hechz

That is unfortunate, I hope that you get well soon. I am amazed that you made the jump anyway! Keep us posted on your prognosis.

Oh and should I have posted in the incidents forum, I feel that other could learn from the details of my poor decision making, but no EMTs came, so...

I have gone to the doctor, they don't really understand the potential impacts in skydiving and I am pretty poor at explaining the exact feeling. I am not hoping for a diagnosis from the forum, just want to get a rough idea of others experiences.

On 4-Jun I did a jump at Skydive Long Island. Only my 14th, and on landing I tried to slow my forward progress, like moron, and managed to kill my lift too soon. I dropped my self on my ankle and sprained it pretty badly. I was on crutches for two weeks, and then a cane for two. I am walking and using it everyday with no support, but I still feel mild soreness and/or twinges of pain. I am not sure if it ready for landing or not. Can some of those that have had sprained ankles before let me know how they felt after 6 weeks, and how long you all took off from jumping.

Stay Away from the Days in that is just up the road. It is awful.

I just took a CC course from him this past weekend, and boy did I learn some things. Mostly what I didn't know I didn't know! I have read the Canopy and It's pilot twice since Sunday, and I think I'll keep doing it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I will say that I think it could be a little more illustrative of technique. While it is made abundantly clear that all procedures vary from canopy to canopy, some concrete examples, diagrams or photos would be quite helpful in visualizing the correct mechanism for application of brakes in a turn to flatten it out, for example. Besides the book being invaluable, learning from Brian Germain is invaluable. Check out his schedule, http://www.bigairsportz.com/schedule.php, if you get a chance to take a course, do so. He is very approachable and knowledgeable.

Oh we talked about it, but I wanted to get some other viewpoints on how to avoid locking in on the ground. Also was hoping to hear that it was pretty common. I did get that so I don't feel as bad for making the mistake in the first place. I now have to take what my instructor, and others, have said to heart.

I had one face plant on my first solo landing, glided neatly to a stop and walked to gather my canopy on my second, and then flared early on the third. What's funny is that I didn't even realize I was being told when to flare the first two times.

We do this too. My first few jumps were directed. On this one my instructor asked me if I wanted to flare on my own. I confirmed it, and just immediately flared. I think I just heard "flare" and reacted.

I just started myself. Be careful of flaring too soon too. I flared bet. 20 and 30 feet and nearly smeared myself across the grass.

But of course, you keep us posted on your progression too. What method are you following?

I have just made my third AFF jump, fourth in my life! As many others have said, my paychecks have found a new home. I did my FJC At Airglades Airport in Clewiston, FL. My Instructor John was awesome, but we didn't get to jump 'cause the winds were just too high. I came back north, and found Cross Keys and FreeFall Adventures, and did my A-C Level jumps this past Saturday. So far I am still here and having a great time. Everyone in the sport has been awesome so far, a real great group of people at both DZs. I look forwarded to meeting more people and getting a lot more FF time under my belt. -greetings matt

Thanks very much for the advice!

've just made my third jump this past weekend. On my final jump of the day I flared way too early (20-30 ft.), but was lucky enough to recover. I still landed REALLY hard, but wasn't hurt. I was fixated on where I was landing as I had another skydiver directly in front of my intended landing target, and a wind-sock on the other side. What is the best way recovery procedure from an early flare? I didn't really know what to do, I got lucky. /I am planning on discussing this more with my instructor