xavenger 0 #1 January 27, 2004 Apart from my first 10 "ever" jumps (AFF and retakes) I've never really been scared of jumping outta planes. Don't get me wrong I've always had a healthy appreciation .. a little bit of nervousness .. occasionally butterflies .. compulsion to check my handles about 5 times in the plane - but no real "fear" as such. Now I haven't jumped since November, bad weather, hard work and all - but in a few weeks I am going to sunny Florida where I'll get a few in. The thing is, and I can hardly believe it, I think I'm gonna be ... ... scared! It might turn out that on the day - I am not scared at all, but thinking about it now gets my adrenaline going. This last winter has been my first ever break from skydiving - not an amazing achievement given that I only started skydiving in August. Do you lovely people ever feel an increase in nerves after a break - or am I just completely pathetic and should I immediately stop calling himself a man, forget skydiving and become a sheep herder? Thoughts and comments on a postcard to ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #2 January 27, 2004 I cant advise you on what you should call yourself but I CAN tell you that its normal. I took 8+ years off and returned to jumping this past November. In the weeks leading up to my first return jumps I was apprehensive and even fearful at times when thinking about it. When "The Big Day" actually arrived I was a bit nervous but nothing like what I had felt weeks before. I felt much better one I got that first one under my belt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #3 January 27, 2004 lol... its funny. I'm more scared on the ground now than I am in the door. Used to have MAJOR door phobia. I'm a little freaked and nervous til I manifest, and then I'm concentrating on exit, dirt dive, packing, etc, til time to get on the plane, and then I'm fine. LOL. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #4 January 27, 2004 I am with Nightingale on this one. . .had MAJOR door fear but now I have more anxiety on the ground. Once on the plane, the fear melts to anticipation. . .when the door opens I am WANTING to hurl my body out. . .too funny. . .________________________________________ 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
Ron 10 #5 January 27, 2004 Yeah that one week I took off since it was to cold reall got me scared. It was like 50 degrees out!!!!! Florida rocks. Its normal....It's natural....It's healthy. Don't push it when you first get back."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygrl70 0 #6 January 27, 2004 So glad it's not just me!!! I have 35 jumps and I have not jumped since November (for alot of the same reasons, was working ALOT..as soon as I quit the part time jobs, the weather got COLD)... and am getting on a plane this evening to get to warmer climates and jump, jump, jump at the New Orleans Skydiving Center. And I'm a little scared!! I was really starting to get very comfortable w/the door. My feelings are a little mixed. I 'm not looking forward to the ride up AT ALL.. That was always the hardest on me mentally. I'm sure it's a minor anxiety attack waiting to happen. Going to do my best to be very aware of my breathing. BUT actually looking forward to to the door!!!!! I wanna just throw myself out that door and fly dammit!!! I'll be doing my refresher w/someone I know and love jumping with, so that also makes it a little easier!! And I'm looking forward to just getting there and seeing some great people I haven't seen in a while!!!!! So, yes I too am nervous..but it's all good..will have a great time!!!!!!! You'll be fine in Florida..have a blast!!!! Now I actually have to start getting myself together and wait to get picked up to go to the airport and get out of this SNOW HELL!!!! Peace....be safe..have FUN!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda965 0 #7 January 27, 2004 I am the same way as most of you that I have just read about. I get scared on the ground and sometimes I get scared when discussing certain issues pertaining to skydiving, but I am done with the door phobia. In a week or so, I will be doing my first jump in 2 1/2 months. I have more experience now than I did during my last break, so I am more confident, but I can still sense a little bit of apprehension in me! When I think about the fact that little me likes to hurtle myself at the earth at high speeds from a height so high that you cannot be viewed from the ground, that kinda freaks me out. When I actually do it, it is all easy going and so much fun. That is why I love skydiving so much!!Blue skies and SAFE landings! ~Amanda~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bertusgeert 1 #8 January 27, 2004 We all agree, WINTER SUCKS! I jumped regularly, then once a month to keep current, and the feeling you get when you started returns. I LOVE IT! I'm nervous now, just thinking about it! Then you know you are on jump run, and you ask yourself WHY AM I DOING THIS!? Then the door opens, and its like seeing heaven! All the fear is gone, and pure exstacy is ahead! JUMP! No better way I can describe how much I love this sport and its people, you all rock! