flyboy8501 0 #1 September 8, 2012 I haven't jumped since early march this year and Won't jump until February of next year. I was always a strong natural when it came to progressing. My question is.. What are some things I can do productively in Afghanistan short of jumping that will keep me fresh? I try to visualize jumps and the moves I would make but I know that's not the same. Who has gone through this before and what did you do? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 September 8, 2012 Visualizing and watching videos is about all you can do. Even though you don't have a lot of jumps, it is kinda like riding a bike. You'll remember how to save yourself. Your flying won't be all that great at first, but it comes back quick. Come home safe. And thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyboy8501 0 #3 September 8, 2012 Thanks for your input! And I'll do my best to come home safe! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 September 8, 2012 Don't be that guy who comes back and tries to minimize the importance of re-currency training, no matter how much of a natural you were with your progression. As skybytch said, you'll probably remember everything pretty well, but it won't hurt and it will help quite a bit to go over all the basics with an instructor or coach."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cadillaccanopy 0 #5 September 8, 2012 I just returned from about a 7 year break, with 120 jumps before I quit....various TDYs to Afghanistan as well.. Anyway, as others have said, its like riding a bike. I sat in on some of a first jump course, for the malfunctions, cut away practice, etc. Then for the recurrency jump, we did a 2-way that felt almost like I hadn't ever quit skydiving. dont forget your reflective belt... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rigger226 0 #6 September 8, 2012 Quote dont forget your reflective belt... True statement...I am convinced I wouldn't have even needed to go thru AFF if I would have had the reflective belt. It gives such mad skillz!!! LOL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyboy8501 0 #7 September 9, 2012 Ha that reminded me of a picture I saw on facebook, 4 soldiers sitting down looking all sad and shit, the captions said "We were going to eat chow but we couldn't find our reflective belt" Best shit ever! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hcsvader 1 #8 September 9, 2012 One thing you can do that would be productive would be to read. The SIMs Brian Germaine's books Dan BCs bookHave you seen my pants? it"s a rough life, Livin' the dream >:) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEB6363 0 #9 September 10, 2012 Come Home Safe - First. If you make it out to my DZ I'll run through all the refresher and your recurrancy dive free... It is a little review, mal photos, aircraft emergency, hanging harness, etc. Then basically a 2-way jump going back through the basics. While you are deployed, just keep in good health and go through your EPs once in a while. Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #10 September 10, 2012 Some tunnel time when you get back might help a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shibu 1 #11 September 10, 2012 QuoteDon't be that guy who comes back and tries to minimize the importance of re-currency training, no matter how much of a natural you were with your progression. As skybytch said, you'll probably remember everything pretty well, but it won't hurt and it will help quite a bit to go over all the basics with an instructor or coach. +1. I had less than 40 jumps when I took a 4 year break so I may be overemphasizing this but re-currency training is important. It wasn't until I was in the air that I realized that it was NOT like riding a bike... at least not for me. After relaxing & not trying to do too much I felt much better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shibu 1 #12 September 10, 2012 QuoteOne thing you can do that would be productive would be to read. The SIMs Brian Germaine's books Dan BCs book That's good advice. Read while you are away & do re-currency training when you get back. Thank you for your service btw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #13 September 10, 2012 Add to your reading list: The Skydiver's Survival Guide http://www.amazon.com/Skydivers-Survival-Guide-Second-Edition/dp/0971598096The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaitken 0 #14 September 12, 2012 I just returned after a 5-year layoff. I had roughly 140 jumps previously. I re-read the SIM, visualized malfunctions, and over the last 18 months spent about 2 hours in the tunnel -- mostly working on freeflying, but also spending some time each visit doing basic belly skills. When I finally got out to the DZ I did some hanging harness training and a general refresher with my instructor before my recurrency jump. The good news is that he told me afterwards that he couldn't tell that I had been out of the sport. The bad news is that the one thing that benefited me the most (the tunnel) is the one thing you don't have access to over in the sandbox. If you can afford it when you get back, even a few minutes in the tunnel is well worth it IMO, and will likely make the recurrency jump a breeze. Other than that, keep your head down and check six!"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." --Mario Andretti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
