Love of risk?

[ghost47 18]

So, in yet another conversation with a whuffo in which I tried to convince her that I did NOT skydive because I had some sort of death wish, I said something to the effect of: "Believe me, if there was a 100% guarantee that I'd land safely, I'd still jump. In fact, I'd like jumping even more."

After I said it though, I started wondering if it was true. I know we do everything we can to minimize the chance of death or injury, but I also know we can never eliminate it. And I wonder if part of my attraction to this sport is the total commitment and focus, the knowledge that you have to keep aware all of the time, no exceptions, and even then something bad might happen beyond your control.

What do you guys think? If there were some way of guaranteeing a safe landing no matter what, would you still love to jump as much as you do?

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

depends on what that mode of landing safely is, how long it would take, and how much it would cost.

[airtwardo 7]

...I tried to convince her that I did NOT skydive because I had some sort of death wish, I said something to the effect of: "Believe me, if there was a 100% guarantee that I'd land safely, I'd still jump. In fact, I'd like jumping even more."


After I said it though, I started wondering if it was true.

[ghost47 18]

Quote

Lose a few friends and you'll quickly understand it IS true.

It's not that in any way I'm glad that people die in our sport. But I know that I enjoy the freefall from skydiving MUCH more than the "freefall" in a wind tunnel. I guess what I'm wondering is why? Is it just more fun to be outdoors and jumping with my friends? Or is it that added risk that comes from jumping out of a plane, and the total commitment required to do so?

I don't know, it's just something I'm thinking about.

[skydiverbry 0]

Now,That is TRUE

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Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!!

D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver)

[Lastchance 0]

I think the risk may have some to do with it, but I like the focus of the jump. Nothing else in my life is on my mind at that point except the jump. The saying goes that you are dead the second you leave the plane until YOU do something to save your own life. When people ask me if I have a death wish or something my response is "No, I have a life wish. If I had a death wish I would jump and not pull."

I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands.

[No_Phear 0]

For me, I love freefall so much, it is worth the risk. I am well aware that it could go bad and I could go in, and though I certainly have no death wish, it does not bother me.

In any case I think it's in the risking your life, that makes you feel MORE alive... if that makes any sense.

Tact is not my specialty.....

Dirty Sanchez #453

[TerminatorSRT4 0]

I'm a low number jumper, but I'll still share my thoughts

I would still be just as thrilled about jumping if there was no risk. I don't really jump for the risk, I like it because every time I've jumped so far has been completely different. You don't really know what to expect. Whether it's the free fall portion of the jump, the canopy flying or the landing. SOMETHING has been different every time, and I'm imagining it will stay that way for however many jumps I do in my life. I guess that's why I like jumping so much...it's not really the risk for me (although I obviously know there is always going to be a risk).



Cliff notes: Yes I would still jump if the risk factor was eliminated

[LongWayToFall 0]

If there was no risk, then everyone would do it. Skydivers would not be as close nit of a group. Everything has risk, you have to weight it against the rewards. The people who jump have decided it was worth the risk, and that is what makes the friendships and rewards in the sport worth what they are. This question is really not even worth asking, sort of like asking if you had the ability to live forever would you do it?

[halorob 0]

There is a cool video called Adrenaline Rush. Its an IMAX film from like 2002 that kind of covers this topic.