Any Other Skydivers Out There?

[Peregrinus]

I finally managed to scrape together enough money to get my license and just made my second jump - an IAD - this weekend (WHEEEEE&#33. If the weather cooperates, I'll do my first AFF jump in a couple of weeks and start making real progress toward my class A until the season closes down. I was helplessly hooked the moment I did my first jump a few years back. It's such a beautifully surreal reality up there - like the best flying dream you'll ever have. Considering the similarities I find between skydiving and lucid dreaming, I was wondering if any other LDers are into this sport?

[Burns]

Wow, I didn't know you're a skydiver! What a cool chick you are! I've never done, nor even thought about doing it, but I'd love to experience the flying sensation since I fly in a lot of my dreams. Maybe one of these days you can have a little helmet cam and post some pics or something for us! Good luck with getting your license and everything - when does the skydiving season end?

[NeAvO]

Sky diving is some thing I've always wanted to do but would probably chicken out on the last second.

[Oneironaut Zero]

I can't wait to skydive. My best friend's done it (twice I think) and I plan on doing it whenever I have the spare cash. As much as I want to go now, I don't think there is any way in hell I'd chicken out. (If I do, somebody push me. Haha.)

[Neruo]

I am not a skydiver. But I think it is WAY cool I want to skydive at least once in my life.

[Gez]

Id LOVE to try it but its kindoff scares me, what if something went wrong like the chute did not deploy or got tangled you wouldnt be able to do anything gives me the tingles.

[Peregrinus]

Thanks for the compliment, Burns Once I get my license or am jumping when someone else is getting video or stills taken, I’ll try to get some good pics. I’d have tried to get some Sunday, but everyone was jumping and not particularly interested in playing photographer. The season closes up when it gets too cold to jump, basically -- if it’s 40F on the ground, it’s going to be really cold at 12,000ft. And you guys who are interested should absolutely do it! You can do a tandem jump first where you’re strapped to an instructor who maintains body position during freefall, pulls and pilots the ‘chute. You’re basically along for the ride during a tandem – no pressure, no worries, no fear of messing up – just the strange combination of wonder, thrill, and absolute calm that comes from throwing yourself into air miles above the earth and having nothing to do but enjoy the view on the way down. And if you like the experience of a tandem, you can start on an AFF or IAD course to get your license. The tandem jump even counts as one of the 25 you need to get your class A. To be honest, skydiving isn’t much about a thrill for me. I get a quick shot of adrenaline when the door opens and I’m hanging by a wing strut with my feet flying out behind me, but the whole experience is so gloriously surreal that there’s really no fear, no worries, no thoughts after I let go. It’s an endless moment of awe. I really can’t describe it better than that. And regarding the risks: you’re safer skydiving than driving a car as long as you follow standard practices. When you jump, you have your main canopy, your reserve (which has to be packed by a certified reserve packer), and all students are required to wear an automatic activation device (AAD) which will automatically deploy your reserve if you fall below 750 -1000 ft and are still in freefall. That’s not to say there are no risks – obviously if you’re jumping out of a perfectly functional aircraft 2 – 3 miles in the air, you’re taking some risks – but it’s not the death-wish that a lot of people seem to believe. If you’re at all interested, call your local dropzone and talk with an instructor. It’s an absolutely amazing experience. But, be forewarned, if you do it once, you might be hooked for the rest of your life.

[Casualtie]

haha skydiving sounds and looks fun as hell. i'd love to try it at least once before i die. of couse, i say that from the saftey of the ground, but hopefully before i die i'll work the the courage to try it out. maybe when i'm like 80 and i got nothing to lose.