FallnAngel

Hi, Kimmy! I went through the tandem to AFF progression too...I was pretty hesitant about the transition from tandem to doing it on my own. Especially after another guy that was at the same level as me went tumbling for 7000' on his L4 and had his main dumped by his JM. I confessed my fears to my JM and asked for advice; here's what I got: he told me wasn't looking for perfection. He wanted me to be stable, *attempt* the turns, *attempt* the forward movement, be altitude aware, pull on time, & land safely. He then went and dirt dived with me until I was absolutely ready! The jump was far from perfect, but I learned alot and moved on from there. Something else that might help is doing a relaxation dive...that is what my hubby ended up doing, several times during AFF. He was in the AFF progression and had a really bad landing on L3 - got hurt, bloody, all that. Worst part was mentally, though...really shook him up. L4 for him was pretty awful. L5 was even worse. He worked with a JM that taught him some relaxation techniques, and then took him on a "fun" jump...He didn't have to do anything but hang out up there, pull on time, and land safely. He ended up doing one more relaxation jump before L7. I hope this helps some, Kimmy! And I wish you the best of luck with your jumps. Blue skies, light winds, Karen Forgot to add one thing: one of the techniques the JM showed my husband was this - stand up and get into your boxman, then take a deep breath and let it out through your belly button; you will naturally be in a deeper arch when you are doing this, so you will automatically be more stable. It's important to *breathe* when you're up there! Not shallow, hyper breaths, but deep belly breaths. Hope that helps! Edited by FallnAngel on 5/19/01 06:39 AM.

Like Donna, I went the tandem progression route. I definitely do not think that a single tandem jump makes you a skydiver...I know I was not. But I *was* no longer a whuffo...that I do know. As for the tandem student vs. tandem-baggage-carcass-meat-titty baby-whatever...I think tandem student is the best description, because even if they never jump again, they learned something; that makes them a student. 'Course I was pretty much worthless on my first tandem (my brain decided to stay nice & safe on the bench back in the plane ), but I was still a student because I learned some things about skydiving and I learned things about myself. Blue Skies, Karen

Good question, Brandon! My hubby & I started jumping last summer, and we're out jumping together just about every weekend! As for how jumping has effected our relationship, well...we just had our 17th wedding anniversary last week, and it only keeps getting better. (It kinda helps that we're not only deeply in love, but we're best friends, too

So *that's* where the skyvan is coming from!! Cool! I'm definitely looking forward to it, seeing as how I've only jumped from a 182 & a Caravan. We'll take good care of her! btw, how many does a skyvan hold? And how long 'til 14k? Just curious... Blue skies, sweet rides, Karen

Yeah, I've heard some really good things about Byron!! In fact, hubby & I drove out one day a few weeks ago on our lunch hour to check it out...turns out it's only about 15-20 minutes from work (in Livermore). Can you say looonngg Friday lunches?! Seemed like a nice place to jump, so maybe I'll see you out there soon! Good luck with your jumping! Blues, Karen

Good for you, Peter! That must have been a difficult jump to do, so kudos to you! Are you still in training, or graduated? Just curious as to how far you are in your progression... Blue Skies, Karen

Hi, Dan! The title is The Sky People: a History on Parachuting... and here's a description of the book: Parachutists are a breed apart, worthy of the title Sky People, for few experience the freedom and the whims and the very substance of the air as they do. This is the story of the Pioneers who showed the way; of the Show-jumpers who tied the "dicing with death" label so tightly to the parachute; of the "Caterpillars" who have leapt for life from stricken aircraft and of the test jumpers who made it possible for them to do so; of the Paratroopers who used the parachute to carry them to battle; and of the Sky Divers who jump for sheer joy. It is a story that relates the excitement, the humor, the triumph, and the tragedy that have accompanied parachuting through the years. Hope it's as good as it sounds!

