Tigerfly

I've already left my 6 inch heels at home! How much "less girly" can I get?! haha my friends are already fascinated that I've even jumped out of a plane. I just feel like a bit embarrassed by the bruises around strangers. I live in Florida. Still wearing tanks and tee's. I go pick my kids up from school in the office and goshhh I can't imagine what they think! Lol. It really looks like someone has been grabbing my arms. That's all. I'm really not very girly. I hate shoe shopping. Can't understand the need for a new purse every month either. Would much rather save for a rig or spend it on jumps. but, I do think of it as a badge of honor I guess. Well, more like I look at the bruises and cry inside because I want to be jumping again, NOW!

I'm an average sized girl with an athletic build, 5'6 150bs, ***Quote That describes me perfectly. Just delete the athletic build though for me. Someday I hope to say that again!

Thanks! That makes sense...because one of the bruises is a straight up line, must be from the edge of the arm straps on the rig. So, when I buy my own rig, how do I ensure I get one that will fit better. Is their certain companies that make containers that fit better for women? i should probably actually post this on the women's forum.

I only have 16 jumps now, but I notice every day after jumping my upper arms have a few bruises each on them. I'm not complaining, if I have to deal with it, it's still worth it.

Okay. I DO know to put my legs in the leg straps.thanks for the laugh though. I haven't done anything that silly. Yet. I still have to wonder though, was that video for real?! Do people really forget the leg straps?! Anyways....ummm maybe "gear check" was the wrong term. Maybe what I'm looking for is a video on "gear inspection." Like when the instructor says "go get your gear together." It's not my gear. So yeah, I like to make sure what I'm jumping is going to work out for me! So something that goes over top to bottom, front to back of rig. Pin checks. RSL. Check webbing. All that fun stuff. I know I need a helmet, goggles, altimeter and that a rig is highly recommended.... suggestions? Thanks! And I will make sure to go over this with instructor. I just like something to watch a few times over again to review.

Hahaha! Okay, I knew it was AAD. Really. But, I am actually ADD, so oops. Missed that mistake! My mind was...wait, what?!

I am allergic to both, but I live with it because I love my fur babies! Okay, I have an old dog and an old cat. Both are around 12 years. I've had my cat, since he was 6 weeks old. Before any of my 3 kids or husband. I make it pretty clear to my husband that my cat was around before him[:P as for my dog, we got him about a year and a half ago. His owner died of cancer, and he was going to go to a no kill shelter. But, being his age, and overweight, I knew he wouldn't find a home anytime soon, so we took him in. I love him, because he's old, pretty mellow, and not a puppy! I will never have a puppy again. In fact, If it's up to me, he will be our last dog. I can leave my cat for a couple days. Leave a ton of food and water, clean litter box and quick checks from neighbors. I love dogs, just not having them. And of course, the kids always promise to take care of the dog, but in reality that doesn't happen. So, I voted for cats :)

Can anyone recommend maybe a good YouTube video or something that goes over a good, thorough, gear check? I feel maybe a little behind on that. I completed AFF a few years ago, then right after had to take a few years off, for pregnancy and medical reasons husband and I. We covered this shortly, when I got back to jumping a couple months ago, but I feel like I can spend more time on it. By the time I had gear on, we had a few minutes until we we on the load. My instructor did check my ADD and handles and everything, so I know I was safe, but I still need to know how to do all the safety checks myself. Thanks!

No. I don't think a tandem master should have to disclose HIV. How often, really, is there a blood or body fluid exchange during a tandem jump? And of those, how many have a student survived? I think that's likes asking every licensed driver on the road to do an HIV/AIDS test and putting a gps system on their car so we can track them and stay very clear of their vehicle so we don't get in an accident and our blood is exposed. It just sounds far fetched. Isn't there more risky things to worry about in skydiving? This NEVER crossed my mind when I did my tandem jump 4 years ago. And there are many more contagious diseases than HIV anyways. Honestly, I would be more concerned with getting the flu. That kills also. So should we ask anyone we get in the plane with if they had flu symptoms in the last week or so? I'm not about to...I have enough to worry about. I like to live sometimes. :)Quote

My husband is a retired army ranger, who has many static line jumps,and we are new to skydiving, so he did your survey, strictly from a military POV, because there is a difference between are you A.) landing on a battlefield being shot at and B.) jumping for fun on a safe DZ, not being shot at. I'm thinking maybe you should consider narrowing your focus on your project/survey. If you are more focused on miltary jumps, sure there are lots of experienced military jumpers on here but also try looking up message boards on other sites for like Army Rangers, special forces groups, Army halo stuff like that. Some of them are kind of private sometimes though, for security. Hope this helps somewhat.

Z hills is my husband and I, our new home DZ :) we have seen several kids around and are planning to bring our kids this weekend. Along with their kindles and probably a couple board games. Hoping between that and watching people land that will keep them occupied

Yes,TK, we did talk. Thanks for your help answering my numerous questions! We can't wait to jump at skydive city!

I called the DZ today and sounds like my husband and I will do a refresher course and a jump with instructor. As long as that goes okay then we can go back to solo status. We completed all the levels of AFF in Washington. Just aren't licensed yet. But it will be nice being able to jump year round here. So for the next month I will be reading and visualizing everything. I informed my husband today what day we are going the first week of September and luckily he agreed :) I felt adrenaline just talking with the DZ today. Felt like I was in the door for the first time! Love it! I can't lie I will be nervous, but I never let fear get in my way! In the meantime, I will be just enjoying rollercoaster sat Busch gardens :)

Thanks everyone! I set a date with my husband to get a babysitter and get to the DZ! So anxious but in a good way! I hope to meet ya'll and have a good time! Now the countdown and babysitter interviews begin!Quote

I believe this is my first post. I was reading everyone's posts back in 2013/2014, then it just got too dang depressing for me! I have done 12 jumps as a student in 2013. Finish AFF courses at Kapowsin in Washington state October 2013. Got my altimeter. One of the highlights of my LIFE!! Then...an unexpected pregnancy. Which was so exciting/good news to me! But..... Being inexperienced and it being so darn cold up there...i couldn't comtinue. (Not saying it's Wrong to skydive when pregnant if experienced...but I just wasn't!!) Come August...baby born and nursing every couple hours...then fall/winter again!! Lol and with finances of having 3 kids and being busy with them, I just had to get my head out of the clouds. BUT! We just moved to Florida (Land o lakes!) a couple months ago! Come September, I'm getting a babysitter for my youngest and I NEED to get back in the sky! Desperately! Every clear day, it breaks my heart to look up at the sky because I want to be up there so so so bad. Anyways, so I looked it up and it looks like skydive city is the closest DZ to me. Anyone have any input on that place? Great place, or is there a better place you recommend in Tampa Bay Area? Also, I haven't spoke to anyone yet, but what is generally recommended/required for me to do, since it's been almost 3 years? I have great books on canopy and skydive skills, as well as the uspa guide, which I will be studying up on of course..and i will definitely jump with an instructor!!! But, generally, will I be required to retake the ground course and restart again? I still have my logbook. I realize I will (and should!) do some jumps with instructors again, but will I have to start ALL over? I just hope not, but I understand if it is the case. Thanks!!!