| Author | Message | ||
     Daveinm |
I'm going skydiving for the first time in about a month. Being the adrenaline junky that I am, it sounds like a ton of fun. I am pretty nervous about it. Trying to rationalize risking my life by throwing myself out of a perfectly good plane. Then I think about riding. I'm thinking my chances of getting killed on one of my bikes, or even in a car, are higher then my chances of getting killed skydiving. Almost every time I get on my bike I think to myself "don't get killed." Riding is risky business in South Florida. My philosophy....Living is worth dying for. I wanted to see what everyone else thought. | ||
| Jessicasdad |
well .. having done both .. there really is NOTHING like hanging you feet out of an airplane at 16,000 feet ... then again .. there is nothing like an 18 wheeler trying to kill you on I-5 here in the Seattle area either .... though there is the view from the airplane ... I am going for my jump certification later this year .... | ||
| Daveinm |
I am planning on getting certified. For $300 I get instruction, gear, 7 jumps, and certification. All the jumps are alone too. The tandem jumps are $200. Just makes sense to do the certification. Besides, I'm not to keen on strapping myself to some guy and jumping out of a plane. Seems a little too close to me  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Vertical envelopment is much safer than riding. In fact, and I can't find my reference, it's the second safest form of mass vertical transportation on the planet. G2 | ||
| Chainsaw |
Expensive habit to get into, but you'll love it.  I've only jumped twice, did my first jump at 16 in Austin, TX, static line deployment on an old round 'chute. Wind shifted after I jumped, I landed 1/2 mile from the drop zone dangerously close to Power Lines, a barbed wire fence and cactus. The chute had a forward speed of ~15mph and the wind was ~25mph. That means I landed backwards at 10mph! Hit feet first, then ass, then head. Wear a helmet! Wind dragged me on the ground towards the cactus and barbed wire. Collapsed the chute just in time. I was 10' tall and bulletproof for about 3 days. Last jump was 1996 in Arizona, static line on a nice square 'chute. I got to hang off the wing strut of the plane for a photo op ala Superman (but mostly so I could jump clear of the fixed landing gear). Damn shame the DI dropped his Nikon at 5000 feet. Landed uneventfully on my feet in nice soft sand. | ||
| Cmm213 |
I go for my second jump in spring, I think its very safe even though all the stuff they show you in class. Just pay attention and you will be fine. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Just one of those things that I don't think I will do. I get nervous just thinking about it. | ||
| No_rice |
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT! just unbelievable. do it once and you will be hooked for the rest of your life, even if its the only time u are able to do it. the way i look at it, is i am going to die sometime, why let it control my life until i do. go after everything you want because there is only so much time in life for it. (Message edited by no_rice on February 06, 2006) | ||
| Daveinm |
Yeah, I feel the same way rice. But then again, I use to be with cataract. Here's the thing. I look back at all the guys in WWII that jumped with a ton of gear, straight into battle, getting shot at, and at night. I just feel like a sissy if I'm too scared to just jump | ||
| Diablobrian |
what's more dangerous? Sky diving while riding bikes!  | ||
| Buellin_ri |
what's more dangerous? Sky diving while riding bikes! sky diving while riding bikes without a parachute!  | ||
| Jesse370 |
I went tandum...To me its the only way to fly...Too many bad things can happen in the air if you are flying solo, and I wouldn't want to worry about a instructor being able to settle everything down in the air......And at the massive drop zone near my place to be able to take a person tandum you have to have thousands of jumps under your belt, those guys will get you down safely and all you have to do is really enjoy the ride. Much better IMOP And while it was the most incredible thing I have ever done, when I jumped out that plane tandum my legs were going nuts...I was loving it, my body was freaking out. Instructor locked up my legs and everything was fine after that. | ||
| Kootenay |
Don't just jump, strap on a board and go skysurfing! I've never done it--I've never jumped at all--but I brought home a magazine with a pic of a guy skysurfing on the cover, and my wife (who knows me too well) told me she wanted nothing to do with me if I was gonna try that! Turns out, of course, that you have to be a highly experienced parachuter before even trying it--and besides, I have too many sports going now as it is (what with Buelling to add to the list), I don't have the time, never mind the money... | ||
