High Anxiety - your thoughts please

[A12 0]

Hey Everyone,

I haven't posted in awhile, trying to finish off college and work etc...

Anyway, I have a concern. I've managed to complete the first 9 AFF jumps without too much mess ups. I'm now at the stage that I can start making solo jumps. I'm thrilled to be at this level because now I am close to reaching Class A license and the jumps get cheaper. But....and this is the problem...I'm getting REALLY REALLY high anxiety about jumping.

I have yet to make my first solo jump, in this past August, I actually drove and hour to the DZ only to sit around sick to my stomache. I haven't jumped since this past August. Not only do I get anxiety while I am AT the DZ but I get the anxiety just thinking about it. Now with the weather getting better, I find myself looking out at the clear blue skies longing to free fall for a blissful 45 seconds...and then I find myself feeling anxious.

I guess, I am just curious if this has happened to anyone else. Is this something that happens to some people when making the transition from instructor assisted jumps to solo?

Any info would be great, I love jumping and I want to get all my license and my own rig eventually, but I don't know how to tackle this anxiety that I am having.


thanks!

Adam

If you want to fly, get out of the plane!

My Homepage
My Blogger

[skygod7777 0]

i used to get it a bit when i was a student. hell, after i didn't have a riser cover realse from one jump, i was so freaked out, i almost quit (i was 11 or 12). scared the piss out of me. and i just said i really love this stuff so much, i just went up. and now, i am glad i didin't quit when i thought about it.

but do what you think is best for you. if your so nervous that it may affect you, take a big breath, and calm down.

remember, that jumping out of a plane is safer than that hour drive you make to go out to the dz to make the skydive. and i bet you don't get that nervous ever time you jump in the car do you.

later

[Casch 0]

What your feeling is a lot like what I went through with Static-line training. My first jump without the static-line was a little unsettling. I had all those crazy butterflies and such. Mix that with a long absense from skydiving and you're all freaked out. It's perfectly normal to be anxious, what isn't normal is throwing yourself from an aircraft 2 miles above the earth. It's just NOT NORMAL!!! But you will get used to it. I recommend going to the DZ and just talking with your instructors and possibly other students. I think you'll find that your anxiety will subside enough to get you in (and out) of the plane.

[riggerrob 643]

The only people who are NOT nervous while jumping are fools and liars!

[lewmonst 0]

Way to go on making it through level 9... It sounds like you are facing you fears. Is your anxiety like butterflies of nervousness or fear of something fatally going wrong?
It sounds like you might just be getting butterflies, like I used to get butterflies before i had to play basketball games in high school, performance anxiety. I'd also gotten them a little before a few skydives. I think i was more worried about messing up. Like forgetting what i was supposed to do, on either a coach jump or when I was jumping with a 5 way... For me, they went away with more jumps as I learned more, practiced more and gained confidence in my own skills...
If your anxiety is more of a "oh my god what if i die..." then that's a bit different, and common in the beginning also. the more you learn about your gear and how it works helps with those anxieties. Also remember, some fear is good. You needs to have your wits about when you skydive. To be totally fearless can be dangerous. Just make sure you fear or anxiety isn't so much that it disables you. If you're so scared you can't think straight, then take a step back and ask yourself why you want to skydive.

all that said, it sounds like you just have butterflies...
keep jumping! learn as much as you can on the ground, observe, observe, observe... practice, practice, practice...

peace

http://www.exitshot.com

[Hooknswoop 19]

Don't worry, that is normal. Sit down with an instructor and review your emergency procedures. That should give you a bit of confidence to ease the anxiety. Also, jumping w/ an Instructor or Coach should help too, knowing that someone will be watching over your shoulder to make sure everything goes smoothly should ease your anxiety. Trust yourself. Your Instructor(s) wouldn't have cleared you to self-jumpmaster if they didn't feel you were ready. Finally, remember that that anxiety is one of the things that got you hooked on the sport, the feeling of accomplishment for overcoming your fears.

Hook

[lazerq3 0]

Man I still get nervous ass hell right before every jump..(all 127) .....when we're on jump run I have to grab handles at LEAST 3 times....BUT the second that I leave the plane it all goes away ....its wierd to be so tensed up one second and then the next completly relaxed....but hey its what keeps me coming back for more , and its what'll keep you comingback...Like tom hanks said " Its suppose to hard ..if it wasnt everone would do it...its the hard that mnakes it fun!!"

jason

Freedom of speech includes volume

[AggieDave 6]

Generally speaking, I don't get worked up or nervous before jumps any more. Not since my 30th jump or so, although everyonce in a while, something will make me nervous (like my first night jump, stuff like that), BUT that's why we practice our emergancy proceedures.

What you're experiencing is normal, follow the advice that Hooknswoop gave you and don't worry about it!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[betzilla 56]

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this past August, I actually drove and hour to the DZ only to sit around sick to my stomache

Hey Adam, don't beat yourself up. After my first winter layoff from jumping, I drove an hour to the DZ, only to drive right by and go back home, not once, but TWICE! The only reason I sucked it up and turned in to the parking lot the third time was because somebody I knew was in the car behind me on the road. And I had 50 jumps at the time.

Nerves are a normal part of this great sport. I tell people skydiving is all about "fear management." If you weren't scared in some way, how safe would you be as a jumper?

I suspect that, once you get a couple solo jumps under your belt, you'll chill out a little. It was about jump 30 for me where I finally felt like I had my shit together. I was safe before that, but my confidence was low.

When you go to your DZ, know that most people there felt the way you do, even if they won't admit it.
By the way, I recently made my first jump back after nine months out with an injury. I was really scared when I thought about it, but (and here's the key) once I went to manifest and put myself on that load, my nervousness ceased. It was trying to make the decision that sucked. From getting in the plane to getting out was just like riding a bike. But way more fun.

[ixlr82 7]

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Anyway, I have a concern. I've managed to complete the first 9 AFF jumps without too much mess ups.

Not the most optimistic take on a great accomplishment. Congratulations! My wife and I both went through a great deal of anxiety at your stage. Some people appear not to. I don't necessarily envy them. I got the most amazing high going through the fear/anxiety...and I think that's the key. Going through those feelings, not around them. In other words do what you have to do to get yourself out of the plane. The jump numbers will help get the anxiety down. DOOR! I used to dread that word, now I salivate.

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[wmw999 2,439]

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Is your anxiety like butterflies of nervousness or fear of something fatally going wrong?

To A12 -- my butterflies were roughly the size of vultures during my static line jumps. Gut-wrenching fear. I gutted it out only because I -- I don't even really know why. But I did.

The first freefall was, hands down, one of the top 2 or three jumps I've ever had, and that was in 1975 and a bunch of jumps ago. It's the jump that proves you can do it. You have the support there -- but by that time, everyone but you knows that you can do it.

And you can.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Yep, you are scared. Been there done that. I have been on jumps when in the airplane I was sure something would go wrong. Somehow I always managed to get through it.

It is totally normal to feel the way you do, I was way scared to do my first solo jump so I asked a friend Johnny Luv if he would go out and shoot some video of me on my first solo.

For some reason I just felt safer knowing Johnny was there and geeking his camera took my mind off of being alone. I guess it wasn't a "real" solo jump since he was there but I didn't care, I felt comfortable and that was what mattered to me. So I would say if you are so nervous that you are getting stomach aches over it yet you really want to skydive and it sounds like you do and like you need to ...

find someone you trust or an instructor and go out with them. Then when you clear the cobwebs a little from being uncurrent wait you said you have not made a jump since August??? Well in that case you definitely should jump with an instructor. In fact I believe if you have not gotten your A license and go more than 30 days without jumping you need a refresher course and a level 4 skydive with an AFF I. Contact your home DZ and ask them but it is my understanding that you would need to complete a refresher. Does anyone know for sure who can enlighten me? I will check the Skydivers Information Manual and post what I find out tomorrow.

Blue skies.

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[debonair 0]

Hi Adam.

Everyone has pretty much said the same thing. I'll add my personal experience in case it's helpful.

I learned thru the static line process. I would wake up on Monday still buzzed over the jump(s) I'd made that past weekend. I'd talk excitedly to anyone at work who would listen and be all hyped up for the next opportunity to jump. On Tuesday the buzz would lessen but still I was on a "high" by Wednesday I'd start to dread the weekend. Thursday and Friday I'd start to get a sick feeling in my stomache. Saturday morning I'd force myself to go out to the DZ and sit in the parking lot for a while. Once I got in the door I went straight to the bathroom where I promptly got (sorry but it's true) the shits. As soon as I had my rig on my back I was calm and perfectly capable to do my jump. Of course on Monday, the whole cycle would start again.

