marybalfanz 0 #1 October 14, 2006 Hi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified. The plane ride was a nightmare and when that door opened, oh man forget it I was scared shitless. But on my last 2 jumps I don't know what happened but the fear was gone. I was thrilled. I just wanted to get out that door and learn, But recently I read about the tandem fatality, a double malfunction. Since then I'm just scared to death. I haven't jumped in 6 weeks. we have had bad weather and I’ve had a cold for 2 weeks and a couple family occasions kept me away, but truly I think maybe I’m looking for excuses not to go. I don't know, maybe I just need some encouragement. Help!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #2 October 14, 2006 Why do you need to jump? If you can answer that you can harness your fear. bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #3 October 14, 2006 OK, I'll get the expected reply out of the way... "Shut up and jump." Now I'll say that you have a very, very common issue, so many skydivers can relate to it. Don't feel alone. Maybe just go to the dz to hang out and watch, and talk with instructors. Still, I always tell people to jump if they want to, and don't jump if they don't want to. Do not confuse fear with not wanting to though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marybalfanz 0 #4 October 14, 2006 Why do you need to jump? If you can answer that you can harness your fear. I don't need to, but I want to so bad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #5 October 14, 2006 QuoteI don't need to, but I want to so bad. Well then...SHUT UP AND GO JUMP ! bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marybalfanz 0 #6 October 14, 2006 Well then...SHUT UP AND GO JUMP ! LOL, thank you. I think i'll go to the DZ tommorow. Weather is gonna suck but I think just being there will help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #7 October 14, 2006 QuoteWell then...SHUT UP AND GO JUMP ! LOL, thank you. I think i'll go to the DZ tommorow. Weather is gonna suck but I think just being there will help. Good for you. Give us an update how things went. bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #8 October 14, 2006 Quote...on my last 2 jumps I don't know what happened but the fear was gone. But recently I read about the tandem fatality... on my last 2 jumps I don't know what happened but the fear was gone... Tandems are different from your student jumps. You are becoming familiar with the freefall environment.The change is--- you know it is different and you want to skydive. You haven't made a jump recently; if you desire to continue skydiving, you should go for it, and get current. Experienced skydivers have the same feelings about the sport. Fatalities spook everyone. You either find a way to move forward and skydive or you move on..."Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFFI 0 #9 October 14, 2006 QuoteNow I'll say that you have a very, very common issue, so many skydivers can relate to it. Don't feel alone. I still feel that way time and time again, so do tunsa people. If you were not experiencing some kinda fear then we would be worried aboutcha. Hell ya, shutupandjump! - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #10 October 14, 2006 Fear comes and goes. A lot of us will feel edgy on the first load of the day, especially if it's been a couple weeks since our last jump. Little things can happen or sometimes there's no explanation. People are complicated and we have all kinds of reasons and completely irrational things going on inside our heads. I'd like to encourage you because you went ahead with your first 3 AFF jumps inspite of feeling terrified. Most of the time our fears go away once we've left the airplane. So if it's any reassurance, your fears may never go completely away. But you will learn to understand them and handle them. And more important, you'll learn something about yourself and the stuff you're made of down inside. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #11 October 14, 2006 Whenever I hear a story of fear coming and going like that (in other disciplines as I am not a skydiving instructor). it is almost always a case where someone had simply pushed the reality of what they were doing out of their mind, but never really reconciled themselves as to the danger. Instead, the mind creates a pocket of risk detachment which does not see or acknowledge the risks. Then, when reports of mishaps come in, they are jarred back into reality about what they are doing, and swing the other way to almost panic level. If someone has no fear as you stated at AFF jumps 4 and 5, I am not sure that they are being realistic about the risk assessment. I know people with over a thousand jumps that still will tell you they get butterflies when they head for the door. It sounds like what happened for you is that reports of injuries jarred you back into the reality of the situation, which you had managed to push out of your mind. Fear can be a teacher. It can help you remember that in order to have a great time, you have to survive the experience, and in order to survive, you must do what you need to do, when you need to do it. The real difference is whether it is a crippling fear, or what you might call a "respectful" fear. If you respect the danger of what you are doing, and then counter that with diligent training, practice and visualization, a little fear can be that nudge that drives you back on the path of safety. On the other hand, panic-fear paralyzes and clouds the mind. Having said that, you have to ask yourself the important question however if this is a sport that you can or want to mentally/emotionally navigate. It's important that you have a good handle on yourself or your resultant panic might cause someone else to become injured - Skydiving is dangerous, but I