Heya, Greg! I just ordered the book that Skreamer pointed me to...it called "I'm no hero, a POW story" and it was $19.95 from Amazon. Hope it hurries and gets here

Thanks for the link, Skreamer! I just ordered the book, plus one on parachuting history. (I wanted to get a book on the sport's history after doing a 2-way with a guy last weekend that was jumping a paracommander...it was so unique and cool to see him jump it and pack it, that it got me thinking about the whole history of our sport and how it has changed) So, you helped me in more ways than one and I thank you! I can't begin to imagine what he went through...he is a truly amazing person, and I can't wait until my book arrives! Blue Skies for you, Karen

Thanks for sharing that, Greg! What a great story, and what a great boost to start the week with! Btw, where did you read the story? If it was in a book, I'd really be interested in the name of it. Thanks! Blue Skies, Karen

Hey, Jack - don't worry, you'll be up there soon! Sunday is supposed to be better. I'm in the same region as you...and I came home from work yesterday to a swoop pond in front of my house! Now all I need is some way to use it! haha So good luck & have fun on Sunday!! Btw, where are you jumping? Blue Skies Soon, Karen

for beer I love Golden Bear Lager or Harps; but only if there's no Tequila around! Karen

Hubby & I would really like to go to Quincy, but...how experienced do you need to be, do you think? I have my A, and ~45 jumps right now, but have never jumped away from my home dz. Is it a good idea to have more experience with bigger groups in the sky, landing different places, etc.? What do you guys think?? Blues, Karen

that's what I did when I first got my gear, Zennie...I pulled around 8 actually. It was tons of fun, too! I did flares, found the stall point, lots of toggle turns, flat turns, you name it. By the time I entered my pattern, I was ready to land it. Stood it up too! (a true rarity for me...hahaha) Blue Skies, Karen

oh, we're here...we're just lurking 'n laughing karen

Hey, Carrie! No worries, and no need to apologize! Blue Skies, Karen

hehe...Speedy, we could be twinsies! Same # of jumps and same packing skills! Seriously, I know what you mean about not having a zp to practice on. And when you're at the dz, "packing practice" is more like "pack that sh!t up, get it in the bag/container, and jump!" I finally got my own gear about 5 weeks ago, and my skills really are improving now that I can practice at home without being rushed. What's nice, too, is you can get all packed up on Friday night, then when you get to the dz on Saturday, you're ready to roll...er...jump. Hopefully you'll be able to get your gear soon! Blue skies, Karen

Heya Zen-master! I think this might be the link you are looking for... wolmari method of packing Sweet openings, Karen

Ok, maybe I am off base here, but is it really necessary to keep posting this comment? I agree that it is a good thing to try and learn from these accidents, but the comment above adds nothing IMO. My condolences to those who knew him Karen

Well, if you've gone off the deep end Albatross, you've got lots of company! I repack my main all week long. I've got a new Spectre 170 and I'm getting better and quicker at packing her all the time. I try different ways of doing things too. (Nothing major, just things like holding the bag between my knees when making my line stows as opposed to scooting across the floor with the bag.) So, if repacking our mains is a habit, well no worries, 'cause there's alot worse! Colorful Canopies, Karen

That makes perfect sense, Slut! I got hooked up with an experienced jumper on Sunday, just spur of the moment...he had just graduated from a coaching course and one of the JM's at the dz connected us. Anyway, we did a simple 2-way, me diving out after him and docking on him. Then we released, he turned 90deg and I redocked on his side, release, then redock face-to-face. We just repeated that until 5000'. What I learned is exactly what you said, SkySlut...that when I reached out to him I not only changed my fallrate, but I was also pulling on him because I was backsliding too. When that happened I just let go of him and flew myself back into position to redock. It was a really great jump and I learned alot! In fact, he gave me his email addy so we can hook up again. How cool is that?!

Thanks Pammi! That's exactly what I was looking for! Blue Skies, Karen

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get personal checks with a skydiving theme. Gotta pay the bills...gotta skydive...may as well combine 'em, right! Thanks for any help! Blues, Karen

I believe it takes courage to be as good a human being as you can knowing that your only reward in the end will be feeling good about yourself and the (hopefully) positive effect you've had on others. As for the original question...did my beliefs change once I started jumping? No. But *I* changed! I have more confidence in myself, see more beauty around me, have more fun in my life and a bunch of new wonderful friends, among other things! Now, let's go jump!!

Now *that* I would like to try...that sounds like fun!! Hubby has a motorcycle but it's unfortuantely in need of some repairs before we can ride it. Btw, last summer when we first started skydiving we were driving down the freeway towards Sacramento and saw a guy on a motorcycle...we both did a double-take: he had his rig on! Hope his flaps were nice & snug and his pins were seated good! Don't think I'll be trying that anytime soon, even when we do get the bike fixed! Blue skies,cool rides, Karen