why am I so afraid??

[chiquita24 0]

Hey all! I am new to dropzone.com and thought this would be a good place to ask my question. I have 3 tandem jumps and have loved every one of them! My fiance is a skydiver and I spend a good portion of my time at Skydive Chicago. I feel a lot of pressure to jump and to go through AFP. My problem is, I am afraid to jump again and I don't know why. I hate getting out the door, and I dont' have a very good arch and I tend to kick my feet out the door (looks like I'm trying to run) and I hate it!!! How can I get over this fear??? AFP is something that I want to do, I really want to learn to jump on my own, but I am struck by fear right now!! HELP!

[NoWorriesNIkky 0]

Hey chiquita,

Well to start with I did 7 tandem jumps and loved every one of them from the word go. I never had any fear though, but I can say go at your own pace.

Many of the people at the DZ made comments like...you here again....jeez take the course. Well after 7 tandem jumps I am signed up for a 10 solo jump course this Thurs and Friday. It will be 3-4 static line jumps and then 6-7 free fall jumps progressing from 6k to 13k.

But keep in mind. You and only you know your limits and your pace.

Don't be pressured. Do what feels natural when you are ready.

Best of luck!
Nichole

{edited for spelling}

No Worries, You're Good!

[NWFlyer 2]

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I feel a lot of pressure to jump and to go through AFP.

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AFP is something that I want to do, I really want to learn to jump on my own, but I am struck by fear right now!! HELP!

These two statements seem to contradict each other. Is learning to jump something you want to do for you? Or is it something you want to do to please other people? If it's the latter, well, I suspect you will have a tougher time getting through the fear.

All that said, fear is normal in this sport. Do a forum search on the word "fear" and you will come up with all kinds of stories and perspectives. Learning to manage it in a healthy manner is something all of us have to do on our way to becoming skydivers.

"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

[JohnMitchell 16]

Hey NW, you do such nice posts. Is it any wonder we all love you so much.

John

[NWFlyer 2]

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Hey NW, you do such nice posts. Is it any wonder we all love you so much.

Shhh.... you'll give me a big head or somethin'.

"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

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

My first two tandems were also at Skydive Chicago...ask Ron or Justin Bushman to show my video to you and that should make you feel MUCH better

...you're not alone....some of us go thru different emotions as we begin this sport and overcome our fears and anxiety.

See if they saved my video (under Kalyne Wilson)..if not I can send you a copy.

_________________________________________

[jdunbar 0]

Fear is good! it keeps you alive! In time the sheer pleasure of this amazing sport will take over and you will love the tingle in your tummy as the door slides open. Like everyone is saying, there is no rush, if you do it off your own back you will enjoy it more, when you are ready give it a go. I am a recent AFF grad, waiting to do solo and im a little nervous but i cant wait. Blue skies!

[BIGUN 1,312]

I'm not near as afraid of skydiving as I am of Bull Riding. You ever seen what happens to them guys outta the gate? That's some scary shit.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[tomvailco 0]

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I'm not near as afraid of skydiving as I am of Bull Riding. You ever seen what happens to them guys outta the gate? That's some scary shit.

No shit man! Hell have you seen the way some people drive? Now that is scary!

[Richards 0]

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I feel a lot of pressure to jump and to go through AFP.

Why? Is someone pressuring you to jump? This sport does have risks. Most of accept those risks because we want to jump to satisfy ourselves. Why assume risk doing something to satisfy someone else?

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My problem is, I am afraid to jump again and I don't know why.

Because you are a normal person with reasonable fears. Most would question your mental state if there wasn't some fear. That said you do not want it to overwhelm you to the point that it impacts your development in the sport and your enjoyment.

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I hate getting out the door, and I dont' have a very good arch and I tend to kick my feet out the door (looks like I'm trying to run) and I hate it!!! How can I get over this fear??? AFP is something that I want to do, I really want to learn to jump on my own, but I am struck by fear right now!! HELP!

[Samurai136 0]

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My problem is, I am afraid to jump again and I don't know why. (1)I hate getting out the door, and (2)I dont' have a very good arch and I tend to kick my feet out the door (looks like I'm trying to run) and I hate it!!! How can I get over this fear???

Relax. Smile.
Being a student skydiver is stressful. There are specific objectives on every jump. Both problems you are experiencing tend to be associated with performance anxiety. Door fear is normal and may be associated with your assessment of your arch.

I reccomend some wind tunnel experience. Tunnel time will develop confidence in your freefall skills. Hopefully the tunnel time would tranform your negative anticipation of "things I don't expect do well skydiving" into a positive anticipation of the skydiving environment. It's easier to learn when you are having fun.

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[FlyingJarhead 0]

i feel ya. i get scared too.

[chiquita24 0]

Yes I do feel some pressure to jump because everyone knows that I have done it and loved it and wants me to be able to jump on my own. I want to jump alone too! Thanks to all who have replied. I guess I'm really not alone with my getting out of the door fear!!!

I would like to try a wind tunnel and see if that helps! I think I will do another tandem again in two weeks and then see how things go!