think for most the knowledge of the danger and the challenge of making it back to the ground safely is part of the appeal. Not everyone finds that satisfying. It requires that one be very much "in the moment" and in control of your faculties, and ironically, that takes a certain kind of relaxation. Someone said to me once that if it's not fun, don't do it. That might be good advice- not just from a practical standpoint, but also from the fact that when things like this are no longer fun, it may mean we are no longer fully committed to what we are doing. And while training and education can increase our comfort level and competencies, I think it's important to do a "pin" check on ourselves to make sure that we are not pushing aside reality to force a jump. It is, after all, that reality that will cause us to train harder, ask more questions, and learn more than the required minimums - all of which can work together to help mitigate those risks. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Froggy 0 #12 October 14, 2006 Hey, getting scared at the beginning is very common, really. I can sure relate to that -- on my third jump, just a thought of getting out that door was scaring shit out of me. There was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to jump out! Guess what? I did... And so did you! From what I understand, the fear you have now is kinda different from what you had before -- you got scared because you heard something, and you have been thinking about it. You haven't jumped since, so it's not the jump that scares you (as opposed to how it was before, on your first three jumps!), but some thoughts in the back of your mind... So, yeah -- SHUT UP AND JUMP! See how you feel. If you really want it badly, you'll get over your fears! Good luck, and blue skies! --- Edited to add --- LuvToFly Didn't see your reply before I posted... Very well said about the crippling and "respectful" fear! That's it! I heard this from several people: in skydiving, if you have NO fear at all, it may be time to consider quitting, as you are loosing a grip on reality and endangering yourself and others...-------------- We were not born to fly. And all we can do is to try not to fall... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,297 #13 October 14, 2006 Every skydiver goes thru bouts of anxiety and anyone who tells you they don't is fibbing. During the early stages of skydiving (first 100ish jumps), there's several times one will question their desire or motivation to jump. Even the SIMS manaul tells us the first jump of the day can be the most anxious. I know that when I'm faced with a day of multiple students, I'm not only faced with my own well-being; but more importantly - theirs. The best remedy for me to "get my head right" is to go up and make a simple "all about me" hop-n-pop. That seems to shake it off, get the adrenaline or endorphins going and puts me in the right place. It's been my experience that even those up North share their anxiety of the first few jumps after a long winter. So, the remedy is to jump with greater frequency, rather than every six weeks or so. And, the more educated you become, the less anxious or concerned you'll be. I'm glad you feel this way. If you didn't feel it at this point in your progression, then you're goofy and probably shouldn't be jumping because you'd either be dangerous to yourself or someone else. It's been a rough year for the skydiving community and your concerns are valid. I know many an experienced jumper that have gone thru this year and given pause to their own motivation... But, in the end, we "have" to do it. You either have to do it or choose to walk away. Only you can decide. Now, I'm going skydiving... Later.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marybalfanz 0 #14 October 14, 2006 If someone has no fear as you stated at AFF jumps 4 and 5, I am not sure that they are being realistic about the risk assessment I should have been more clear. What I meant was the mind numbing terror was gone. I still had some fear but nothing like previously, and thank you all for your replys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JJohnson 0 #15 October 14, 2006 Fear is normal and healthy. Unless you grow wings, you should always experience some fear when jumping...it is an unnatural act, one that can kill you. But skydiving is so much fun. Once you can trust your ability and your gear the fear is minimized...Focus on the joy and fun you are having and trust in yourself and stick with your plan.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #16 October 15, 2006 I know on AFF I was TERRIFIED. I enjoyed the plane ride up, but it was just the whole aspect that scared me. I heard about the tandem fatalities and even saw a lady go in while on AFF...Scary? Hell Yes. But that's why I love it so much. It's about overcoming that fear. It's the feeling of accomplishment. After AFF, the "terrified" fear gets a lot better because you get your own rigs and can you know your gear like the back of your hand. Your skills increase. And thus, your confidence is boosted. I always get the little butterflies right when I'm walking up to the door, but that's why I jump. I love that feeling. I'm just drawn to the edge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marybalfanz 0 #17 October 15, 2006 I heard about the tandem fatalities and even saw a lady go in while on AFF Aw man, thanks for sharing, lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites chrismgtis 0 #18 October 15, 2006 QuoteHi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified. Hey don't feel bad. Still scares the crap out of me when I'm about to exit (although I've done only 4 jumps I think the fear just gets worse for me ) . The best thing I know to do is just say to yourself that you're there to jump and if you're going to do it, what's the point in being afraid. Listen to your instructors every word and have faith in what you've been taught. If you don't, talk to your instructors and go over whatever you feel you need to work on. Breathe deep and relax. Think about something else or just imagine skydiving as an everyday activity like riding a bike.Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033 Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PrairieDoug 0 #19 October 15, 2006 Outstanding post, LuvToFly. Very thought provoking and rings true with my experience. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Andy9o8 2 #20 October 16, 2006 When I was a student jumper, there were several occasions when I'd arrive at the DZ with my stomach in an anxious knot, and go off by myself somewhere and barf before my first jump of the day. What you're feeling is normal. You'll be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites chanti 0 #21 October 16, 2006 Hi Mary I TOTALLY understand how you feel. This weekend I did my first jump back after being off for 3 months from a femur fracture (yes, skydiving-related ) I was terrified in the plane - worse than I ever felt during AFF - all that kept going through my mind was ambulances and hospitals and morphine and med techs cutting my jumpsuit off me But ya know what? It was the best thing I ever did getting back up there! I just love this sport! The fear will never completely go away, it just becomes easier to deal with. Fear is good in small doses - it keeps you aware. Good luck and when you get scared, just remember how good you feel when you've done an awesome jump! -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites georgerussia 0 #22 October 16, 2006 Quote Hi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified. Heh, I was scared like h@ll through the whole AFF program - during the ride up and especially when the door is opened. I was scared even more when I completed AFF understanding that now I'm alone in the sky. So I asked my instructor to do one more post-AFF jump with me. We did it, and it was important for me. Thankfully I had great instructors, and it really helped a lot. Talk to your instructors. There is absolutely nothing to be embarassed about. Your instinct is telling you that jumping out of plane is not a safe thing, and your instinct is right. Maybe you could use more ground training, especially concentrated on emergencies. Or a good explanation how your gear works, so you can see it is really reliable. You are definitely not the first one who is scared, and your instructor can help you with this - if you ask.* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. * Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marybalfanz 0 #23 October 16, 2006 Good for you. Give us an update how things went. Well, got to the airport yesterday prepared to jump. My instructor (who is great) said "ready to jump", I said " no I haven't jumped in six weeks. I need some time to go over things" I also wanted to watch a couple of loads land and observe their pattern ,because i've had some trouble trying to figure out where I should be at what altitude. After a couple loads I was ready to go. Sure enough a wall of clouds rolled in and had no intention of leaving. So I didn't get to jump yesterday, kind of wish I had just gotten on that first load but I really didn't feel ready. Leaving the airport without having jumped feels shitty, no sense of accomplishment, but i'm still glad I went. Oh well there is always next week Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bozo 0 #24 October 16, 2006 QuoteGood for you. Give us an update how things went. Leaving the airport without having jumped feels shitty, no sense of accomplishment, but i'm still glad I went. Oh well there is always next week Mary...there is always another week...another year...forever. You jump when you are ready. You made it to the DZ, thats a huge step. bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites crazyboy 0 #25 October 16, 2006 Being scared is very common, it isn't a "normal" situation when you exit an airplane. And there are at least 1000 good reasons not to jump. And you should not jump if you are not prepared to. Some years ago, I was in a plane and when they opened the door, I was terrified. And I didn't jump. I landed with that plane. After that load a very good friend talked to me. We repacked my main (only to feel good) and went on the next load. When they opened the door, I was terrified again. He nearly had to kick my ass out of the door. We did a nice 2 way, we flew a number of points and everything was perfect. During the next jumps I was a little bit nervous, but not terrified. Oh by the way, that didn't happen when I was a low timer. At this point I already had about 1200 skydives.If your parachute fails to open, remember you have the rest of your live to fix it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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JJohnson 0 #15 October 14, 2006 Fear is normal and healthy. Unless you grow wings, you should always experience some fear when jumping...it is an unnatural act, one that can kill you. But skydiving is so much fun. Once you can trust your ability and your gear the fear is minimized...Focus on the joy and fun you are having and trust in yourself and stick with your plan.