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mwabd1 0 #9 January 27, 2004 Winter breaks, what is that???? Here in sunny florida there is no break! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites xavenger 0 #10 January 27, 2004 Oh you and your sunshine state - shut up!! There are a lot of good things about skydiving in the UK you know.. like .. erm .. you know ... you know .. the erm .. anyway mush dash .. bye .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rocketdog 0 #11 January 27, 2004 if it WASN'T normal to get scared then EVERYONE would do it !.... *good luck in FL!* see the world! http://gorocketdog.blogspot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gerryfuss 0 #12 January 27, 2004 I probably am scared deep down but I guess I tell myself i'm not and I must be a pretty good liar because it seems to work. I hate the wating to get into the plane. I become very calm and relaxed on the ride up, and then anticipate the exit because it's so much fun to throw yourself out of that perfectly good plane. I too am on leave from skydiving due to weather and funds. I haven't jumped since october and won't be till probably may. It Sucks!,.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mcrocker 0 #13 January 28, 2004 It is hard to tell if it is me shaking or the cessna working the last bit of cobwebs out of the pistons. After an extended period of not jumping I am very 'awake' when I actually do jump. Fear is always part of it, I don't know if I visibly tremble but I am nervous. Once I get into the air it all comes back until the time I need to deploy then fear comes rushing back until I'm under a good canopy. The canopy ride is ussually tell my self "See it wasn't so bad you chicken shit" and wonder why I didn't get my knees in the breeze sooner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivingNurse 0 #14 January 28, 2004 I have a grand total of six jumps, and sitting here thinking about it, I know I'll have some fear when I'm standing in the door whenever the weather here allows me to jump again, and call me wierd, but that seems like half the fun. I hope I don't lose that feeling any time soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LuvToFly 0 #15 January 28, 2004 Amy, Used to have nervousness going from the seated position to the door - but not in the door. Just the short walk there. Go Figure? (That's probably because the modified King Air was so tight it was a bear to get from sitting to standing/stooping) Seriously though, you may be nervous up to the point where it's time to go for it. But if you are like most folks, once you leave the plane, you'll be zoned into your flight, and be enjoying under canopy before you know it - Nervousness is nature's way of telling us to pay attention - Review your emergency procedures and rehearse them a few times. It feels right to be prepared - and then.. enjoy the sky :) "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 ames_i 0 #16 January 28, 2004 I only have 13 jumps so far and am suffering the whole English winter thing too!!! What worries me is my lack of experience coupled with the time between jumps. Going to be doing a jelly impression... by the time I get back up! Have booked a four day stint in Spain at Empuriabrava for Easter but have fingers, legs, arms etc crossed to be jumping before then Totally agree with the short 'walk' to the door thing. That's the worst bit!!!!Just show me the door.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites grega 0 #17 January 28, 2004 Huh i have the shakes after 3 weeks, when i'm used to summer jumping (every 3rd or 4th day.) I don't think about it, i just throw myself out of the plane. When I'm in the air it's all clear to me and want to do another jump even before the first one is over. "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites falxori 0 #18 January 28, 2004 i don't have a "winter break" O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tricky 0 #19 January 28, 2004 Heh, funny you should mention this. I have 20 jumps and I think somewhere in the teens of my jumps I got over my MAJOR door fear (that apparently many other have gotten over as well). I don't really know how or when I got over it... but here is a tip I found helps ALOT... "THE SKY IS MY FRIEND!" repeat that to yourself. LOL. I know it's goofy and strange, but it really worked for me. Since I was/am a student jumper, my coach and I were/are usually the last to exit the plane. So when the door opened, I thought "the sky is my friend" chuckled, took a deep breath smiled and went. As soon as I'm in the air... it's bliss and I'm fine. Give it a try, or not... I'm just offering my limited advice. ~laterz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dgskydive 0 #20 January 28, 2004 There is an easy way to fix that. Move to California! We jump all year long!Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
