bocabruce1

did not know there was a thread police bocabruce

When the CYPRES deployed my reserve I came too...looked at altimeter and it was dead on zero. I looked down and knew what was about to happen in 3.8 seconds. I was landing vertical and thinking PLF, so my left ankle was compound and I have a plate and 7 screws in my right. It's been 90 days since the accident and I am now walking again, but done with skydiving. bocabruce

I went through the seven levels of AFF and then had 3 solo jumps...actually the last was my third. bocabruce

I fought like hell to find the hackey and reserve handles but the spin blacked me out bocabruce

AFF I was on my 13th jump. First Load. First Out. bocabruce

Normal exit yet could never get stable. Began spiral spin and I was out at about 2500 feet. The AAD deploed a deformed reserve at 650' and I landed on the run way. Only broke both ankles. Grateful for my life and grateful for CYPRES. bocabruce

sure. I think so. bocabruce

I guess I want to stil be considered a skydiver...maybr retired? bocabruce

Had hard landing and broke both ankles. When I get back on my feet I am hesitate to jump again.If I don't jump again am I still a skydiver? bocabruce

On Level 7 and my first 2solos I had a great dive exit and gained stability quickly. Made some manuvers, flips and rolls then pulled at 5500'. Good canopy control but tended to fl;air a little too soon but never hurta anything but mu tslibone. This dive exit was different as suggested bu another thandem master./...and so I did a immeditely was out of control and could not get stability. Finally i was in a spin and looking for my Hackey. Was nt there and the sppinning must have casued me to pass ot perhaps. the cypres deployed at 650' they say and the ankle were cruched by impat bocabruce

it really happened. I am in a wheel chair for he next 7 weeks bocabruce

Last May I went on my first tandum with Buzz. It was so great I went on a second tandum again with Buzz. I was convinced that this was something I wanted to do, had to do. Must do. So, I scraped up $1200.00 and went for the AFF. I graduated with beautiful jumps and great landings. I really felt like this was something I could do. I am 50 yrs old and never been athletic. This is just a gravity sport. Two weeks ago I had a nightmare in freefall. I can't explain exactually what happened cause I do not know. But when I felt the cypress fire at 650 feet I shattered both ankles and my life has changed. I can't imagine ever jumping again and it makes me sad. Pray for me. Thanks for everyone who helped me and blue skies. bocabruce

It's all been a great experience. I love the freedom in freefall and the canopy ride is the best! My landing has greatly improved. Thanks to everyone at the Lake Wales dropzone in Florida. I feel like I have new family. Starting at age 50 seemed strange at first, but what a great way live out the rest of my life. Thanks again! bocabruce

Why would you say "maybe skydiving isn't for you"? Maybe skydiving isn't for anyone who ever had an injury from the sport. You never had an injury in your career? bocabruce

First tandem age 50. Now on AFF Level 6. Still age 50. LOL bocabruce

Thanks for the new insight. There is a lot to learn, not only about skydiving, but also about the culture and lifestyle. Being new to this forum has given me a better perspective of ability and attitude. Thanks! bocabruce

Level 5 was my Cat D-II jump. MY next level 6 is Cat E-1. My maneuvers so far has been tracking and turns with a solo dive exit. I just feel as aprepaid student there should be an AFF Instructor available and not being called off to another DZ and leave me hanging. bocabruce

At my DZ I prepaid for all levels of AFF. I completed level 5 last Sunday. Now the DZ is telling me there may not be an AFF Instructor for me to jump this weekend. The owners are pulling everyone to another DZ they own. How should I feel about this and what should I do? bocabruce

I am on AFF Level V. My first jumps were with a Manta 230. My last jump was a Nav 240. I didnt like the way the rig fit and felt, but I jumped it anyways. Then when I flared there was a line knot (we guess) on the left side and wouldnt flare all the way. I dont want to fly this rig again, is it ok to say no? bocabruce

AFF Level IV jump yesterday. Had different student rig. Didnt like the way it fit, but did it anyways. Good exit, good body position, good COA, good pull, good ride...then I flared too soon and landed on my tailbone which is bruised. Ouch! bocabruce

WOW, okay (smile) Ground school was good and grueling. An overload of information. Three or four loads went up before I finished the day, but by afternoon the weather would not cooperate. And besides, all the fun jumpers had left. So, I went home and could think of nothing but dive flow. Could not sleep and woke at 5:50 this morning thinking about guess what, position, check in, check out, prop, up, down, arch! Got to the DZ at 8:40 am and after getting settled in with manifest I began rehearsing the level I jump. You know how it goes. My AFF instructors are great, Pip and Matt. By 10 am, beautiful blue skies, we reached altitude of 17k. We were the last. Exit went well, was not aware of altitude as well as I should have and got shook like a blanket in the sky! Had hard time locating on practice touches. Pip helped me out! Pull was late, 4500'. Opening was hard! OUCH! Canopy Check...picture perfect, now I can have some fun...good approach and good landing (on my butt, but good nonetheless) Good flare at about 8 feet. Okay, WOW...so thats what its like...OMG! What have I done? The rush was awesome and all I could do was smile and thank everyone...then we celebrated with COOKIES!!! Debrief, gezzzz, I heard it all...the freefall sucked...I wasnt aware enough, but I did experience good canopy control, and the landing was sweet. On to Level II: Good exit! Good altitude awareness, Good arch, 2 practice touches (good) left turn, dropped shoulder but turned. Same with right turn. Forward manuver. Altitude check every 3-5 seconds. Circle of awareness (good) 6000' locked on, 5500' wave off and PULL. Canopy check ( good) Square, stable and steerable. OK where am I? Good pull, soft opening...but I couldnt find the drop zone LOL OK there it is. WHat direction am I heading in...crap, where's the red/white circle??? OK, theres the hanger, theres the north landing area, theres the south, ok, I am suppose to land in the south side...wheres the sock, hey the radio not working. Gezzz, no sock, no radio and I am coming in fast 1000' base turn...wheres the sock? NO wind. ??? Not sure if there is or not. 700' too high for final I thought so I turned to do a short figure eight, but turned outside instead of inside. OKAY! final approach, gee I am coming in fast...man, I am coming in down wind...fast, 30' partial flare...oh no theres the Tarmac approaching and a big wet, sloppy plot of ground to my right at about 18' I completed my flare and bounce a couple of time on my butt and got dirty....I was way down on the east end of the south side...got to my feet, looked to the sky and waved at Chad coming to get me LOL Debrief! AWESOME! bocabruce

You're right, there is much evidence for the reality of death and some do die. However, I don't believe in death, but I do believe in life everlasting. bocabruce

come to Lake Wales, Florida great weather great DZ bocabruce

I turned 50 in May of this year. My life has been full of toys and playin' games. Then I went tandem. Then I went tandem again. Now I begin AFF next Friday morning. Why do I jump! It gives me a feeling of being in control of my life. I don't believe in death, so there is no fear. Jumping gives me a sense of freedom and with freedom come power. The power to soar like an eagle high above the clouds! I love jumping! bocabruce

Definition of epiphany on the Web: a divine manifestation My first tandem and I knew! Completely relaxed and full awareness. Start AFF July 10th...more epiphanies coming! bocabruce