skybytch 273 #1 December 19, 2001 After a really bad year I'll be getting back in the air after Christmas - Yay!! I've considered my physical condition - I can run across a room, hop on one or both feet and arch; I'm not 100% but hey, I'll probably never be 100% again and I'm okay with that. Mentally I'm ready - I've been dreaming about jumping for over a year, and right now I have a jumping goal to chase (being ready for the WWR next year). I'll be spending some time in a hanging harness first and jumping a canopy one size larger than I used to jump for at least the first 25 jumps back. But (and this is for all us grounded but soon to return to the air jumpers here, not just me) what other things should I be considering before I get back in the air? I'd like to hear from everyone that's "come back" from an injury, whether you had 2000 or 2 jumps when you broke.Thanks! pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,995 #2 December 19, 2001 I was in a similar situation about eight years ago. Before I jumped again, I wanted to be able to run a mile and jump off a 4 foot platform, just to make sure that a hard landing wouldn't put me back in a wheelchair. I did a lot of physical therapy to get my knee and leg stronger before I tried those two things.Once you're ready to jump, some things to keep in mind:1. Talk to a good orthopod. There are even some that are skydivers (I'm going out with one) and they can give you a better idea what kind of risks you're taking by jumping, and what to base your decision to jump on2. If you hurt something on one side of your body, you will favor that side. That will show up in freefall as a spin, but with a reasonable amount of experience you'll be able to counteract that pretty quickly. On landing, make a conscious effort to _not_ favor that part of you - you can hurt yourself even worse doing that. If you have to favor that leg/foot/knee to land at all, I would wait.3. Get the right equipment. (I'm guessing you probably have access to a spare canopy or two . . .) Obviously, bigger is better for your first few jumps..-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #3 December 19, 2001 I agree everything that Bill sez.Don't rush it, you've waited a year (2 1/2 for me when I came back into the fold) choose your weather as if you were a first timer.Apart from that, smile and relax, you will be apprehensive, but the fear soon fades, the demons are banished, and the smiles return.D. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tee 0 #4 December 19, 2001 SUPER!!! You must be soooooooooo excited! Tee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 643 #5 December 19, 2001 Back in 1987 I herniated a disc in my lower back and it took me several years to return to skydiving.The key was a physical fitness program that strenghtned all the muscles in my torso so they held my spine in correct alignment and prevented further injury.The first winter I just lay on the floor and moaned. When I tried resuming skydiving that spring, I re-injured my back.The second winter, I attended aerobics classes three times a week. The most important part of any aerobics classes is all the different types of sit ups. That got me into good enough shape to pass a Progressive Freefall Instructors' Course.The third winter I swam three or four times a week. That provided a gentle workout for injured back muscles and helped keep my weight within reason. Now I kayak or bicycle when it is sunny and attend aerobics classes two or three times a week. I am getting good enough that my instructor has recommended that I become an aerobics instructor. Oh! Perish the thought of having to spend more hours in a gym full of sweaty, hard breathing athletic young women! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #6 December 19, 2001 Broke the shit out of my left foot once. I was a little timid about jumping a T-10 after that since it remains a little weak to this day. I wrapped 100MPH tape around my boot for the first couple jumps but then realized it was no big deal. Just take it easy...jump a snivelly canopy and be careful with the landing and spot! Good luck Lisa...."Carb Heat On....Carb Heat On.....Carb Heat On..."-Phil Polstra Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #7 December 19, 2001 Lisa,Lemme know when, k? I jumped with different people on their first jumps back after injuries. Only did a couple of 2 ways with them. Falling down the pipe for them wasn't too difficult even with the "backsliding." So, I guess I didn't scare them, and discourage them from skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 273 #8 December 19, 2001 Saturday the 29th. Gonna start the day with some harness time then it's back "home" for me Solo first, but I'd love to build the 2nd one bigger... pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kirils 1 #9 December 20, 2001 Kudo's to you Lisa!My fiance' broke her leg on AFF #3 and after healing, broke her arm on AFF #9. We are both well aware of the courage and fortitude it takes to get back in full swing. You go girl! Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sebazz1 2 #10 December 20, 2001 Don't go and get on a big way(probably people you havn't jumped with in a while wil be itching to do something"fun" for your return).......keep it small.....pull high and land softly.All those initial nervous feelings you get when you first jumped in your life will be there again........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dove 0 #11 December 20, 2001 Lisa,Yippee for you! You must be SO psyched! Yeah, those nervous feelings will be there again, but they feel SOOOOO good! I wasn't off for that long when I had my collision in August but it was long enough (not to mention when your last experience skydiving resulted in an injury) to get the adrenaline coursing through my veins. It was heaven even before I exited the plane! A friend was waiting in the landing area with a camera and took my pic on landing. I framed it. You have never seen such a huge smile of pure bliss in your life. I call it my "rebirth"!!! Take advantage of the "newness" of the situation to get that first experience again - smell the air, feel it course over your body, take in the amazing sights! I know it sounds wacky, but how often do you jump just for the basic experience with the only goal to land? Hope you have fun safe jumps! Welcome back!dove Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Phil 0 #12 December 21, 2001 The only way to go Lisa. Be proud. So many skydivers had a minor accident and quit and left. I’m sure that many still have the desire to get back out there but don’t have the courage to do it. I wasted my 1st lumbar vertebra last year on October 28. It was on my Jump no 67, missed the wheelchair by a inch and a half. Had to donate a rib to reconstruct the vertebra. Spent almost 3 month in a rehab clinic and was back in the air by march. On my 3rd jump after the accident I had a very bad line twist and had to go for the silver. To make things worse – the main didn’t get off totally and so I was out with 2 chutes above my head. Finally the main got loose totally and I was looking for a spot to land. I was way out and didn’t make it home. Everybody at the DZ was about as scared as I was because they didn’t see me land. As I got back to the DZ and went to bring my reserve to be repacked, the Rigger gave me an other Rig to jump without even asking me if I wanted to…I had to get back on my horse. To tell you the truth, it was hell at the beginning. I was scared of the landing and was still missing the strength in my legs to really outrun a landing. I waited till June for the next couple of jumps, but my landings still sucked and that made it even harder. Yes there was a time when I was very close to give it up. But then things started to change. I landed better, my physical and mental condition became a lot better and I went up and down with smiles only. On my first jump after the accident I jumped with my best friend with whom I had done the AFF and everything else in my skydiving life. Surrounded by my skydiving friends and family I went back and loved it and the same time hated it for what it had done to me.Yeah go out there and enjoy the air rushing through you. The freedom and the kick – knowing that there is nothing out there, that can give you this feeling that you so badly missed.And it’s ok to share a tear, than emotions make us go far and beyond.To make things worse – I just ordered my new rig !Blue skies to all of us sky freaks – enjoy the coming holiday season and go for your dreams.Phil 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. 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riggerrob 643 #5 December 19, 2001 Back in 1987 I herniated a disc in my lower back and it took me several years to return to skydiving.The key was a physical fitness program that strenghtned all the muscles in my torso so they held my spine in correct alignment and prevented further injury.The first winter I just lay on the floor and moaned. When I tried resuming skydiving that spring, I re-injured my back.The second winter, I attended aerobics classes three times a week. The most important part of any aerobics classes is all the different types of sit ups. That got me into good enough shape to pass a Progressive Freefall Instructors' Course.The third winter I swam three or four times a week. That provided a gentle workout for injured back muscles and helped keep my weight within reason. Now I kayak or bicycle when it is sunny and attend aerobics classes two or three times a week. I am getting good enough that my instructor has recommended that I become an aerobics instructor. Oh! Perish the thought of having to spend more hours in a gym full of sweaty, hard breathing athletic young women! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #6 December 19, 2001 Broke the shit out of my left foot once. I was a little timid about jumping a T-10 after that since it remains a little weak to this day. I wrapped 100MPH tape around my boot for the first couple jumps but then realized it was no big deal. Just take it easy...jump a snivelly canopy and be careful with the landing and spot! Good luck Lisa...."Carb Heat On....Carb Heat On.....Carb Heat On..."-Phil Polstra Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #7 December 19, 2001 Lisa,Lemme know when, k? I jumped with different people on their first jumps back after injuries. Only did a couple of 2 ways with them. Falling down the pipe for them wasn't too difficult even with the "backsliding." So, I guess I didn't scare them, and discourage them from skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 273 #8 December 19, 2001 Saturday the 29th. Gonna start the day with some harness time then it's back "home" for me Solo first, but I'd love to build the 2nd one bigger... pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Kirils 1 #9 December 20, 2001 Kudo's to you Lisa!My fiance' broke her leg on AFF #3 and after healing, broke her arm on AFF #9. We are both well aware of the courage and fortitude it takes to get back in full swing. You go girl! Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sebazz1 2 #10 December 20, 2001 Don't go and get on a big way(probably people you havn't jumped with in a while wil be itching to do something"fun" for your return).......keep it small.....pull high and land softly.All those initial nervous feelings you get when you first jumped in your life will be there again........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dove 0 #11 December 20, 2001 Lisa,Yippee for you! You must be SO psyched! Yeah, those nervous feelings will be there again, but they feel SOOOOO good! I wasn't off for that long when I had my collision in August but it was long enough (not to mention when your last experience skydiving resulted in an injury) to get the adrenaline coursing through my veins. It was heaven even before I exited the plane! A friend was waiting in the landing area with a camera and took my pic on landing. I framed it. You have never seen such a huge smile of pure bliss in your life. I call it my "rebirth"!!! Take advantage of the "newness" of the situation to get that first experience again - smell the air, feel it course over your body, take in the amazing sights! I know it sounds wacky, but how often do you jump just for the basic experience with the only goal to land? Hope you have fun safe jumps! Welcome back!dove Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Phil 