xavenger 0 #10 January 27, 2004 Oh you and your sunshine state - shut up!! There are a lot of good things about skydiving in the UK you know.. like .. erm .. you know ... you know .. the erm .. anyway mush dash .. bye .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocketdog 0 #11 January 27, 2004 if it WASN'T normal to get scared then EVERYONE would do it !.... *good luck in FL!* see the world! http://gorocketdog.blogspot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerryfuss 0 #12 January 27, 2004 I probably am scared deep down but I guess I tell myself i'm not and I must be a pretty good liar because it seems to work. I hate the wating to get into the plane. I become very calm and relaxed on the ride up, and then anticipate the exit because it's so much fun to throw yourself out of that perfectly good plane. I too am on leave from skydiving due to weather and funds. I haven't jumped since october and won't be till probably may. It Sucks!,.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mcrocker 0 #13 January 28, 2004 It is hard to tell if it is me shaking or the cessna working the last bit of cobwebs out of the pistons. After an extended period of not jumping I am very 'awake' when I actually do jump. Fear is always part of it, I don't know if I visibly tremble but I am nervous. Once I get into the air it all comes back until the time I need to deploy then fear comes rushing back until I'm under a good canopy. The canopy ride is ussually tell my self "See it wasn't so bad you chicken shit" and wonder why I didn't get my knees in the breeze sooner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydivingNurse 0 #14 January 28, 2004 I have a grand total of six jumps, and sitting here thinking about it, I know I'll have some fear when I'm standing in the door whenever the weather here allows me to jump again, and call me wierd, but that seems like half the fun. I hope I don't lose that feeling any time soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #15 January 28, 2004 Amy, Used to have nervousness going from the seated position to the door - but not in the door. Just the short walk there. Go Figure? (That's probably because the modified King Air was so tight it was a bear to get from sitting to standing/stooping) Seriously though, you may be nervous up to the point where it's time to go for it. But if you are like most folks, once you leave the plane, you'll be zoned into your flight, and be enjoying under canopy before you know it - Nervousness is nature's way of telling us to pay attention - Review your emergency procedures and rehearse them a few times. It feels right to be prepared - and then.. enjoy the sky :) "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
ames_i 0 #16 January 28, 2004 I only have 13 jumps so far and am suffering the whole English winter thing too!!! What worries me is my lack of experience coupled with the time between jumps. Going to be doing a jelly impression... by the time I get back up! Have booked a four day stint in Spain at Empuriabrava for Easter but have fingers, legs, arms etc crossed to be jumping before then Totally agree with the short 'walk' to the door thing. That's the worst bit!!!!Just show me the door.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #17 January 28, 2004 Huh i have the shakes after 3 weeks, when i'm used to summer jumping (every 3rd or 4th day.) I don't think about it, i just throw myself out of the plane. When I'm in the air it's all clear to me and want to do another jump even before the first one is over. "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #18 January 28, 2004 i don't have a "winter break" O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tricky 0 #19 January 28, 2004 Heh, funny you should mention this. I have 20 jumps and I think somewhere in the teens of my jumps I got over my MAJOR door fear (that apparently many other have gotten over as well). I don't really know how or when I got over it... but here is a tip I found helps ALOT... "THE SKY IS MY FRIEND!" repeat that to yourself. LOL. I know it's goofy and strange, but it really worked for me. Since I was/am a student jumper, my coach and I were/are usually the last to exit the plane. So when the door opened, I thought "the sky is my friend" chuckled, took a deep breath smiled and went. As soon as I'm in the air... it's bliss and I'm fine. Give it a try, or not... I'm just offering my limited advice. ~laterz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #20 January 28, 2004 There is an easy way to fix that. Move to California! We jump all year long!Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
