aquaflamz 0 #1 April 7, 2004 Hello everyone. I am going to be starting my AFF training in around a couple of weeks. Very exited about it! I just wanted to ask you other experienced skydivers a few questions. Is there anything that you recommend I need to do before I start? Sign up for some type of insurance or something like that? I know I'm required to sign up with the USPA before (I think) the fourth AFF jump. I have read through that book by Dan Poynter and Mike Turoff: "Parachuting, The skydiver's Handbook." (A couple of times, and will again) I also have two tandems under my belt as well as around 8 minutes of solo freefall experience thanks to a wind tunnel. www.perrisskyventure.com I will probably be taking my instruction at a local airport from a small skydiving school here in Palm Springs, CA. They are listed under the USPA Group Member drop zones list. I am going to arrange a time to make a personal observation like the USPA recommends. What good skydiving school characteristics should I look for while I'm there? What makes a good one? For all of the real experienced skydivers out there, what advice would you give me before I start AFF? Is there anything you would have done different when you were at my level to make skydiving more safe? Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #2 April 7, 2004 QuoteIs there anything that you recommend I need to do before I start? get ready to sell everything you have, loose friends and family, and also from time to time to drink a beer. let me introduce you to your new family and friends : the DZO, your instructors, the manufacturers, your fellow jumpers. now all the money you got by selling everything, you will spend it on : -jump courses -gear -jump tickets -beer Except from that, you're doing fine. Have a talk with the people at your future DZ, they will be most happy to help you, and certainly even happier if you do not arrive to them with ready made ideas on many things that you will have read here. Congratulations for the tandems. Hope your continuation will be successful. Oooh, and by the way, the advice will cost you a jump ticket scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #3 April 7, 2004 Hi There! Congratulations on your desision to do AFF. As an AFF instructor, I dream about having students who have prepaired themselves to the degree you have! WRT the DZ, you should feel as though you're dealing with proffesionals, but somehow (certainly after a few jumps) that you also belong there. Skydiving, from a physical point of view, is incredibly easy to learn, as long as you listen to (and hear) what your Instructor is telling you. If you don't understand, don't nod and say "yes" or they'll think you've got it. Enjoy your dives! tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #4 April 7, 2004 sounds like you have already made some good preparations, well done. You could try working on breathing control. This will be handy for keeping your nerves at manageable levels should you get really bad butterflies, but will also help you keep your body relaxed during freefall, and being relaxed is key. Practice visualisation technique - so by that i mean when you are doing something, like cooking a bacon sandwich or whatever, close your eyes for a while and try and picture yourself from a cameramans perspectice up and behind you - try and vidualise what you are doing from an external 360 degree view. This is very useful when you visualise your dive plan - it allows you to see yourself and your body movements as you perform actions. Try and visualise what you see too with your eyes closed i.e. close your eyes but still see the bacon cooking in the pan and whats around you etc. I know that sounds a little Yoda like, but i think you know what im getting at. You could stretch - it doesnt hurt to be nice and supple especially when banging out a good arch. Like it says in Dan's book, get on a stool/chair and bang an arch out and hold a box man position - this will help strengthen your small of back muscles. Above all, enjoy it Good luck and have fun! "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nael 0 #5 April 7, 2004 I just started AFF last weekend, and I found it extremely helpful reading lotsa stuff before(mostly on the net) and also talking to some people around the dz. I already knew what was what on a parachute which really helped for obvious reasons, but it also helped for idetifying malfunctions and stuff. If you know whats what and can visualise it happening it makes it a whole lot easier. Chances are you're already familiar with that, so go have some fun. Good luck!www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #6 April 7, 2004 Hi Camron. . .I don't live in the desert but I do go out there quite a bit. I have not heard of the Palm Springs DZ before so I don't know much about it. Call to make sure they are still in operation. If they are not, I would highly recommend either Perris or Elsinore as alternatives. It take me about an hour and a half to get to these DZ's from La Quinta (not bad considering most peoples commutes and I only drive the speed limit cause I hate tickets) and both are large dz's with lots to offer first timers. Each one has its own vibe so visit both to see what you like and then you can make the decision on where to do your AFF. I will be in La Quinta this weekend if you want to chat about it. Let me know via PM. . . P.S. I am a newbie and won't offer advise on how to prepare for AFF, you have already done WAY more than I did when I started. Your instructors are going to love you. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #7 April 7, 2004 Sounds like you're starting off way more prepared than the average student. I think before AFF all I had done was looked at some skydiving pictures and read the DZs website a few times. But just remember that there can be multiple ways to do things and teach things. Listen to your instructors and not the books (when they conflict). The books are probably right (instructors can be wrong), but it's the instructors that you need to count on. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #8 April 7, 2004 With that level of preparation I am sure that you will shock and impress your instructor! That said, a lot of people (myself included) fluff at least one level of AFF. It can be very disheartening - my only advice is that if this happens keep your chin up and use it as a learning experience. Remember, we have (almost) all done it. Keep going!! Of course you will now probably fly through...*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrenchyDiver 0 #9 April 7, 2004 Congrats, you have not only the right attitude, you have prepared yourself for it too. It's very rare to see people prepare themselves the way you have done it. Good for you. My only piece of advise, once you've found the DZ were you'll do your AFF, is to listen to your instructors. They are the ONES that have the correct answer to your questions. Besides that, I recommend that, until you get your license, you go and jump as often as you can afford. In my opinion, it is very important to jump regularly (every week end if possible) at that stage. Besides that, relax and enjoy the rides. Blue Skies JM Hispas Brothers President HISPA #2, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spatula 0 #10 April 7, 2004 You asked in your original post, about insurance. As a nobody with few few jump here my thoughts. If your concerned about life insurance, check into before you start jumping. Do some searches here for threads on it. The topic has been discussed many times. I'm getting mine squared away prior. It may be a bit easier according to some. Just my 2c though. Gather your own research and make an informed decision. Good luck to you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowflake 0 #11 April 8, 2004 I would highly recomend Canopy Control 150 from Skydive U and/or Brian Germains new book I believe the title is the canopy and it's pilot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #12 April 8, 2004 Quote Is there anything that you recommend I need to do before I start? 1. Save some money. Quote Sign up for some type of insurance or something like that? 2. Some type of health insurance is good for just incase your canopy control sucks. QuoteI know I'm required to sign up with the USPA before (I think) the fourth AFF jump. 3. Every USPA DZ will make you do this. Quote I also have two tandems under my belt as well as around 8 minutes of solo freefall experience thanks to a wind tunnel. 4. This will give you a great head start to learning to skydive, if you are able to control your stablity in the air. Now you just need to learn emergency procedures and to fly a canopy. QuoteWhat good skydiving school characteristics should I look for while I'm there? What makes a good one? 5. Get references. QuoteFor all of the real experienced skydivers out there, what advice would you give me before I start AFF? Refer to answer #1 Be safe.www.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
