Back pain on opening

[bristoljumper 0]

Hi,

I would ask my instructors this but won't be back at the dz for a while so was hoping for an answer here.

I'm a student and the last 3 openings i have had have been the first ones from terminal and on each ocasion i have had quite bad lower back pain on opening.

This pain does not last more than the time it takes to the ground but on the last ocasion it was quite severe for about 10 seconds which was pottentialy distracting from what i should be focussing on (control checks etc).

I don't have any history of back pain and am a young guy, diddn't have any issues on static line jumps. My exit weight is about 186 pounds on a 290 canopy, pull was in a stable body position all 3 times.

Is this normal? parachute opening too fast? me being a wuss... let me know.

[Bertt 0]

No, it's not normal even for a fast opening parachute. If the parachute was packed correctly and doesn't give other jumpers a problem, it should work for you. Even though you don't have a history of back problems, you could have some small injury that only shows up when your back is stressed a certain way. The only way to be sure is see a doctor and probably get an MRI or something.

You don't have to outrun the bear.

[happythoughts 0]

Bad pain is not normal. It sounds like you have
something more than a normal problem.

I was given some good advice. I don't think it will help you, but
it is worth mentioning.

A friend told me to drop my knees a little, so that my thighs act
as shock-absorbers.

[LaRusic 0]

quite possible its in the pack job, have someone from the ground watch the speed of the opening, its possible ur getting spanked. if so have the packer quarter the slider and such.

also possible u have a slight back injury, have er checked out

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[AndyMan 7]

Quote

: quite possible its in the pack job, have someone from the ground watch the speed of the opening, its possible ur getting spanked. if so have the packer quarter the slider and such.

No. It's not the packjob.

You should not be feeling backpain on opening, even if it's a hard opening.

Get to a doctor and get checked out before your next jump.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[davelepka 4]

As other have said, if an opening is hard enough to casue pain, you'd feel in other places as well as (possibly) your back. On your thighs from the legstraps, and maybe the front of your shoulders from the harness. If it's only in your back, that's odd.

My only thought is this, you said these were your first jumps to terminal, is it possible you're arching too hard, and that even a moderate opening is effecting your already stressed lower back?

It's not uncommon for students to over-do the arch at first. No instructor will tell you up front, but you don't need to do the 'max' arch that you can. If you're a reasonably felxible guy, you only need to arch at 50% (or less) than your 'max' flexibility.

Even a slight arch will push your hips forward and have you stable on your belly. Arching any harder than that just makes you fall faster (and the openings harder).

I can't say for sure if this is your problem. You may have a back problem and need medical care, this is just something to think about.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

Get to a doctor and get checked out before your next jump.

Quoted to emphasize "before" - I agree that seeing a doctor should be done before trying out any "techniques". Why risk your very next jump causing something potentially serious? See the doc first.

[VideoFly 0]

Very often, back pain is the result of stress at home, at work, or possibly even at the DZ while learning to jump. In addition to checking with a doctor, consider using relaxation techniques to ease life’s stress. I have had several discs removed and have had more surgeries recommended. Instead, I lift weights regularly and include back-building exercises in my routine. While it might not seem like it, skydiving can be a very physical sport and as in most sports, regular physical conditioning is important. Get a doctor’s advice and consider working out.

[tkhayes 348]

pain is an indication that something is wrong. get your back checked out - you may have some issue that is aggravated by the opening shock.

if the opening shock is severe, then FIX IT! you will feel everyone of those openings in a few years and the pain will then never go away.

If you cannot get the openings fixed, then change the gear. Spectre with Dacron lines, I recommend.

And like an earlier poster said, bring your knees down once you deploy. You should be in a full sitting upright position when the parachute hits line stretch and the first bit of opening shock. It prevents the whiplash, and all of the opening shock is taken thru vertical compression of the spine (which your spine is designed to take), and using you thighs as the shock absorbers.

learn to do that regardless of whatever parachute you are jumping, your spine will thank you in many years.