FL_new_jumper

Thanks for the thread NWFlyer :)

New to the sport (AFF 5) I never thought this would be the case... but canopy flying is one of my favorite parts of this sport... but Holy crap!! came across this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ydJW1N7w2c&feature=related It scared the you know what out of me! I apologize if it has been posted before... ... just wondering what experienced skydivers think about what happened here??

OK... (bowing).. I'm not worthy...

DSE- This is a skydiving forum, not a medical one... however... First, the article you are quoting is 10 years old (from 1991).. second, it talks about the weakening of bones AFTER the removal of hardware.. third.. your own quote says.. "The reasons for removing hardware include discomfort from the metal objects under the skin and impingement when muscles or tendons rub on the metal pieces." There is NO reason to remove plates / screws UNLESS they are causing pain, limited motion, infection, etc. The fact is the hardware is STRONGER than the bone itself (duh).. so any injury to the area would most most likely occur above or below the original injury... as one doctor told me, "If you have any impact strong enough to break a titanium plate or screw, soft tissue injuries due to those fragments will be the least of your worries." believe me, I have had these conversations with numerous EXPERTS .. ad nauseum.. I stick to to my original point.. don't listen to me or anyone else on the internet.. ask your doctor.. or several of them as I have.

PiLFy - Do you have a medical degree?? Any experience with orthopedic surgery?? Have any idea what you are talking about?? While my skydiving experience is limited, my experience with titanium plates and screws inside my body is extensive. guineapiggie101 - There is NO reason for you to put yourself through ANY additional surgery if the hardware in your leg is not causing serious complications. Having been through this a few times (two plates and 16 screws myself) and being treated by EXPERTS in the field, including teams of orthopedic surgeons who are leaders in their profession and treat professional athletes, NOT ONE has ever told me there is any risk of extra injury if it occurs near the original surgery site. As a matter of fact, the standard procedure now is to leave hardware alone for the life of the patient unless it is causing some complication... even if the patient is going back to the same high risk activity that caused the injury in the first place. But don't listen to me.. my point is.. don't listen to ANYBODY... except your doctors.. and your instructors!

OK.. so I'm new to the sport.. can't find answers to 2 "dumb" questions... 1. I know the jump plane slows down just before we exit.. but how fast is it going when we jump? 2. Who closes the door? Does it just stay open until the plane lands?

Or maybe this isn't the sport for you. There has to be a threshold ratio between the number of jumps and the number of broken bones. But if I don't jump again how will I improve my average? It's all good!

popsjumper.. You are 100% right! I had every intention of doing an awesome PLF... however.. instict took over and pulled up my feet at the last second... I DO NOT recommend (as if i can recommend anything with 6 whole jumps) anyone jumping with injuries... I just wanted to share... it was my birthday.. not the smartest thing to do.. but it worked out... I will NOT be jumping again until everthing is completely healed!

Okaaaayy.. so update on the injury thing.. 12 weeks later.. did my AFF level 3.. passed.. but flared early again and broke 2 bones in my OTHER foot (MOTHER &*%$!) however... a week later did my level 4 on my B-Day (Sunday) and no new injuries!!!! (Butt landing!) Had a GREAT time even though I have to do it over... no one told me it is WAY easier to turn on your own than when two instructors are hanging on to you

I will.. and congrats to you too! Your story helped me have a little more patience... always nice to know your not alone. As you know, it's not easy being "grounded". We'll see how it goes and I'll let you know..

I just wanted to thank EVERYONE for your responses! This forum has kept me occupied (and lessened the depression) while on the mend. I have been practicing my PLFs and I WILL be back in the sky on Sunday! Ankle took a little longer then expected to heal and weather sucked last weekend... but can't wait to continue AFF Sunday. I will be paying a LOT more attention to my landings.

Awesome suggestion! Thanks!

I have patience.. and plan to be jumping for a long time ... figured it would be a lower number.. but.. guess we'll have to wait.. and thanks for the info!