| Yoda |
I used to jump when I was in the Marines. It was all static line with a bunch of crap strapped to you. Still, it was exciting and actually quite peaceful while floating through the air. It was only when you smacked the ground that the fun stopped. I have smacked the ground on a motorcycle too. Not fun or peaceful! My advice, jump at least once. | ||
| Steve_larson |
Couple of us here are certified, and can tell you that there is nothing like it! The ride to the drop zone is 100 times more dangerous, skydiving is actually quite peaceful and relaxing! Best of all, there are drop zones all over the world, so like bikes, it is all about the area, the people (and WOW are there some interesting ones in skydiving!), the jump and the fun! Keep the drugs and alcohol out until after, the results are the same as bikes. And just like bikes, there is a saying that works... "If you're going to be stupid, you better be tough." Enjoy it! Steve Larson Micron Exhausts | ||
| Skyguy |
Skydiving is ok and not more dangerous than motorcycles. I prefer paragliding to skydiving though. I can stay up for hours and pull 70mph 5g spiral dives. Did a few accelerated freefall jumps and was bored by the third one. Most of us Hangglider/Paraglider guys think jumping out of planes is not near as good as staying up and playing. Enjoy yourself though! | ||
| Keys |
Before I took my first jump, I checked out the DZ online. I checked their accreditation, safety record, instructor's record. The only thing I didn't think to check was the safety of the airplane! It was the rattiest cessna I'd ever seen. Loose bolts all over the floor. SO I was NOT jumping out of a perfectly good airplane! info http://www.uspa.org/about/page2/relative_safety.htm My opinion is that motorcycle riding is "more dumber" | ||
| Djkaplan |
It's not so much the danger dying that would make me nervous, it's the 2 minutes of screaming before impact that gives me the heebie-jeebies. | ||
| Jyd |
I have done about 50 jumps, 10 static line and the rest free fall. The fear is very real the first jump, but that goes away (still leaving you with lots of excitement every time you jump after that). Safety depends how you measure it I suppose. # Deaths vs. # of jumps, incredibly safe. # Deaths vs. time spent in the air, probably would not seem as safe. Of the skydiving accidents I'm educated about, many are due to overconfidence, such as experienced jumpers climbing into the plane without all their gear strapped on and somehow (seems incredible, yes), going out without gear, forgetting to strap everything in right, jumping while inebriated, etc. Every time you jump, except in BASE jumping, you have a main and a reserve. For new jumpers, they highly recommend jumping with a Cypres, which is a trade name for a device that automatically opens your reserve chute at a low altitude if it detects that you are still falling (air pressure high, and rapidly getting higher). So you could fall out of the plane unconscious, and if the landing zone was flat and unobstructed, maybe just break an ankle or something. They are expensive and some experienced jumpers won't use them. As far as tandem vs. solo, I put my faith in solo jumping, even at the beginning. Deaths can occur while tandem jumping if the "passenger" gets rattled and knocks the instructor unconscious with their helmet, if you land in water and can't get free of each other to swim to safety, etc. If you jump solo, you bet your life that you or your Cypress can at least open your reserve, and it was packed correctly (by a certified rigger) so it will inflate. It is not unheard of for a parachute to release but not inflate, and the streamer effect will slow down your terminal velocity from 100-120 mph down to a survivable speed on impact. No way is that possible when jumping tandem. When you jump tandem, you bet your life that your instructor or the Cypress can open the reserve, AND you are betting that a bunch of other possible disasters don't happen. It is not that hard to grab a metal buckle and pull right, then down (to open your reserve). I would trust myself, even though I'm still a rookie, than someone else. My $.02.  | ||
| Roadrage |
I've never had a Buick turn in front of me while in freefall. | ||
| Cmm213 |
My JM told us that the majority of injuries last year came from expert jumpers doing things that they know they shouldnt be doing. Especially when someone starts using a small chute, they are extremely fast and drop much faster. My jump master left the plane way after I did and he landed right after me, he came down haulen A$$ to a sliding knee down landing. I was short for words for about a hour= great time! | ||
| U4euh |
