Skydiving - can't make myself jump

[cantdrv55]

Every once in a while my six brothers-in-law and I get together and do guy stuff. We've done paintball, strip clubs, golf, fishing, etc. Now, they're thinking they want to try skydiving.

I'm probably not the weeniest of the bunch but I bet I'll be the only one to decline. I will not be able to make myself jump out of an airplane. No amount of positive self-talk will accomplish this. I will not jump.

I think one would need to have either balls of steel, have nothing worthwhile to lose or be dumb as rocks to try this sport. Nothing against you guys with the balls but I think my bros-in-law are in the last category.

Could you or have you ever jumped out of a perfectly good airplane?

[Rot 911]

82nd Airborne

[Jims5543]

Its not the heights that bother me so much its more the widths - Steven Wright


I agree 100% with you. I will NEVER jump out of a perfectly fine plane. Now, add some fire, screaming and panic and I'll jump right out.

[motion]

Its no big deal. No sensation of falling whatsoever. It just gets very windy and you have a hard time breathing. Oh, and the puke tends to hit your face at 120mph

[gchappel]

Been there, done that.
One of my room mates in med school jumped every weekend. He talked me into trying it. One jump in a T7 chute. Scary, but fun. Actually bungie jumping was much scareir. This was the same group I often went rock climbing with. I found out later that we were using old ropes purchased for a few bucks from other climbers. Oh to be dumb and young again. Don't ask me about the times we would go rabbit hunting on offroad motorcyles using semi and automatic pistols. Five drunk guys chasing a rabbit around a field, each shooting, is not the wisest thing I have ever done. Go for it, you only live once and this is something you will remember.
Gary

[gchappel]

double post- sorry

[Tim Hancock]

I have done all kinds of "crazy" sports, but skydiving is not something I look forward to. When I get my aerobatic plane finished I will make myself do it at least once so that if someday I needed to jump for my life I will not freeze. I like to think that all of the sports I have done that involve being near the edge, are ones that I am in control of. The thought of a chute not opening due to an improper pack job or whatever, gives me the willies.

IMO parachutes are a last chance life saving tool in case the perfectly good airplane at some point becomes not so perfect.

If I want the thrill of free fall it seems easier to go jump off a high dive or something!

[Joeaksa]

Have been jumping since the '70's. Nothing like it and once you get used to it I find myself running to the door to jump out.

You young pups have no idea what its like jumping a round chute. They are really not used these days but the old T10 and T28 just got you to the ground like a sack of potato's. The current square models are like a plane and a lot of fun. If you are afraid of the landing, guess going into a stadium at night is not your cup of tea! It can be a bit sporty but is a lot of fun once you know what you are doing....

Photo below is at Krakow Poland in 1988. Before the fall of communism a group of us in Europe were invited to do some demo jumps behind the Iron Curtain. Was a blast doing this and jumping out of old Russian military aircraft.


Joe A

[singpilot]

Only once. Thru a canopy. Have a scar to this day from that one.

Two hard and fast rules for the McDonnell-Douglas F-4D. Uncontained Engine Fire or loss of Utility Hydraulic system, immediately Declare and Eject.

Since this falls outside of the 'perfectly good airplane scenario', I can say I did it. That was with 25 year old balls.

Doubt I'd ever do it again.

I have a list of things I want to do before I die. This is not on it.

[einreb]

College roomate and I did a static line jump. He does as he's supposed to and is hanging by the spar (right word?) that supports the wing. Guy gives him the signal to let go, but he wont do it! Climbing back into the airplane was not an option so the pilot shook him off...

Once out of the airplane, he neglected to listen on the one way radio to any of the directional instructions or clear his chute (right term?) until the last minute. They thought he was unconsious and were a bit pissed at him when he got to the ground and they realized he had just freaked out.

Jumping out for me was a complete sensory overload. Cool experience, but at the time, not a hobby I could afford. Done it once, thats good enough.

If you dont like it, you're in good company. My best friend from when I was knee high to a grasshopper is now a Green Beret. He hates it. Its sort of funny cause he's a tough s.o.b. (also a really nice guy) but he is really not fond of the jumping thing. Apparently the night time weird alltitude jumps where you pull the chute late or something is a bit freaky.

[singpilot]

It's called a HALO. High Altitude Low Open.

