ashworthy2k 0 #1 December 4, 2007 Around 5 years ago i had a car accident where i broke my pelvis, legs, shattered knees, and a really bad ankle injury as well as losing half a big toe. I grew 9 inches of bone for my leg using a ilizerof frame and my ankle was screwed amungst other things! Now i am totally fine - except a have limited movement in my ankle and cant put a major hard impact through my knee. My other leg is 100% ok now. I have a physical job now, can jog for limited periods and have been backpacking/travelling round the world where i did a tandem and loved it!!! So now i want to go solo by doing the AFF course. My doc says its ok but she doesn't know too much. I think as long as i dont come in at a very fast speed and at a hard impact i'll be fine. Was wondering do you need to be a fast runner to land ok and you do you need to be able to take really hard landings... and what would you class as a hard landing? Jumping from 15 ft??? Not to0 sure on that. Sorry 1 more thing does movement in your ankle play a part in moving around during free fall? Hope you guys could help me out on this! Cant wait to start doing my course!!! Woop Woop Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #2 December 4, 2007 First, I'd get your doc's permission in writing, the dropzone may want to see it before they'll let you jump (and you definitely need to disclose this to the dropzone!). We do teach you how to fall (do a search for PLF or parachute landing fall on here) in order to prevent injury should you have a hard or fast landing (and it will happen at some point!). Learning how to do a PLF well will be a good thing for you.. and any new jumper for that matter. I'd also think about getting a little tunnel time before AFF. I've had a handful of students with similar injuries as yours, and all of them were slightly assymmetrical with their legs in freefall, which caused a bit of a turn on their that C skydives (when we first let go of you). Getting tunnel time will help you pinpoint that problem if it exists, teach you to fix it fairly quickly (and more inexpensively than several AFF skydives), plus give you boatloads of confidence regarding your ability to freefall even with the limited ankle movement. One of my students had been pinned under a car and crushed everything from the waist down, so it's very possible to do quite well as a jumper with your injuries. Have fun and congrats on that first tandem!! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,439 #3 December 4, 2007 If you can find a skydiving doctor (and I wouldn't be surprised if one ends up PM'ing you), they might be able to give your doctor enough information to talk to you intelligently. It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Making sure that you keep your doctor in the loop is one of the best things you can do. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #4 December 9, 2007 Quote Was wondering do you need to be a fast runner to land ok No, although that limits how small a canopy you can fly as you become more experienced. I know a one-legged BASE jumper who does not use a prosthetic. Quote and you do you need to be able to take really hard landings... and what would you class as a hard landing? Jumping from 15 ft??? Not to0 sure on that. Normal landings are soft, no worse than stepping off an escalator. When things go wrong you need to do something with the energy. Usually that means a controlled parachute landing fall. Obviously getting that right is more important when you have physical problems. Quote Sorry 1 more thing does movement in your ankle play a part in moving around during free fall? Not too much. People with all sorts of problems compensate. The Pieces of Eight team are all amputees. There's one guy jumping with a birth defect that left him with a partial arm. You might track with your feet rotated out to the side instead of pointing your toes like people wearing stiff paragliding boots for bad landing areas beneath cliffs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuntedflyer 0 #5 December 12, 2007 Ash, I had similar (but not identical) injuries from a skydiving related incident about 14 months ago. All the replies above are good and really thoughtful, there's just one thing I'd suggest. If you have any metalwork (rods specifically) in your lower legs especially, check with your Orthopaedic specialist about possible complications from a hard impact. It's unlikely the Orthopaedic specialist will support your decision to jump, but that's up to you. They almost always err on the over-cautious side. If you have a "reaming" rod, or "stenium" rod (through core) in your Tibia, I would suggest having it taken out if that rod has finished serving its purpose. If you bend a rod such as this, they may need to split your bone open lengthwise to retrieve and replace it (not good). Once ready, discuss with your Chief Instructor and he/she should be able to advise any additional landing procedures for you. Hope this helps and I wish you happy jumping! Corey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teamshred 0 #6 March 22, 2008 This is a link to a manual I've got going but would like any input so please read and let me know what you think http://www.jagworksdesign.com/html/Para%20Manul%20opening%20page.htm It also has soe inovative esigns to make Para tandems safe again or if you have any input please I'll put it on and give you creadit for the chapter. All the best Blue Sky's Rod Mack D-422 skydog3@telus.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmaricle55 0 #7 March 25, 2008 Check with a Orthopedic doctor! There are some great products out now by DONJOY that your doctor can direct you to. Good Luck and let us know how you do! Muff Brother # 3883, SCR # 14796 ICD # 1 - Pres. Yeah, I noticed and I think it's funny! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