The most stress relieving thing you can do with your clothes on. The last three seconds befroe departing the plane are the worst. So many thoughts going through your head, the thought process actually shuts down. Enjoy it, have fun, be safe. Let us know how you liked it. | ||
| Trac95ker |
Daveinm, I read your post and figured I should respond. I use to shoot video for a competition 4-way team. A few years before that I went through AFF. I'd like to give you overview based on my experience. If this is something you are just curious about, do a tandem jump for your first. There's nothing like having an instructor take you out the door from 13,500 to the ground at a 120 mph safely!!! It can be overwhelming for most. Remember, it's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop. Having said that, its better than anything I've done. It is an amazing experience!!!! The difference between other air sports is that the adrenaline hits you like a ton of bricks rather than in increments. If you decide this is the sport for you, let me clue you in on what to expect. For most jumpers, Skydiving is a lifestyle. I have seen people sell all there stuff and move to the DZ. It also destoys relationships. This sport is like crack!! It's very addictive and cost lots of money. If you don't have a minimum of $1400 for lessons, and $4,000 to $6,000 for gear. I would advise doing a tandem and thinking real hard about this. It cost to much to rent student gear and it sucks. It's totally safe but once you have 50 or 60 jumps you'll want to get rid of the training wheels. After you pay for gear, it costs around $20 a jump. That don't sound bad?... Most people jump as much as they can afford. $200 a weekend is nothing, now times that by three or four weekends a month. Don't forget about beer, food, and gas,( A first in skydiving requires you to buy a case of decent bottled beer.) The first time you faceplant land on the runway, first two way, first time you land in the peas, whatever... Someone is going to say,"case of beer" They do keep track of that! Instructors get thirsty after making eight to twenty jumps a day!!! This tradition keeps the beer flowing around the bonfire. This is not a sport you do once a month. Before you get your A license you have to go at least once every thirty days. Thats no way to do it though. Its best to save up the cash and pay for all your jumps at once. The more jumps you make in one weekend the better chance you have at passing the level. It's a little cheaper if its paid for all up front. The first AFF lesson costs $300 plus 6 to 8 hours of class. If you are fortunate to pass the 7 required levels in 7 jumps, it might only cost you around $1400. Most people don't pass in 7 jumps. It usually takes 10. USPA was restructuring the process to include more levels with more effort on canopy control. I don't know if that was mandatory for all USPA DZ's, it's been a couple of years. It is not that easy to pull a handle at 120mph!!! And for the AAD (automatic activation device), that is the last thing you want to rely on. If you are not altitude aware, youre dead. Remember when you're a student there are tasks to accomplish(PRCP's,Circle of awareness,altitude checks, waving off at 5,500',pulling at 4,500' and trying to fly a canopy, staying in the flight pattern, etc... and land it. It's more fun to not have to think so much and enjoy the ride. Not to mention a short video and instruction, less than an hour. The guy strapped to your back is a good thing!!! When you sit in the plane, its on the floor,legs spread with a jumper sitting up against you. The DZ makes money buy cramming in the max allowable weight. You won't see or feel him in freefall. It sensory overload!!! Some people puke or go into the fetal position too. I hope I didn't scare you away. I'm just excited, I miss it. It is incredible!!!My body is to battered to go anymore. Plan on spending the whole weekend at the DZ. Make sure where you go is a USPA DZ. You will have more fun if you jump out of a Twin Otter or at least a King Air. It's cool to see the experienced jumpers exit first. Wear sweats and sneakers. no boots with hooks for eyelets. It's 20degrees colder at altitude. Bring a case of beer, don't get wasted the night before and pay attention. Jump in steady winds no gusts. In skydiving you are responsible for yourself. Lawsuits don't hold up in court! I'm excited for you!! Post when you get back!!! Blue Skys (Message edited by trac95ker on February 08, 2006) | ||
| Skyguy |
Try a paraglider......... Less money, more hours flying........ I love making skydivers scream...... I have converted several........ Like motorcycles (unlike skydiving) you have to make lots of decisions every flight. Personaly I did not find skydiving to be very challenging. Not to diss skydivers though because anyone that flys outside the box has my respect. | ||