In one of my former careers, had several SEALS leave an ex-Navy hospital VC9 at high altitude via the rear airstair door. All I cared about was being able to get the door closed again so we could repressurize and warm up. We pilots were pressure breathing, and the jumpmaster had a full suit on. We were freezing our a$$es off with the heat cranked full smoking duct high.

I cannot imagine the guts it took to do that at night at flight levels, and wait until very low to pop the chute.

[Z-man]

Skydiving is DEFINATELY on my list of things to do before I die.

But if I get together with friends to do it, I have one stipulation: I MUST be the first one to jump in the group! Otherwise, it just doesn't count.

In the summer of 2004, I checked two other things off my list of things to do: I rode in a helicopter and in a submarine - within days of each other during my 10-year anniversary trip to Hawaii.

Also flew a Cessna airplane once.

Don't know if I'd want to try the bungie jump thing - but if I did, I'd like to do the sandbag thing - that's where someone attached to a bungie bear hugs you - you jump together, and at the bottom (usually a stream), he lets go of you - you land safely, and he gets propelled over the jumping point. Scary fun!

My motto from back in my snowboarding days was: Taste death - live life!

-Z-man

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
I think one would need to have either balls of steel, have nothing worthwhile to lose or be dumb as rocks to try this sport. Nothing against you guys with the balls but I think my bros-in-law are in the last category.

I'd freak out a bit base-jumping, but out of a plane?...Piece-o-cake...Actually quite boring once the chute opens...All about the free-fall.

Bungee-jumping (which I have done in Gorman, illegally) I would consider much more scary (although I have never skydived), since you have a better visual idea where you will go "splat."

[KevinP73]

My daughter did a tandem jump at Perris for her 25th bday. If you want to see a big ole smile and hear a 20minute dissertation on a 2minute event just ask her how she liked it.

[Mulhollanddose]

Skydiving - can't make myself jump

If you are willing to pay I can throw you out...You will thank me later.

I swear I was high for 4 hours after (bungee) on adrenaline...All I could say was "damn" for the first 2.

[motion]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
I'd freak out a bit base-jumping, but out of a plane?...Piece-o-cake...Actually quite boring once the chute opens...All about the free-fall. (although I have never skydived)

So, you've never skydived, but you still consider it to be "boring" and "a piece-o-cake"?

Um, yeahhhhhh

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by singpilot
It's called a HALO. High Altitude Low Open.

In one of my former careers, had several SEALS leave an ex-Navy hospital VC9 at high altitude via the rear airstair door. All I cared about was being able to get the door closed again so we could repressurize and warm up. We pilots were pressure breathing, and the jumpmaster had a full suit on. We were freezing our a$$es off with the heat cranked full smoking duct high.

I cannot imagine the guts it took to do that at night at flight levels, and wait until very low to pop the chute.

Not to forget the guys jumping out. Highest HALO I have done is in the mid-20's and its colder than hell at that altitude. You just keep telling yourself that its warmer lower and tuck into a tighter dive until the bingo altitude comes up and you pull.

Landing is interesting as well because you have no light. We would release a dayglo light stick on a 100 foot piece of shroud line and when it hit the ground you would start pulling up on the brakes. Its a crap shoot but usually works.

Have to laugh at Kevin's comment. Its always fun to be with someone after their first jump. Adrenaline is just pumping and they cannot stop talking or smiling. Very nice rush and why we do it I guess...

Joe A

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by motion
So, you've never skydived, but you still consider it to be "boring" and "a piece-o-cake"?

Um, yeahhhhhh

Dude, I was trying to encourage the guy...so much for that.

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
[B
Could you or have you ever jumped out of a perfectly good airplane? [/B]

I did 3 static line jumps, as was described by einreb. Did 2 the first day I ever went--it was alot of fun--hardest part is stepping off the little step and letting your legs dangle while hanging from the spar--it is just hard to convince your brain to do that.

The last time was a few years back for a bachelor party--once again was fun, but the facilities left alot to be desired. Comparing it to the first place we jumped, I had an iffy feeling--especially when teaching how to land properly, they had us jump off 2 cinder blocks onto a blanket

Fears were unfounded that day, but about a year later, the lone plane they had(which we jumped from) crashed, killing the pilot, skydive outfit owner, and 1 other.

That being said--just go and do it--you will be smiling the whole time.

[livi]

No way, too scared.

And even if I had the guts, I donīt need the rush - I suppose I have neuro signal substances in a fair amount..