fugitivehunter

True virgin here, I only have 2 jumps to my credit and eagerly awaiting 3. I know that each time I jump brings me one step closer to losing my virginity. The thought has crossed my mind that once I am cleared to jump my own gear, just chopping to go ahead and get it out of the way. That's one less thing to think about when you do have that "oh shit" moment and a real mal.

Thanks for all the advice. I took some of my photos of the chest strap in my throat and talked it out with the instructor. He had me really cranked down on the leg straps and get them tight, and we adjusted the side straps and shortened them a bit. Did my AFF 2 yesterday, jumped at 15,000, great free fall, nailed all my turns and my forward glide, waved off at 5,500 and pulled, really concentrated on my arch after the pull, nice 2-3 second snivel an bam! Opened kinda hard , hurt like hell on my legs but the chest strap stayed in place and had a nice flight in an landing with 10 meters of the target (with radio assistance of course). Turns out it was my leg straps. BTW, I am a little sore on my inner thighs, but no major bruising like last time! I was also amazed at how much things slowed down for me, my field of vision was much wider and I wasn't in so much of a sensory overload that I didn't enjoy it. It was almost like slow motion....it was awesome!!! Can't wait to go back!

Welcome Jen, I too jump at Gold Coast, hope to see you there.

Hi Nate, you jump at GoldCoast, those guys have a ton of knowledge. Mike and Leanne also seel new and used gear and I am sure would be happy to let you try a couple of different options.

Thanks for the info, they didn't really give me an option...they put the rig on me anyway since it was my first time out! I will be certain to get them tight enough next time, I couldn't even enjoy the ride down as much as I hoped because I was in such pain from the straps tearing me apart.

I have a question and it may seem trivial to sum. I jump with a very knowledgeable group of instructors. I completed my first AFF jump a couple weeks ago. Before going up in the plane and on the way to altitude I just felt as if the shoulder straps weren't tight enough or were sagging a bit. I brought it to the instructors attention, he checked the gear and said I was good to go. Upon opening, of course on a 288 square feet student canopy (because I weigh in near 250), it snatched the piss out of me. Needless to say i had bruises on my inner thighs and arm pits, but that was expected. What bothers me is that the chest strap was pulled upward striking me in the throat, leaving me with carpet burns (for lack of a better term) on my neck and leaving me with a sore throat for over a week. Then of course, it was in my face while trying to pilot the canopy until I was able readjusted myself and pulled the strap back down to my chest. Was this due to the gear not fitting properly, were the straps just not tight enough or what? I know you can't give me the exact reason, just looking for some possible solutions.

I have only made one jump and already have my second one scheduled. Don't worry too much about your nerves, it's just like Heather said, once the door opened on the plane I got a real sense of relief. I actually did feel safer during freefall than in the plane because I was in control. Besides, not sure about tandem, but during AFF you have so much you are trying to remember, you don't have time to be scared. Just do it and enjoy it! It's the most fun you will ever have with your clothes on!

Thanks for the comment, and that is exactly how I felt driving home from the DZ. My girlfriend went with me and approached me just as I was walking off the DZ and asked, "How was it?" I just looked at her like she was stupid. There were no words that came to mind to even begin to explain what I had just experienced. Later on, after coming down a bit, I thought to myself that I barely remember the free fall. I assumed that it was just that, sensory overload.

They are a great bunch to hang out with. Maybe I will see you there. Had a chance to jumpr with Bryan Beuchler on my first jump, he actually did my camera work. I look forward to meeting you.

Hello everyone, I completed AFF 1 at Gold Coast Skydivers (Lumberton, MS) on July 12, 2008. What a head rush! I can honestly say that I am obssessed now. I had a great jump, according to my instructors, good arch on exit, good stable flight with a few minor wobbles, and instructor pulled my pc due to falling through some really dark clouds with a lot of condensation at around 5,500. Other than that it was great! However, I reflect back and look at my video and see that it wasn't as smooth as I would like. My legs were too straight and my arms were to outstretched (like a bird), it seemed to ease the feeling of going head down. Something about the jump left me craving more and yet contemplative. Partially because the training, the free fall and the day seems like such a blur. Does it ever slow down or will it? It's like a friend told me, she said that everytime she gets in the plane for the ride up she asks herself if she has lost her freaking mind...yet, she jumps and can't wait to get back up there and do it again. Are we insane or do we just have split personalities...lol? Either way, I WILL be jumping again!