awesome and I can't wait to do my Cat C in the coming week. Thanks to everyone at Skydive Twin Cities for making this truly a memorable experience! Blue Skies, Melissa
  7. Since I'm far more likely to die from gases or vapours I'm certainly going to quit feeding my husband beans so I can continue skydiving! There was an article in Time magazine last December...the online version does not have the actual graphic of what people actually die from but the hard copy would. The gist of the article is that we're not afraid of the stuff that will most likely do us in (preventable disease and automobile accidents). I believe I have it right that you are more likely to die in a commercial jet crash than from skydiving. Modern air travel is considered much more safe than driving......
  8. I'm certainly not ready to quit so I guess I'll swallow my pride and shell out some more dough and do at least one more practice tandem, making sure that I jump with my AFF instructor or at least someone with that license. Still hoping to get that first solo in within the 30 day time period but if not, it's just money. As long as I'm alive money can be spent....not the case if I land in power lines! This is really turning out to be more challenging and frustrating than I thought it would be, but I think it will be so worth it.
  9. Thanks for your comments. I honestly never thought the harness could be a problem since I've never felt too uncomfortable and the bottom part is released after the canopy opens for more comfort. Someday if I'm actually ready for my own parachute before I'm dead, it will be interesting to note the differences. In the bigger picture, I've decided I want to practice flying the canopy with a tandem master before doing it on my own. Even though I know the FJC works for most everyone, I just can't reconcile in my brain that everything will be okay flying myself after just the classroom training with no other practical experience. Maybe I should start a thread for "remedials" like me and find some friends! Thanks again for all replies.
  10. Hi Everyone, After 4 tandems I figured it was time to take AFF and really start learning some things! Since it was too windy for us to make our first jump we were still able to do a "working tandem" to practice some things and since I'm especially nervous about the landing pattern I thought this would be a great, albeit expensive, opportunity. During this tandem (yes, #5) shortly after the parachute opened I got the dry heaves and they didn't stop until we touched down. Needless to say, I wasn't paying attention to much to do with flying the parachute or landing as I was too busy wretching! I've since been told since I didn't eat lunch (I suppose it had been more than 7 hours since my last meal) that along with adrenaline was probably the culprit of my illness. All I can say is at this point I'm majorly confused and depressed....is this a sign that I'm simply not cut out for skydiving....should I do five million tandems and retake AFF? It always has been hard for me to control the adrenaline that catches up with me after the chute opens as I usually pant like a dog for a minute or feel slightly dizzy although the dry heaves were a first! Should I just go for the AFF jump since I passed the test and just trust I can land myself with the radio assistance? Your honest feedback will really help me make a decision. Thanks! Melissa
  11. Ha Scooter - very cool! What, did you start skydiving when you were 5?! Looks like it keeps ya' young so now that I'm in my 30s I need the help
  12. Happy Friday Everyone, Just needed to vent some nervous energy before my FJC tomorrow morning. Although I've had 4 tandems I'm still pretty nervous....I'm totally in awe of those who go right to AFF! Anyway, I've expressed before on this forum that I'm a bit nervous about flying my own parachute and landing in the right spot but I'm guessing that's why they talk to newbies in the helmet! I'm definitely excited and it looks like in my neck of the woods (MN/WI) it should be beautiful jumping conditions - hope the same is true for you! Blue skies....-Mel :-)
  13. Okay yeah...yikes....all that stuff about downwind, crosswind, upwind....I'm lucky if I know east from west much less all of that! I hope there is an easy way to determine such things! Anyhow, congratulations on your progression....sure sounds like fun to do all of those flips. Sure hope I get that far unless all of this directional stuff renders me hopeless. My first AFF jump is scheduled for this Saturday :-)
  14. After the chute opens and you've checked it, what's next? Do you look for the DZ and just try to head toward it? I guess that's the part that's got me a bit bunged - I know I'll learn about it in training but I always like previews!