ISO some serious advice

[skyscallin 0]

So, I started jumping last memorial day weekend and was hooked instantly. I made 27 jumps between memorial day weekend and mid July. Then I had to go away for two weeks for summer camp for the military and shortly after I returned a fellow jumper from my dz died in a skydiving accident and I sort of got a lil freaked out. I did jump a few times afterwards, but only a few and haven't been back up since the end of July.
Since then, I continue to have dreams about jumping, I continue to thinking about it on a daily basis and feel like I can't wait for spring to come, yet I am still apprehensive. I know that this is something I am totally into b/c when I talk to others about it I get that adrenaline rush feeling all over again and I can't wipe the What I want to know, is after all this time off, how do I go about getting back up there? How do I get comfortable with the idea of it all again? And how do I answer everyones questions of "where have you been" and "why you been gone so long" when I do go back? I feel a lil silly trying to tell them that I developed a serious fear of dying after what happened to Mark.
I appreciate any insight you all can share with me.

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[Squeak 17]

Go to your prefered DZ and speak to the Cheif instructor and they'll look after you.
You'll be glad you came back

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[Peej 0]

Hey Heather,

First off, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being scared after hearing about a friend's injury or death and taking some time off to re-asses your own jumping. I've done the same at various times when friends have either passed on or been injured. It's only natural and as a lot of people in this sport will tell you, fear is a good thing. And so is respect for what we do because at the end of the day, we're partaking in an extremely high risk activity. So don't ever feel silly about telling people that you developed a fear.

As for coming back, i'm not sure when spring is in the US but i would guess that it's at least a few months away still. I would say the best thing to do would be to go out to your DZ, maybe hang out a couple times and get back into the vibe, maybe being surrounded with jumping friends will ease your transition back into the sport. As for an actual recurrency jump, it's probably a good idea to do an AFF level four or something with an instructor, that's what i did after coming back from a six month injury layoff. But the coches/instructors at your DZ will be able to help you better with this.

Here is a thread i think you should read too:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2419494;search_string=injury;#2419494

Chantel was nervous about coming back after an injury layoff and while your situation is different i think the apprehension is the same and she recieved some great advice.

Good luck with your come back, if you'd like to chat more, feel free to PM me.

Take care
PJ

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[skyscallin 0]

I am feel much better and have a brighter outlook on it all now. Thanks again!

Blue ones and soft landings!
Heather

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[Peej 0]

You're welcome

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[pinkfairy 0]

Well, it's not exactly safe, but people still do it because they like it.

Everyone have their own way to deal with the fear that inevitably comes with skydiving. You have to find the way that's best for you. Count yourself for normal because you're afraid.

And you have to make up your own mind about it being worth the risk. Only you decide if you want to jump.

I do it because I love it, I know that it's possible to do "everything right" and still die, but I also know that by doing things right I drastically reduce my risks. It's a personal decision, and I have come to the conclusion that I want to do it. Because it's fantastic fun and a dream come true for me. It's worth it.

Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet.

I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you?