UliToo

On my 25th jump a year ago, I had an unstable opening, in which my foot got caught in the lines of the opening canopy, which pulled my leg at an unnatural angle and tore my MCL. It took until November to heal and I figured I'd be good to go come spring. However, after having all winter to think about it, the fear really grew. If it hadn't taken so long to heal, I would like to think I would have gotten right back to it.

Sure there are pros. Yours beats mine... http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Rochester&state=NH&site=GYX&textField1=43.3044&textField2=-70.9761&e=0 You just gotta see the bright side of things.

The above are all helpful stress relievers, but it depends on what kind of person you are. For some, quiet works wonders, others will benefit more from physical activity. Whatever works for you. I have a lot of stress at work, and feel it washing away the closer I get to home. I leave all stress behind. Having a place to unwind helps tremendously. I'm stealin' some of Twardo's suggestions, particularly the hand grenade and cutaway ones.

Glad you and your drawing arm will be ok. Mostly you though.

All the coaches there are very helpful and will work on anything with you that you need help with. Check for certain Thursday specials. Every couple weeks or so they'll have a 10 minute deal for $99. And yes, there's a group going from SNE every Thursday, for just a little more.

My last jump, about 3 weeks ago. While reaching to pull the PC, I became unstable and tumbled. The lines on the opening canopy caught around my ankle, and pulled my leg straight up. Hurt like hell. Crazy thoughts, like 'If I cut away, will this just cause a big mess?' went through my head. Luckily, I was able to pull the lines off my ankle. Still waiting for the leg to heal completely. But I did land right in the middle of the pea pit on that jump (without meaning to).

It will heal faster if you take a rest and don't keep subjecting it to trauma. And I'm not just saying that cause I have to sit on the sidelines for a couple weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIyxHL2Og3Y I think we all felt similar on our first jump. Just not as vocal.

The three rings are not threaded right.

Very nice. Good luck on your dream; you're off to a good start. "If an instructor points a finger, it means you pull..... you do not look where he has pointed." That was good.

Wow.....I fit right in here! Slowly progressing here too, though getting there. Your duck is helping a lot. It's probably a combination of both, physical and mental. Mental, as in - we're old enough to know we're not invincible anymore, like so many younger peeps tend to think, and therefore a little more cautious. Dunno....

Little wheels move it around easily. Not sure what the core is made of. The top is very cushion-y, surrounded with leather. Very well used and holds up nicely.

When you practice exits from your door step.

Thanks all for your responses.

Woohoooo! That's awesome. Congrats! Seeee? You did it!

It's not like a 'surreal serenity', like a wow-kinda moment, but rather a feeling that it's not real, like you're watching it happen. Similar to what Shredex described. Haha, not quite like the cat picture either. Thanks all for your input! I guess I'm the minority. Someone mentioned that it's probably sensory overload. I tend to agree with that. I hope I'll lose that feeling soon, as I get more jumps in. "Its more Cubism for me." Hope you get over yours as well.

Hi all.....I'm back for more questions, now that I'm committed to going through with this. After 3 tandems I took a break until I was sure I wanted to continue with the sport, then the hemangioma put a damper on things http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4288740;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread Now that I'm cleared to go without having that over my head, I'm ready, excited, and very willing to learn. I just finished AFF level 2 yesterday. Both jumps so far went well, though tumbled out on the second one due to a slight hangup on exit. Something I haven't seen mentioned before and therefore my question: Has anyone else experienced surrealism during their first jumps? I'm clear-headed enough and able to do all that is necessary, but it seems like it's all not real. To me that is a scary thought while flying thousands of feet up. I would think it's the fear playing with my head and after a couple more jumps I should be clear. I just want some confirmation that this may be normal, as I don't want to give up at this point.

Yes, the falling-to-earth-at-120-mph part takes a first time jumper by surprise. During my first tandem I remember thinking Holy Sh*t, over and over again. My 3 tandems and 15 minutes in the tunnel definitely helped me be ready. Trying to explain what it's like.....you're thrown into very unfamiliar territory with extreme winds blowing at you at 120 mph. Trying to do what you've been taught in ground school will go out the window cause you're too busy trying to make sense of what's happening. A tandem will provide a glimpse of what it's like. Reading the SIM and paying attention in the class will teach you a lot of very useful info, but doesn't touch on the actual experience of the freefall.

Skydiving Duck is my hero.

According to surgeon, that hemangioma will not come in the way of anything, including hard openings or landings. It's located in a spot where it is well cushioned by other body parts. I had taken all your information posted with me to show him, and he wasn't worried in the least. Told to go ahead and jump, if that's what I wanted to do, shaking his head with a smirk. Yaayyyy! Did my ground class 2 days ago, but no jumps due to high winds. I'm IN!

Phew! I thought I was pushing it too. 48 and starting AFF this Friday. It took me over 3 years to make up my mind after 3 tandems. I think because we're wiser and not as impulsive, we tend to make better decisions and take calculated risks.

Why would a student not continue with the sport after spending a lot of money on the training? I've noticed that a lot of posters have few jumps and haven't written for a long time, which makes me believe they don't jump anymore. Maybe it's because I'm pre-AFF and everything looks exciting from this angle, but I'd think that getting better and learning new things would just make people WANT to come back more. I had no idea DZ's had a problem keeping students. I guess I'm not contributing to answering your question, but it struck me as odd so I had to pipe in.

The tumor is 8x9 cm and on the side. Gastroenterologist and I decided to have it removed, mostly due to my active lifestyle. I don't want to have to worry about it for the rest of my life, as someone mentioned. Thanks, y'all! Sorry if this is posted on the wrong board; didn't know where to put it.

Thanks for all the advice! There's a lot of good info here. It does put things more into perspective. Topdocker.....I AM older (48 y/o female) and do like my solitude and just relaxing, but I feel much younger and am in otherwise excellent health. Skydiving is something that I really want to get into. Tunnel instead of jumping out of a plane would just be a tease. I'd really wanna do it then. I'm going to get a second opinion from a sports doc, but mostly I'll be doing some research on the operation. Hey, where there's a will there's a way, right? Thanks guys!