Like someone else wrote, by around 25-30 jumps you start to feel more comfortable with the ongoing concept of throwing yourself out of the plane. But in the beginning, putting my student rig on was the thing that settled me down the most.

Hang in there. If you pursevere (and you've already come so far!) you'll discover that the air is something you just can't live without.

Breathe. Slow and easy - it is possible to control the fear. You CAN do it!

AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY
"It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..."
- Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

[Fab 0]

*Hey Adam, don't beat yourself up. After my first winter layoff from jumping, I drove an hour to the DZ, only to drive right by and go back home, not once, but TWICE! *

This sounds awfully familiar. I'm glad I'm not the only idiot walking around on this earth :)

..Have kinda the same problem. AFF was a bit more expensive then I hoped it would be because I had to do some levels again.. so ran out of money. Then winter came and then I found myself having some trouble going back in the air again after the short layoff. Just couldn't bring myself to manifest, although I went to the DZ a lot of times (banging my head against a brick wall at this point). Conclusion: didn't jump the entire summer. Regretted it afterwards. The desire to skydive has only grew since then...

The longer you wait to get back up there, the harder it will be..

I WILL finish AFF this year.. even if they have to throw me in the @(#^&!@ airplane and kick me out at 12000ft.

*A hole is starting to appear in that brick wall, how did that happen ?*

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[hookitt 1]

Hey noshit... Johnny sure had that way about him huh

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This sounds awfully familiar. I'm glad I'm not the only idiot walking around on this earth :)

Dude... You just called Adam an Idiot .. sorry .. it's late and I'm easily amused at this hour.

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Adam You'll do fine. I read your log book on your Websight. It looks like you'll be going through a refresher which will re-inforce what you already know. Once you step out side the air craft, it will all make sense again. I STILL get anxious on certain dives. In the long run, it's all part of the fun. It's ok to accept fear. It's real and it's what keeps a person alive. You wouldn't have posted if hadn't already accepted it

There are some great suggestions in this thread. I'm glad you wrote this post just because of the good responses. Breathing is a common suggestion and it truly works wonders in skydiving as well as many other aspects of life. One key is consciously relaxing different body parts each time you exhale. breath in.......out... Relax the shoulders... Breath in.......OOooouut.. relax the stomach.. on the third just let the whole body relax, and then concertedly go over the dive, and tell yourself your ready. Try it now, and tell me you don't feel more relaxed

Leaping out of a plane is a silly concept. Human body flight (be it very vertical) is amazing. You've already experienced the beginning and you can do it again......and again.

Good luck You'll do fine.

Cheers
-

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Fab 0]

hehe..no no hookitt...I didn't called adam an idiot. Actually I called Betzilla an idiot ...my remark was in reply to * ........ * from Betzilla's post. It was late hmmmmmmm

Anyway...Aren't we all idiots to be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane?

Will nobody make the remark: "Dude..you haven't seen our airplanes yet" please?

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[JoHawley 0]

During my first 20 or so jumps I got quite nervous, but that pretty much goes away.
I still occassionally look at a gorgeous blue sky and think "Excellent. Jumping today!" followed by nervous butterflies or I sometimes feel nervous in the plane, but once I am in the door, all that is forgotten.
Stick with it. It'll get easier.
Jo

[darkwing 5]

Maybe focus on how you feel during and after the jump as a way to minimize how you feel before the jump.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[Brokeneagle 0]

Adam, You're definitely in good company- I was so afraid while I was a student that the closer I got to the DZ, the more I would break out into cold sweats, have terrible stomachaches, and several times even yarked from fear before the planned jump- I had a problem with unstoppable spins on release- thought I was not gonna ever make my dream of flying my body come true- had some AFF instructors that were uncaring and negative , but then, I found a patient and friendly instructor who took the time to help me do the hardest thing of all in skydiving- RELAX and enjoy the freedom-- and I realized that the immeasurable joy of jumping with your friends and the absolute breathtaking beauty of seeing the earth laid out before my eyes was exactly where I belonged in the first place- if it is indeed your desire to be here with us, trust in yourself; you will make it! Always have faith in yourself- you are the only one that knows what you really want- if it makes you happy, I say go for it, Adam! Brokeneagle, aka Faye.

