corpkid 0 #1 June 11, 2003 Hey all! Well, I am doing my first tandem this weekend (my 26th b-day) and am exceptionally psyched. I am sure that this is going to become an addiction for me! Esp. since I only live about 15 minutes from Deland, FL (a great DZ I hear). Anyways - some questions to make this first jump the BEST jump: 1) I have recently come down with some killer allergies and have a "head cold" kind of feeling. Will this really mess me up? Should I take a decongestant or just let it be? 2) I've heard it is cold up there. Considering it's like 85 degrees by 10AM (when I jump) what should I wear? 3) Any tips to maximize this fun!? My buddy said he had wished that someone told him to keep his mouth closed - he didn't and had a hard time breathing as the air rushed in... Nothing serious, just a "minor factor". Well, again, I am totally psyched and can't wait to jump and then start working towards my licenses!!!! Thanks for the advice! -Dominic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iowa 0 #2 June 11, 2003 Welcome to the sport! A decongestant (non-drowsy) might not be a bad idea. It's usually not too cold. Shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes should be fine. If they want you in a jumpsuit, they'll give you one to wear. When you're done screaming "yeah baby", close your mouth. Relax. Don't get fixated on the ground. Look around, like for the camera person. Check all this out with your instructor. Call them now. Have a balst. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuke 0 #3 June 11, 2003 Quote 3) Any tips to maximize this fun Video, video, video.............. /M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christoofar 0 #4 June 11, 2003 Advise from experience (no, not mine own, just from observations..) Don't eat a burrito... or any other kind of Mexican food, the morning of the jump. PLEASE. Thank you. ____________________________________________________________ I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #5 June 11, 2003 Quote1) I have recently come down with some killer allergies and have a "head cold" kind of feeling. Will this really mess me up? Should I take a decongestant or just let it be? You know how when you fly you have to clear your ears; same thing. Take some nondrowsy allergy or cold medicine -- whatever works for you. 2) I've heard it is cold up there. Considering it's like 85 degrees by 10AM (when I jump) what should I wear? Ditto on the shorts and T-shirt. I wouldn't recommend a collar to flap around. Make sure your shoes do not have hooks/speed laces and are comfortable. 3) Any tips to maximize this fun!? My buddy said he had wished that someone told him to keep his mouth closed - he didn't and had a hard time breathing as the air rushed in... Nothing serious, just a "minor factor". Video and stills!! Depending on the instructor and your stomach. You may do a flip out the door and spin around. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BenGriffiths 0 #6 June 11, 2003 Quote1) I have recently come down with some killer allergies and have a "head cold" kind of feeling. Will this really mess me up? Should I take a decongestant or just let it be? First of all Welcome to the Sport. If your cold is particullarly bad - I would consider postponing your jump for week. Jumping with blocked sinuses is not fun.---------- Ben G Still Sinking :-( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skymama 37 #7 June 11, 2003 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BBKid 0 #8 June 11, 2003 The allergies may not actually exist. It's not uncommon for people who really want to make a jump to suddenly feel ill or sick-hungry when they are about to get on the plane. I think it's your body's way of preventing you from doing something stupid. I know I've 'fractured a leg' a few times climbing out onto the step of a 182, but as long as I keep jumping it's fine. That said, a Vicks inhaler spray works in freezing English winter for me! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites annieoakley 0 #9 June 11, 2003 I recently jumped for the first time, too. It was supposed to be for my 26th birthday, but the weather was too bad in January to go. I definitely recommend photos and video, especially video. I've watched mine probably 20 times since I got it. Even with my mouth shut, I still felt like I couldn't breathe at first. Just relax, and remember that you actually CAN breathe, it just feels a little different. Enjoy your first jump, it is an awesome experience that you will want to do over and over again."Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education" - Mark Twain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites corpkid 0 #10 June 12, 2003 Thanks all for the Advice, I'm sure it will help! This seems like a really great group of people and I look forward to meeting some of you at the DZ! Anyways, even though I haven't jumped yet, I'm sure I am going to love this and can't wait to start my AFF and do some solo jumps! I was wondering, what is the "usual" way that people (learners/noobies) get their own equipment? Do you outgrow it, therefore not purchase new until you get better? (like skiing)? So many questions... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skymama 37 #11 June 12, 2003 Quotewhat is the "usual" way that people (learners/noobies) get their own equipment? I think most people rent gear from their dz and downsize to where they are comfortable and then buy new or used gear at that size. This is a good option if you need to save up some money for a rig, which run on the average of $3500-$4000 for everything. But, at about $60/day to rent the gear, you don't want to do this for too long because it's not very cost effective. I've had 2 rigs in 260 jumps and they've both been new ones. Pretty soon I'll probably downsize to the next smaller canopy, but keep the same container, reserve and AAD. But, my progression is a lot more conservative than most people, especially guys. I know a lot of other people who have way more jumps than me and they've only had used gear. It just all depends on what you are looking for.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
BenGriffiths 0 #6 June 11, 2003 Quote1) I have recently come down with some killer allergies and have a "head cold" kind of feeling. Will this really mess me up? Should I take a decongestant or just let it be? First of all Welcome to the Sport. If your cold is particullarly bad - I would consider postponing your jump for week. Jumping with blocked sinuses is not fun.---------- Ben G Still Sinking :-( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 June 11, 2003 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BBKid 0 #8 June 11, 2003 The allergies may not actually exist. It's not uncommon for people who really want to make a jump to suddenly feel ill or sick-hungry when they are about to get on the plane. I think it's your body's way of preventing you from doing something stupid. I know I've 'fractured a leg' a few times climbing out onto the step of a 182, but as long as I keep jumping it's fine. That said, a Vicks inhaler spray works in freezing English winter for me! Nick --------------------------- "I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annieoakley 0 #9 June 11, 2003 I recently jumped for the first time, too. It was supposed to be for my 26th birthday, but the weather was too bad in January to go. I definitely recommend photos and video, especially video. I've watched mine probably 20 times since I got it. Even with my mouth shut, I still felt like I couldn't breathe at first. Just relax, and remember that you actually CAN breathe, it just feels a little different. Enjoy your first jump, it is an awesome experience that you will want to do over and over again."Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education" - Mark Twain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corpkid 0 #10 June 12, 2003 Thanks all for the Advice, I'm sure it will help! This seems like a really great group of people and I look forward to meeting some of you at the DZ! Anyways, even though I haven't jumped yet, I'm sure I am going to love this and can't wait to start my AFF and do some solo jumps! I was wondering, what is the "usual" way that people (learners/noobies) get their own equipment? Do you outgrow it, therefore not purchase new until you get better? (like skiing)? So many questions... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #11 June 12, 2003 Quotewhat is the "usual" way that people (learners/noobies) get their own equipment? I think most people rent gear from their dz and downsize to where they are comfortable and then buy new or used gear at that size. This is a good option if you need to save up some money for a rig, which run on the average of $3500-$4000 for everything. But, at about $60/day to rent the gear, you don't want to do this for too long because it's not very cost effective. I've had 2 rigs in 260 jumps and they've both been new ones. Pretty soon I'll probably downsize to the next smaller canopy, but keep the same container, reserve and AAD. But, my progression is a lot more conservative than most people, especially guys. I know a lot of other people who have way more jumps than me and they've only had used gear. It just all depends on what you are looking for.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
