MomDaBomb 0 #1 November 21, 2007 Hello everyone. I have many different reasons/excuses to justify staying within my comfort zone but the truth is, I'm terrified of the unknown. I've allowed my fears to control me and I don't want to live like that anymore. My 1st tandem jump was something I made myself do in order to begin to change that. Little did I know that I would actually end up really liking it. I've done a total of 4 tandem jumps with the same instructor. He has been nice enough to teach me a little more each time. I did a few minutes in the wind tunnel and I have an appt with an AFF instructor to train in the tunnel in a few days. I finally feel comfortable enough to begin the AFF course and I'm set for Dec. I know it's stupid to worry about something that I haven't even really been taught yet but old habits die hard. My biggest concern by far is canopy control and flying pattern. I'm really worried about it. How in depth do they cover this in the 1st AFF course. Is this a logical fear? Is it common? Getting through this course really means a lot to me. I want to be safe and I want to do it right. I don't want my fears to distract or take away from it. Any advice or words of wisdom? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #2 November 21, 2007 A-fear of the unknown is logical, probably even a little healthy. B-it sounds like you're already on a terrific path of gathering knowledge. Tunnel time prior to and during AFF is a wonderful thing, so you're already getting the body flight part worked out. Canopy control is *very* much a part of your AFF experience, First Jump Course (FJC) and your instructors are there to answer any/all questions you may have. Asking lots of questions is a good thing, yet I'd recommend you ask your questions at the DZ, with answers coming from your instructors. Your instructor will not allow you to board the aircraft if he/she feels you're not ready, competent, and able to perform the tasks that they'll teach you to perform. Trust your instructors, but don't at all be afraid to ask for clarification. Spend some time looking around the community here, you'll find hundreds of posts like yours, people looking for answers and wondering about what's in store for them. Welcome to the sport! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #3 November 21, 2007 Nope, all of us were TOTALLY calm before our first jumps. Seriously, all of your fears are very common, and your first jump course will go over all of the critical information that you need to get through your first jump successfully. The instruction you've received prior to each of your tandems is a tiny amount compared to what you'll get in your FJC. Advice? Listen, ask all the questions you need to ask, and relax! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drdive 0 #4 November 21, 2007 I can't even explain how nervous I was for my first 30 or 50 jumps.. Still get some anxiety - especially after a layoff. Your feelings are normal. Embrace than and make it work for you. It is a great sport. Welcome. Ed"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub" " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grannyinthesky 0 #5 November 21, 2007 Hi, I'm also about to embark on AFF. For me, it hasn't been so much about overcoming fears,, but about getting outside my comfort zone and challenging myself. I have spent most of my life hiding from the world and living a very dull, safe existence as well as hanging on to a weight problem to help me escape having any personal interaction with people. Damn lonely, by the way. Sometime in the last two years, that began changing and I have been able to shed most of the excess pounds. In October, the opportunity came up to do a tandem jump and I went for it. It never occured to me to seriously think about the risks involved, even with signing and initialing everything in sight on the waiver. THe experiences that day have changed my life. I couldn't wait to jump again (Saturday, by the way, if the weather holds). Then I found the incredible community here. Even though I don't know any of these people personally, I like their wackiness, their compassion, their zest for live. But I also began to understand from all my reading here and elsewhere, that there was a lot of risk involved and a tremendous amount to learn. Some doubt starting creeping in. Could I really do this? Then, as DSE has suggested to you, I really starting looking at the wealth of information available here. I've realized that it isn't going to be the tourist adventure I had in that tandem jump, but a whole lot better. I've read about the concern that instructors have when it comes to being sure their students become safe jumpers. I've looked at all the information I'll be taught and at how carefully the skills I'll need will be taught and the uncertainty is receeding. I think there will always be (and should be) that bit of fear. I know I've got a lot to learn, but that I can and will learn what I need to so that I can jump out of perfectly good airplanes on a regular basis. You will too. Let's enjoy this great adventure we are embarking on and live life to the fullest. Pat"safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiki32 1 #6 November 21, 2007 Canopy control and flight pattern were my #1 fears before I did my AFF1. Then I realized it wasn't so bad. Im sure you'll do fine. Best of luck with it, youre already a few steps ahead, with all those tandems and tunnel time. ;)Poetry don't work on whores. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VincentVL. 0 #7 November 21, 2007 QuoteI want to be safe and I want to do it right. I don't want my fears to distract or take away from it. Yeah. Stop thinking about: 1. Doing it "right" 2. Your damn fears Instead, really focus on doing it safe. Your only goal is to land your parachute safely. Pardon me if I'm being a pseudo psychologist, but you sound like you have failure anxiety. Trying to do it perfect will only get them fears pumping. So have fun and be safe. Should be easy enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UDSkyJunkie 0 #8 November 21, 2007 Canopy control is one of the more common fears among AFF students. I think this is because it is the only part of the skydive where the instructor is not right there to help. Yes, there is a radio, but the can and do fail. Hopefully your TI has introduced you to the basics of canopy control, flying a pattern, ect during your 4 tandem jumps. When you take the AFF course, you can apply that experience to what they teach. Canopy control is explained in a reasonable amount of depth (remember that we don't want to give you TOO much detail just yet). You should be taught everything you need to know. That said, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions during the course to make sure you understand and are comfortable with the concepts... the instructor will not think you are stupid for asking. Finally, you are definately right that you don't want your canopy fears to distract from the rest of the instruction. At all times, you need to focus on the current task. Good luck!"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #9 November 21, 2007 I get nervous still....then the door opens and all of that goes away. It is difficult to explain but it seems like there is a clarity when you are up in the air....things in life don't seem so bad/challenging, and my worries just disappear. I have developed some great friendships with people across the states as well as people from all around the world - it is such a great reward being a part of this sport. Have fun......don't get too caught up in being perfect with every movement or with every landing because it is an unrealistic expectation. Listen to your instructors, watch people set up their landing patterns, and watch them fly thier canopy until they have landed on the ground (you will learn pretty quickly when a person is a good canopy pilot vs. and excellent canopy pilot). One way to alleviate some of your fear is to educate yourself. There are the forums here, articles, and books about skydiving (skydivers handbook, canopy and its pilot; are a few examples). And again.....have fun! DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MomDaBomb 0 #10 November 22, 2007 Thank you for the advice and for the welcome. I really appreciate it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MomDaBomb 0 #11 November 22, 2007 I can really relate to your situation. I'm excited for both of us! Congrats on your recent weight loss. Good luck with your AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MomDaBomb 0 #12 November 22, 2007 You're right. Thanks for calling me on the failure anxiety thing. I'll work on that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MomDaBomb 0 #13 November 22, 2007 That's a great idea. I think I will go down there and just sit and watch people fly and land. Thank you for all your help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