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #16 October 15, 2006 I know on AFF I was TERRIFIED. I enjoyed the plane ride up, but it was just the whole aspect that scared me. I heard about the tandem fatalities and even saw a lady go in while on AFF...Scary? Hell Yes. But that's why I love it so much. It's about overcoming that fear. It's the feeling of accomplishment. After AFF, the "terrified" fear gets a lot better because you get your own rigs and can you know your gear like the back of your hand. Your skills increase. And thus, your confidence is boosted. I always get the little butterflies right when I'm walking up to the door, but that's why I jump. I love that feeling. I'm just drawn to the edge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marybalfanz 0 #17 October 15, 2006 I heard about the tandem fatalities and even saw a lady go in while on AFF Aw man, thanks for sharing, lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrismgtis 0 #18 October 15, 2006 QuoteHi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified. Hey don't feel bad. Still scares the crap out of me when I'm about to exit (although I've done only 4 jumps I think the fear just gets worse for me ) . The best thing I know to do is just say to yourself that you're there to jump and if you're going to do it, what's the point in being afraid. Listen to your instructors every word and have faith in what you've been taught. If you don't, talk to your instructors and go over whatever you feel you need to work on. Breathe deep and relax. Think about something else or just imagine skydiving as an everyday activity like riding a bike.Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033 Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrairieDoug 0 #19 October 15, 2006 Outstanding post, LuvToFly. Very thought provoking and rings true with my experience. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #20 October 16, 2006 When I was a student jumper, there were several occasions when I'd arrive at the DZ with my stomach in an anxious knot, and go off by myself somewhere and barf before my first jump of the day. What you're feeling is normal. You'll be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #21 October 16, 2006 Hi Mary I TOTALLY understand how you feel. This weekend I did my first jump back after being off for 3 months from a femur fracture (yes, skydiving-related ) I was terrified in the plane - worse than I ever felt during AFF - all that kept going through my mind was ambulances and hospitals and morphine and med techs cutting my jumpsuit off me But ya know what? It was the best thing I ever did getting back up there! I just love this sport! The fear will never completely go away, it just becomes easier to deal with. Fear is good in small doses - it keeps you aware. Good luck and when you get scared, just remember how good you feel when you've done an awesome jump! -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
georgerussia 0 #22 October 16, 2006 Quote Hi, I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe I’m just hoping someone will say " shut up and jump". I've only done 2 tandems and 5 AFF jumps and on my first 3 AFF jumps I was terrified, I mean absolutely terrified. Heh, I was scared like h@ll through the whole AFF program - during the ride up and especially when the door is opened. I was scared even more when I completed AFF understanding that now I'm alone in the sky. So I asked my instructor to do one more post-AFF jump with me. We did it, and it was important for me. Thankfully I had great instructors, and it really helped a lot. Talk to your instructors. There is absolutely nothing to be embarassed about. Your instinct is telling you that jumping out of plane is not a safe thing, and your instinct is right. Maybe you could use more ground training, especially concentrated on emergencies. Or a good explanation how your gear works, so you can see it is really reliable. You are definitely not the first one who is scared, and your instructor can help you with this - if you ask.* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. * Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marybalfanz 0 #23 October 16, 2006 Good for you. Give us an update how things went. Well, got to the airport yesterday prepared to jump. My instructor (who is great) said "ready to jump", I said " no I haven't jumped in six weeks. I need some time to go over things" I also wanted to watch a couple of loads land and observe their pattern ,because i've had some trouble trying to figure out where I should be at what altitude. After a couple loads I was ready to go. Sure enough a wall of clouds rolled in and had no intention of leaving. So I didn't get to jump yesterday, kind of wish I had just gotten on that first load but I really didn't feel ready. Leaving the airport without having jumped feels shitty, no sense of accomplishment, but i'm still glad I went. Oh well there is always next week Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bozo 0 #24 October 16, 2006 QuoteGood for you. Give us an update how things went. Leaving the airport without having jumped feels shitty, no sense of accomplishment, but i'm still glad I went. Oh well there is always next week Mary...there is always another week...another year...forever. You jump when you are ready. You made it to the DZ, thats a huge step. bozo Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 0 #25 October 16, 2006 Being scared is very common, it isn't a "normal" situation when you exit an airplane. And there are at least 1000 good reasons not to jump. And you should not jump if you are not prepared to. Some years ago, I was in a plane and when they opened the door, I was terrified. And I didn't jump. I landed with that plane. After that load a very good friend talked to me. We repacked my main (only to feel good) and went on the next load. When they opened the door, I was terrified again. He nearly had to kick my ass out of the door. We did a nice 2 way, we flew a number of points and everything was perfect. During the next jumps I was a little bit nervous, but not terrified. Oh by the way, that didn't happen when I was a low timer. At this point I already had about 1200 skydives.If your parachute fails to open, remember you have the rest of your live to fix it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites