I froze.....

[bluegremlin 0]

I froze on the step, It was my second free fall (3 second delay), I Climbed out no problem got ready to jump, Heard my instructor shout GO, but for the first time, i just stood there and looked back at my instructor (And for some reason shouted back "What did you say") He gave me a Big smile and shouted GO and i hesitated for a moment before jumping, But when i jumped i didnt arch, so i kinda jusr floped about for 2 seconds, then arched as i pulled.
It was one of the scariest things just looking back at him and not leaving the step.
It probebly has something to do with the fact that my best friend had just been taken to hospital after a bad landing on his first jump (See incidents fourm for more info)
But i dont want it to happen again and risk me not jumping and getting back in the plane or something.
I think the fact that i passed the level was a bost for me but i still feel wierd. Any advice or anyone went through a similar experience?

[freeryde13 0]

my advice is...don't worry about it. practice your exits on the ground more too. that way when you get in the door your instincts and muscle memory will take over. i had a nervous feeling on aff 2 and 3. when they let go of me on 2 i was scared shitless at the instability. on 3 i didn't arch and tumbled all the way to about 6or 7k. my instructor told me that if i hadn't pulled out of it when i did he was gonna pull my chut open himself. at that point i didn't think i could get stable and thought maybe it was,nt for me. ....... i practiced my arch on the ground and got it .. t gets better and funner all the time bro. just keeeeep on jumping.

_________________________________________

people see me as a challenge to their balance

[hmatousek 0]

I think most everyone freezes at one point or another. We all question our fate in this sport. I know I have froze (not at the door) but mid skydive when thinking what I was sopposed to do next. The more you jump the easier it becomes. Take a few deep breaths in the plane when the green light comes on and relax. The deep breathing really helps to relax.

Blue Skies,
Heather

Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful!

[FrogNog 1]

My advice:
1. It doesn't mean nothing. You almost slipped off the horse, but you held on. Ride it again.
2. If your JMs are like my JMs were, once your butt is past the doorframe, "getting back in the plane" is not an option, barring extreeeemely unlikely circumstances.

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[champu 1]

It's called brain-lock. When you get something else (or in some cases, absolutely nothing) on your mind during a jump and you end up with a dumb look on your face and freeze up.

if it didn't happen all the time... well... there wouldn't be a witty nickname for it.

[orbitjunkie 0]

Everybody freezes now and then..if you meet 1 skydiver who says they are never afraid they are not in touch with either "A" the truth or "B" reality. try to differienciate and stay away from "B"

[LuvToFly 0]

Gary -

I think it is only natural to be a little spooked when you see your bud get hurt. It sort of brings it all home - especially a trip to the hospital.

There are a couple of things to consider

1) Do you feel prepared when you go up? I found it indispensible to find a nice quiet office doorway inside the drop zone and practice the entire process of the jump, starting from sitting on the floor of the make believe "plane."

2) How do you feel about the sport? Not everyone is cut out for this. That is not said to discourage you.. no way. But pay attention to what you are feeling about this. Do not let either $$, your feelings about yourself (which seem to be an issue in this post) or anyone else's opinion get you to step out of the plane. It's okay to say - "not feeling good about this one." If you know that, it might take the pressure off of you...

3) Training, and knowing what to do, fights fear. Ask your instructor to explain anything you may be in the slightest bit vague on.

One thing that really helped me in AFF..

I did really great, and kicked major booty - but I was not really having any fun to tell you the truth because I was concentrating so hard. Then I thought, "hey this costs toio frigin' much money for me not to be having a really great time doing it..." That changed me and I began to smile, relax, and really for the first time enjoy the experience. It was not that I had fear of jumping - it was that I was afraid to make any "mistakes" and wanted every jump to be textbook. And while most of them really were textbook, the price was no fun - that sucked.

So make sure it is fun for you - not careless fun, but informed fun. You may find that your anxiety just melts away and your performance benefits to boot as a bonus!!

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

[bluegremlin 0]

I cant wait for my next jump, Thanks to everyone that posted, And this is the sport for me, I love the feelings i have had from my 10 jumps and 6 seconds freefall and i cant wait to get back in that plane.

[Ian84 0]

Don't worry about it. I once made the mistake of trying to exit before the jump run while the props were still at full power.

My jumpmaster was pointing out the door and shouting something I couldnt hear........i assumed he was telling me to go and I stuck my legs out the door to get into the position we use(which is sit facing forward for students). When that wind hit I could have swore I was being sucked out the door, I couldnt move and my jumpmaster and another instructor pulled me back in. All this to the horrified looks of some tandems doing their first jump!! Eventually I got around to doing the jump and it went fine, but for a few jumps after I was fairly worried/embarrassed about what had happened.

Anyway when I landed I asked my instructor what he had been saying....he said he was pointing at the dropzone and saying "WE'RE MILES AWAY!!!!".......everyone, including myself laughed it off but it that didnt stop me thinking about it for a while afterwards.

Youll be fine. Good luck with the next one.

[RyanofOZ 0]

Dont worry brutha! I just finished AFF and on my level 5 got a scare when I went into a spin I could not recover from. I was nervous all the way up because I had done level 2, 3, and 4 already that morning and was a little overwhelmed. After the spin I took the next 2 days off to return to a picture perfect 5, 6, 7, and 8. I felt great and confident. I did not feel anywhere close to that two days before when I was spinning wondering if I was ever going to stop! I still puled and landed fine, but I was freaked out.

Keep jumping, it will all be so much fun very soon! I think almost everybody gets a little freaked out at some point during AFF. For gods sake your jumping out of a plane for the first few times in your life. Keep up the good work and I am sure you will do great!

Ryan

Oz