I realize this is a dorky noob question but.... I am an AFF student and was wondering what the rules are for licensed jumpers jumping with tandems. I have friends / loved ones who want to jump tandem and I would LOVE to jump with them (not as the instructor obviously) just to at least be near them in freefall. I was just wondering if there are rules against this.. it it DZ specific.. has anyone done it?

I'm with Cazmo... first jump was after I was 45.. BTW - "THIS" really hurt! (check the photo) Still loving it though! Have fun!

Just another skydiving-related incident? Now THAT'S funny! .. I don't care who you are...

Heck yeah.. about eight weeks ago.. dreamt i flared early.. felt like i was falling forever.. heard a snap when i hit.. had to have ankle surgery... bracket and 9 screws to put me back together.. wait.. sorry, my mistake.. that actually happened ... but I do dream about getting back in the air!

I asked my surgeon (on Monday) when I could get back to "normal" activity. He asked what I wanted to do.. so I said well.. what if I were to jump off this chair.. when would you say I wouldn't get injured any more than if I hadn't had the surgery.. Having the wisdom of an accomplished ankle surgeon he said, "What EXACTLY are you trying to ask me?" I said, "Well I want to get back to skydiving..." His response was, "Oooh, skydiving... no problem... you can skydive, it's good for business!" Not exactly the answer I was looking for.. but thought everyone might get a kick out of it.

While this "little" incident has been able to insert a doubt or two into my head about my abilities, there was never any doubt about continuing. I want to get back up there ASAP!

If it makes you feel any better, I am recovering from breaking my ankle in two places on my second (that's right I said second) AFF jump! I attached a pretty picture if you feel like seeing the hardware that is holding me together. I was more angry than depressed at first. I hated that I made a mistake that not only has made me wait to jump again but gave fuel to all my Whuffo friends and family who don't want me jumping. I am sure everyone is different but I have not been back to the DZ since it happened eight weeks ago (but plan on going soon). I would not feel comfortable wandering around a DZ on crutches. Anyway, long story short I have learned to stay positive, ignore the naysayers, and chalk it up to a learning experience. Remember how much you love it and relax and have fun. Blue Skies!

OK, I don't want to play devil's advocate here but.... Thinking is NOT a bad thing. I am a student with a whopping 2 tandem jumps and 2 AFF jumps. So from a beginners point of view: My level 1 I landed perfectly, no thanks to any radio input! DO NOT rely on radios.. at my DZ you can't hear a darn thing! However, level 2 I was thinking about getting in the pickup vehicle before my feet even touched the ground. Result: flared too early, didn't PLF (tuck and roll) and ended up with a fractured ankle in 2 places. (see the lovely pic attached) I am in my 7th week of recovery but I can't wait to get back up there in a couple weeks. The moral - ALWAYS keep your head in the game and listen to your instructors!

My two cents... To be clear ... I am VERY new to the sport but I have experience at Skydive Deland and Skydive Space Center (Titusville)... Deland is MUCH more friendly towards students and coaching. Space Center is really cool for tandem jumps but they are definitely the priority there. I have not met an instructor at Deland that is not friendly and willing to give students advice. I am currently enrolled in Deland's AFF and cannot say enough about the professionalism, DZ facilities, and aircraft. Have fun!

Didn't tickle But walked away.. gathered up my 'chute.. dropped it off at the packing hanger.. went to dinner... wasn't going to let anyone know it was bad.. no one at the DZ had a clue.. next morning couldn't hide it though!

You hit the nail on the head. I too was looking straight down (which I was specifically told NOT to do) which made me flare early. I also was taught to ride out the flare, which I did. Sticking my foot out to meet the ground was my final mistake.. a decent PLF would have saved me. In my case, it took a string of mistakes to get injured.. live and learn. Just for fun.. here is an x-ray of my hardware

I agree on not relying on radios. Don't get me wrong here.. I screwed up. During AFF ground class we did touch on PLF (practiced a few times) but having stood up the first landing.. I was thinking about getting in the pick up vehicle before my feet even hit the ground. Just goes to show ALWAYS have your head in the game.