| Daveinm |
That was a long post Trac I'm not rich by any means, but I do spend money on my sports. I just came back from a week long trip to Breckenridge and Vail, I own a mountain bike that is almost worth as much as my XB, and I'm active in these sports all year (except for snowboarding, obviously). I live in South Florida, so I'm always doing something, even in the rain. For this reason, I think I could live with a jump a month. I know it's gonna be way too much fun to just do a tandem once. As far as classes and gear, I didn't realize that everything was so expensive. I just figured I could use one of these  http://www.ssww.com/browse/?grp=SPF&sbgrp=PAR&PHPSESSID=16ed34934bfaa5e57b91d9c0 e3d73140 Seriously though, I just did some research and found that the equipment is quite expensive. The cost of renting gear and jumping will keep me from going overboard, I think It just seems like getting the license makes more sense than the tandem. I know I'm gonna go enough to warrant getting licensed. I think it'll make it more fun too. Thanks for all the info! I've gaining 10 lbs. since Hurricane Wilma destroyed the mountain bike trails I ride daily, so I want to drop some weight and get back in shape before I go. So I'm not exactly sure when I'm going, but I will definitely post back. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Go for it, tandem or solo, whatever is availible. Check the company you want to use, go out to the DZ and watch some jumps, make sure you feel comfortable with the group running the place. Remember what one sky diver said "I didn't say Geronimo, I said I don't want to go"! I have logged just over 100 free falls and 24 military jumps. I came up with only a couple bumps and bruises doing the military jumps (hard landings), jumping the old T10 parachute. My skydiving rig was a seven gore double L, it always let me down nicely. I like to say I have done it all from sky diving to scuba diving. There are two things I won't do. One being hang gliding (loose lift and you are gone), the second would be bungee jumping (most outfits are like carnival rides and besides I would have give my weight). | ||
| Skyguy |
BCord What is "loose Lift"? I have flying hang and paragliders for 13 years and over 3,600 hours and I have never heard of "lose lift". Paraglider pilots keep it up longer Woman dont want a skydiver. They only last 60 seconds.......... I have done it all by the way. Scuba, hang, para, skydiving, skiing, Hot air balloons, sail planes, Mountain bikes (anyone want to buy a tricked out Merlin). rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, bungy, rollerblades, extreme 4x4's and motorcycles. The best rushes have been? Bungy, whitewater kayaking and motorcycles fast in the canyons. The most overall fun so far has been paragliding and hangliding. The biggest disapointment for me was skydiving. Of course I unlike most skydiving noobs was already very comftorable with being in the air. Hell I have been way higher in my paraglider than skydivers jump at. (personal best was 22,000 feet). My least favorite was the rock climbing. funny but I hated it. I have all the toys except the damm sailplane and of course no climbing gear....... Hmmm. no wonder I never ave any money lol. | ||
| Kootenay |
The best rushes have been? Bungy, whitewater kayaking and motorcycles fast in the canyons. I admit, I've never gone skydiving--not that it doesn't sound like a blast, but there's just so much preparation for such a short ride. But, I agree with Skyguy, whitewater kayaking is right up there at the top, if adrenaline rush is what you're after. Check my profile... But, I must also admit that I haven't tried bungee jumping either--mostly because there looks to be no skill involved at all, my grandmother could probably do it. I'm sure it's a rush, but I prefer activities where I can affect the outcome through application of my own skills... I hear ya on the "No wonder I never have any money" thing, though. Too many sports, not enough time or money...seems you can have either, time or money, but not both... | ||
| Trac95ker |
You're going to have to form your own opinion. I'm a sports junkie and for me nothing beats skydiving. Paragliding is cool but it don't give you the same rush. Goto Skydive palmbeach. Be safe and have fun!!! | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Skyguy, a number of hang gliders over the years have been either seriously hurt or killed when doing a steep turn at relatively low altitudes. The kite would spill a lot air and slip. I think that is one of the major reasons that Palo Verde cliffs were closed years ago. I did notice a bunch still flying La Jolla the last time by there. My terminology may be incorrect but the effect is the same. |
