banesanura 1 #1 May 19, 2008 I started scouring the internet for some psychology/sociology articles about skydivers. Does any one know if there is an extensive study on what exactly the demographic is? I am curious to see if there is an "average" skydiver. Just being a newbie I know that everyone has their own different story, views, and ambitions. However is there a median in this array of creative people? A few things I am most curious about the "average skydiver" NOT in any special order: How many jumps do they complete in a life time? Differences in female/male jump numbers? Race? Does the average skydiver marry within the skydiving community? Does the average skydiver do it for just recreation- or move on to become a coach- instructor- rigger? If so is it full time or part time? How did the average skydiver complete their first jump? Tandem, AFF, Static line? And here comes the psychology part of the "average skydiver" *Defense Mechanisms *what's the family life like *fears- and emotions involved *Response to a controlled stimulis *any history of illness in family...etc. Okay you get the idea. Are there any publications that answer my questions read? If not- I am sure I can shake up my sociology professor from last semester about initiating something of the sort. Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,308 #2 May 19, 2008 You might run a search. We've done at least 4/5 Psychological Profiles geared towards skydiving over the years by various under/grad students. All said results would be provided upon request, I requested and never received results, therefore, me no do anymore.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #3 May 19, 2008 I don't think it's that we don't WANT to help. But to ask one person (or even one forum) such a broad question as what is "average". . . no one wants to answer that. No ONE really can answer that. We can just answer what "I AM" . . . . A better option might be to make out a demographic sheet and call/visit different dzs to have manifest disperse them over several weekends. Offer a case of beer or even a flash of skin to the dz that fills out the most. But even ONE dz isn't going to answer the question - the "average" at Ellisnore isn't the same as the "average" at Missouri River Valley Skydiving. And.... THEN you have to include at least one boogie in that data list. And that just gets you an idea of an "average Skydiver in America". . . . which might be a different demographic from Europe or Oz or South Africa. Your questions CAN be answered.... but it will take a little more work than posting here in the bonfire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #4 May 19, 2008 Thanks for some input- I am trying to see if I can find something so I don't have to duplicate efforts. I think some "general statistics about skydivers" would greatly benefit newbies like me...and the general population....Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #5 May 19, 2008 also look here and click on The Sky Is Falling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #6 May 19, 2008 If you are interested in the psychology of what makes some people seek out risk while others avoid it, check out: "Sensation Seeking And Risky Behavior" by Marvin Zuckerman This guy has spent decades studying it. I read his book when I was in college in the late '80's, and I see on Amazon the latest copyright is 2006, so apparently he is still updating it. Edited to add: As far as female/mail ratios, the last time I looked at the USPA membership stats, it was 14%/86%."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #7 May 19, 2008 check out a british survey?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #8 May 19, 2008 That breakdown seems better than what USPA sends out. Question: does the USPA track the skydiver's status? What do they do with their stats? I know that most of it is to require certain license's but do they track the life of jumps of a skydiver?Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #9 May 19, 2008 they surely would if you bounced and an investigation was going on.. otherwise, how would they!?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #10 May 19, 2008 Naturally they would look into that but if a skydiver retires? Isn't aren't those stats valuable? hmmm........I need some more insight. Perhaps I will start asking around.Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #11 May 19, 2008 Average skydiver is an oxymoron, skydivers are above average! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #12 May 19, 2008 Unless there is some sort of new form that you now have to file in order to retire the USPa has no idea if someone is actively jumping or not. Also until they get a notice of death they assume all the life time membership people are still jumping. That is a number of people if you go from the 80's through now that might have bought the lifetime membership then quit.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #13 May 19, 2008 That's really interesting- Maybe it might be more appropriate to ask my questions to them directly. If they assume that all members still jump- then the numbers are way off. Does the DZ keep track of every jumper and # of jumps? I am sure for accounting reasons....but how can I get access to that? Is it public record?Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #14 May 19, 2008 QuoteThat's really interesting- Maybe it might be more appropriate to ask my questions to them directly. probably, but time-consuming If they assume that all members still jump- then the numbers are way off. safe assumption Does the DZ keep track of every jumper and # of jumps? Probably only the big busy DZs like Perris, Eloy, Ottawa and Zhills, for example... Is it public record? probably not"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvar2439 0 #15 May 19, 2008 Quote I started scouring the internet for some psychology/sociology articles about skydivers. Does any one know if there is an extensive study on what exactly the demographic is? I am curious to see if there is an "average" skydiver. Just being a newbie I know that everyone has their own different story, views, and ambitions. However is there a median in this array of creative people? A few things I am most curious about the "average skydiver" NOT in any special order: How many jumps do they complete in a life time? Differences in female/male jump numbers? Race? Does the average skydiver marry within the skydiving community? Does the average skydiver do it for just recreation- or move on to become a coach- instructor- rigger? If so is it full time or part time? How did the average skydiver complete their first jump? Tandem, AFF, Static line? And here comes the psychology part of the "average skydiver" *Defense Mechanisms *what's the family life like *fears- and emotions involved *Response to a controlled stimulis *any history of illness in family...etc. Okay you get the idea. Are there any publications that answer my questions read? If not- I am sure I can shake up my sociology professor from last semester about initiating something of the sort. Brian Germain wrote a book about the mental side of skydiving, fears , thought process, etc if its any helpSo i just broke up with this woman who wasn't even my girlfriend! Hellfish #782, POPS #10664 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GflyDog 0 #16 May 27, 2008 There is nothing "average" about skydivers. We far exceed "average". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baksteen 84 #17 May 28, 2008 And we're so modest too "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
