After effects

[SANDY1000 0]

I stumbled across dropzone by accident and when reading it, it has re-opened an old matter on which I would appreciate some advice. I will keep this as short as possible. In the early 60's I was persuaded by Bill Molloy the Australian sky diving champion to take up skydiving. I did 6 static line jumps, the last 2 on the one day. Bill was in the USA jumping at Orange at the time. I was told that it was best to make my first freefall shortly after my last static. On my first freefall I could not pull out the ripcord. The chute was US military and the packer had jammed in a french metric ripcord. Thre reserve did not want to deploy as it had never been repacked for a long time. Obviously it came good in the last couple of seconds. They then said jump again and this time the flexible tube (in which was located the ripcord), on my shoulder tore away, which I did not realise, I saw the ripcord in my outstretched hand, no canopy, let the ripcord go, it fluttered above my head out of reach, still in the tube - I pulled the reserve again - just made it. I would not jump again until Bill returned (I trusted Bill, but not these other clowns) which was a 5 or 6 weeks wait. I could think of nothing else over that 6 week period but the coming jump. Finally Bill returned and I made another static, then finally a successful freefall. I went back the next weekend, saw a chute being packed on the grass, twisted and tangled and gave skydiving away.

Several years later in the Australian Army in Vietnam I had a panic attack in a chopper and wanted to throw myself out. Fear of heights ever since and subsequently a fear of flying. I got over fears as I got older.
My queries are:
Is it likely that the 6 week wait had a permanent effect on me?
Is it likely that the parachute malfunctions caused the panic attack in the chopper, I was sitting on the end of the seat, legs dangling ouside.?
Was it to my credit that I did jump again - or would everyone have done the same thing?
Would it be possible that the sheer danger I was exposed to on the day had a permanent effect on me - instantly - on the day?
Does anyone have an opinion on the likely effect of such an experience on any person generally?
And finally, can it be imagined as to the effort of willpower it took to climb out onto the wheel of the plane to make my third freefall jump. Or is it that I am simply timid and the average person couldn't care less about such a thing.
(Incidentally, I write of this affair in detail in my book Weekend Warrior at War, available through Abebooks - I don't say this to sell my book but as an aside).

I would appreciate opinions on this matter.

Thanks,

Geoff Green

[BIGUN 1,402]

First, I'm not sure that one of the moderators won't move this as its really not an incident as much as it is exploration. Geoff, to ask for an analysis of whether a situational circumstance that occured forty years ago had a permanent effect on you or which resulted in fears, affected your experience in Vietnam, etc. is something we would encourage you to explore with a professional therapist.

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

[SANDY1000 0]

Let me hurriedly point out that I am long over this business and only wrote down the details out of casual interest. Re-reading what I wrote I can see that it comes across as being pretty intense but it is only when I came across the forum that I re-called the incident. I'm cool over it all! If it is an embarassment or misplaced just delete everything. Otherwise, what do you think - wouldn't this scare the you-know-what out of you?

[BIGUN 1,402]

Anyone in skydiving who says that haven't had a good ass-puckering ain't been doing it long enough. We should probably end this thread here and move to the "General Skydiving Discussions" thread at this point.

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

[SANDY1000 0]

It was a bit much wasn't it - just delete it. It is an early summer morning here and our garden beckons, work to do, no need to delve into the past.

[airtwardo 7]

  Quote

It was a bit much wasn't it - just delete it. It is an early summer morning here and our garden beckons, work to do, no need to delve into the past.

***

Not at all...
It's just subject matter more suited for the general discussion forum.

I'm hoping it gets moved there since many more members here will be more aggressive in posting their thoughts, opinions and experiences relating to your story.

Thank you for contributing!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[SANDY1000 0]

Bigun, I cannot open your email, if you wish just send it clear.

[SANDY1000 0]

It is OK I just got it and will respond as you suggest.

[airtwardo 7]

Well...now that we're in a more cozy spot!

Please tell us more of your experiences from 'back in the day'!

When did you start jumping...on what...and why?

I see you have 10 to your credit...ever think about taking it up again now that it's 'safer than sex'???

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[SANDY1000 0]

Funny you should say that, as a result of discovering this forum it has dawned on me that I should make another jump. After all I shoot my mouth off about being fearless due to old age (63) and general fatalism, (except where that bloody maniacal pit bull terrior up the street is concerned, one day it will get out as I walk past and if nothing else I will then be the fastest 63 year old on the planet) so perhaps this is a real option.