0 #12 December 21, 2001 The only way to go Lisa. Be proud. So many skydivers had a minor accident and quit and left. I’m sure that many still have the desire to get back out there but don’t have the courage to do it. I wasted my 1st lumbar vertebra last year on October 28. It was on my Jump no 67, missed the wheelchair by a inch and a half. Had to donate a rib to reconstruct the vertebra. Spent almost 3 month in a rehab clinic and was back in the air by march. On my 3rd jump after the accident I had a very bad line twist and had to go for the silver. To make things worse – the main didn’t get off totally and so I was out with 2 chutes above my head. Finally the main got loose totally and I was looking for a spot to land. I was way out and didn’t make it home. Everybody at the DZ was about as scared as I was because they didn’t see me land. As I got back to the DZ and went to bring my reserve to be repacked, the Rigger gave me an other Rig to jump without even asking me if I wanted to…I had to get back on my horse. To tell you the truth, it was hell at the beginning. I was scared of the landing and was still missing the strength in my legs to really outrun a landing. I waited till June for the next couple of jumps, but my landings still sucked and that made it even harder. Yes there was a time when I was very close to give it up. But then things started to change. I landed better, my physical and mental condition became a lot better and I went up and down with smiles only. On my first jump after the accident I jumped with my best friend with whom I had done the AFF and everything else in my skydiving life. Surrounded by my skydiving friends and family I went back and loved it and the same time hated it for what it had done to me.Yeah go out there and enjoy the air rushing through you. The freedom and the kick – knowing that there is nothing out there, that can give you this feeling that you so badly missed.And it’s ok to share a tear, than emotions make us go far and beyond.To make things worse – I just ordered my new rig !Blue skies to all of us sky freaks – enjoy the coming holiday season and go for your dreams.Phil 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
skybytch 273 #8 December 19, 2001 Saturday the 29th. Gonna start the day with some harness time then it's back "home" for me Solo first, but I'd love to build the 2nd one bigger... pull and flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirils 1 #9 December 20, 2001 Kudo's to you Lisa!My fiance' broke her leg on AFF #3 and after healing, broke her arm on AFF #9. We are both well aware of the courage and fortitude it takes to get back in full swing. You go girl! Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #10 December 20, 2001 Don't go and get on a big way(probably people you havn't jumped with in a while wil be itching to do something"fun" for your return).......keep it small.....pull high and land softly.All those initial nervous feelings you get when you first jumped in your life will be there again........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #11 December 20, 2001 Lisa,Yippee for you! You must be SO psyched! Yeah, those nervous feelings will be there again, but they feel SOOOOO good! I wasn't off for that long when I had my collision in August but it was long enough (not to mention when your last experience skydiving resulted in an injury) to get the adrenaline coursing through my veins. It was heaven even before I exited the plane! A friend was waiting in the landing area with a camera and took my pic on landing. I framed it. You have never seen such a huge smile of pure bliss in your life. I call it my "rebirth"!!! Take advantage of the "newness" of the situation to get that first experience again - smell the air, feel it course over your body, take in the amazing sights! I know it sounds wacky, but how often do you jump just for the basic experience with the only goal to land? Hope you have fun safe jumps! Welcome back!dove Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil 0 #12 December 21, 2001 The only way to go Lisa. Be proud. So many skydivers had a minor accident and quit and left. I’m sure that many still have the desire to get back out there but don’t have the courage to do it. I wasted my 1st lumbar vertebra last year on October 28. It was on my Jump no 67, missed the wheelchair by a inch and a half. Had to donate a rib to reconstruct the vertebra. Spent almost 3 month in a rehab clinic and was back in the air by march. On my 3rd jump after the accident I had a very bad line twist and had to go for the silver. To make things worse – the main didn’t get off totally and so I was out with 2 chutes above my head. Finally the main got loose totally and I was looking for a spot to land. I was way out and didn’t make it home. Everybody at the DZ was about as scared as I was because they didn’t see me land. As I got back to the DZ and went to bring my reserve to be repacked, the Rigger gave me an other Rig to jump without even asking me if I wanted to…I had to get back on my horse. To tell you the truth, it was hell at the beginning. I was scared of the landing and was still missing the strength in my legs to really outrun a landing. I waited till June for the next couple of jumps, but my landings still sucked and that made it even harder. Yes there was a time when I was very close to give it up. But then things started to change. I landed better, my physical and mental condition became a lot better and I went up and down with smiles only. On my first jump after the accident I jumped with my best friend with whom I had done the AFF and everything else in my skydiving life. Surrounded by my skydiving friends and family I went back and loved it and the same time hated it for what it had done to me.Yeah go out there and enjoy the air rushing through you. The freedom and the kick – knowing that there is nothing out there, that can give you this feeling that you so badly missed.And it’s ok to share a tear, than emotions make us go far and beyond.To make things worse – I just ordered my new rig !Blue skies to all of us sky freaks – enjoy the coming holiday season and go for your dreams.Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