I'm really very gentle, no matter what my kung-fu teacher says... he is giving me a reputation I do not deserve!

[skymama 37]

I'll join the club of people who were really anxious when they first started jumping. I had such a nervous stomach that I ended up losing 30 pounds just from not being able to eat up to 2 days before I had to go to my student training. I would pop pepto-bismol all the way to the dz. But, I knew I really enjoyed skydiving once I actually got out of the plane. So, I just gave myself pep talks and pretty much made myself face my fears head-on because I knew I had the training to skydive. It was all the "what-ifs" that were swimming around in my head making me nervous. Once you get a few more jumps under your belt and focus on the reality of the fact that you do have the training, it's easier to get over the hump.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Fab 0]

That's a nice thought darkwing...
You can also consider doing a tandem once..Perhaps that will be easier to begin with..or at least jump with an AFF-instructor.

Why is it that when we start with skydiving everything goes with relative ease. You're not too afraid of jumping. You still got the nerves ok..but you're doing it anyway. How come after a layoff you're experiencing more anxiety then you ever had before?

If you think about it....You have done this before and you're a whole lot wiser and more experienced then when you started your training. So basically you should be more relaxed instead of more stressed :)...

As I said before..I'm having the same problem as you so I know how difficult it is. I think you got some great advice of all the posters here which I'm also using for my own personal benefit :)..

I think if you really want to be up there ..the urge to skydive will some day be greater then your anxiety level and you'll go...

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[covey 0]

Hello Adam. I am new to the sport too. I just finished my eleventh jump Sunday. Jumps 8-10 were off student status but with a group doing RW. I switch from rip cord to boc on number 11. So I decided to treat it like a AFF 1 jump. It was also going to be completely solo for the first time. I was really nervous going up to altitude. That little hacky handle must have had the color worn off of it from me grabbing it so many times on the way up. When the door call came my stomach was in my throat. After the exit everything was back to normal though. After I completed the PRCPs I only noticed one thing really different, how lonely it was. It was still a great skydive there just wasn't anyone else too look at. Kind of like when you solo an airplane for the first time. After you get you refresher out of the way and see that you can still do it you will do fine i'm sure. Hopefully you will get blues skies this weekend and you can work on this hurdle some more. Good luck. Perhaps we will meet at a DZ someday.

Believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it. -Andre Gide

[A12 0]

Well, I am glad that I am not the only to have REALLY high anxiety. I know this summer I will jump again, I justed wanted some others perspectives on the whole idea.

Thanks!

If you want to fly, get out of the plane!

My Homepage
My Blogger

[A12 0]

Hehe, I didn't mean to make the first 9 jumps sound like nothing. I'm thrilled that I made it that far. When I said the mess ups, I was just thinking about the craziest jump I had when I ended up in a full throttle left spin that I couldn't get out of until I checked my altimeter (hello, Adam, raise up the left hand )

Anyway, again, thanks for all the advice guys. This summer, as soon as the weathers a tad warmers and I find someone to support my addiction, I'll be jumping once again.

Oh... and for those who don't know, you can actually find part of my logbook online at www.adam-twelve.com under the skydiving section.

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Anyway, I have a concern. I've managed to complete the first 9 AFF jumps without too much mess ups.

Not the most optimistic take on a great accomplishment. Congratulations! My wife and I both went through a great deal of anxiety at your stage. Some people appear not to. I don't necessarily envy them. I got the most amazing high going through the fear/anxiety...and I think that's the key. Going through those feelings, not around them. In other words do what you have to do to get yourself out of the plane. The jump numbers will help get the anxiety down. DOOR! I used to dread that word, now I salivate.

If you want to fly, get out of the plane!

My Homepage
My Blogger

[Luv2Fall 0]

I still get scared shitless..........want to turn around and go home before I reach the DZ almost everytime.

People notice my nervousness as I'm gearing up. When the door is open, I swear my nutsack goes up to my throat and when someone says "door" - I can't explain how I feel.

I can tell you, however, once I exit - the world is mine - I feel free........no nervousness nor fear. If either one's nervousness or fear isn't "dehabiliting", I think its good - keeps you alive in the long run - IMO.