As to what we flew in, the planes were Cessna 172s and once a Cessna 185 Skywagon. I had never flown before and so had taken off a few times but never landed. One day I flew back to Moorabbin airfield and sitting there noticed as we came into land that the wheel was not rotating in the slipstream so thought that the brakes were still locked on. Being only 19 or so I hesitated to speak out so reconciled myself to flipping over as we touched down, which of course didn't happen.

Then I flew in the 185. After we had taken off the pilot suddenly went into a dive towards where the divers were assembled on the ground. We went down like a Stuka and I glanced at the pilot to see his face frozen in a rictus of hysteria, teeth bared and eyes bulging. The people on the ground flung themselves down and we just pulled out in time to skim across the car roofs, me finally starting to realise that it was time to start to devote my energies to making the acquaintance of girls rather than be involved with these lunatics. The following weekend however was when the close shaves happened.

[BIGUN 1,402]

Well, now if your 63 year old ass can consider out-running a maniacal pit pull terrier, then you're in good enough shape to consider running down to the nearest DZ. Most 63 year olds I know would just shoot the dog and WALK home.

You may know; there is a club "SOS" Skydivers Over Sixty and another club, "JOE" Jumpers Over Eighty.

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

[Hipwrddude 0]

Hi Sandy,
Hopefully you'll return to the dead thread shelf to find I've dusted off your post and returned a clean reply. Despite my BA degree in film, I minored in psychology and still spend considerable time reading up on the subject. To answer your questions (as best I can and quick to step aside for a real professional):
Is it likely that the 6 week wait had a permanent effect on me?
Ans. That depends on your perception of the threat (and the level of fear you give it.)
Is it likely that the parachute malfunctions caused the panic attack in the chopper, I was sitting on the end of the seat, legs dangling ouside.?
Ans. No, the parachute malfunction is probably not related to the panic attack you had in the chopper. A panic attack is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort. Your bout with terror was due to the thought you might lose control of your impulse AND actually leap from the chopper. If you're not prone to this perception, you're normal. About 1/3rd of the population has a panic attack over the course of a year. Being in a combat zone facing the possibility of grievous injury or mutilation would certainly amplify that frequency.
Was it to my credit that I did jump again - or would everyone have done the same thing?
Ans. Damn straight it's to your credit and Hell no (would everyone do the same thing) you crazy bastard!! Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it. I had a hard pull close to the hard deck and I hear ya. I don't think the fun would be happening for me to return and smile in the face of that terror.
Would it be possible that the sheer danger I was exposed to on the day had a permanent effect on me - instantly - on the day?
Ans. Not likely, although it is possible for that danger to form a trigger for future responses in similar situations. That doesn't mean bad outcome, it just means you might freak out for a second before you recover your bearings. The best way to dissipate the intensity of that memory is to talk about it and ruminate over it (replay it in your mind and to change that replay to a positive outcome.)
Does anyone have an opinion on the likely effect of such an experience on any person generally?
For those in the range of normalcy fleeting moments of intense fear shouldn't result in any serious impairment in dealing with future situations. Ultimately, it's relative to how you perceive it as some people may elevate the notion they'll fail to work through it (and heighten their fear) while others will rationalize it to a chance occurrence (and reduce their fear.) Are you optimistic or pessimistic? (obviously you're an optimist.) Your introduction to skydiving was not very pleasant. In fact, that's why most people don't take up the hobby--it's fascinating terror. But for those who do and learn to enjoy its rewards, skydiving is an adventure and a passion full of fun and excitement. As an aside I use two terms for what I describe in the sport and life in general:
MOE-moment of elation, as when you feel great and excited. Often spontaneous with great bouyancy.
BOJ-burst of joy, as when you nail an exit, a landing, a move or any other self accomplishment requiring skill, wisdom or action.

Here are the 13 warning signs of a panic attack. One must have at least 4 of these for up to 10 minutes (although it can last for a few seconds too)
• racing or pounding heart
• sweating
• trembling or shaking
• shortness of breath
• feeling of choking
• chest pain or discomfort
• nausea or abdominal distress
• feeling dizzy, unsteady, or faint
• feeling unreal or detached
• paresthesias (i.e., numbness or tingling sensations)
• chills or hot flushes
• fear of dying
• fear of going crazy or losing control

You're always the starter in your own life!