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Skydiving
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    I have no clue where to put this discussion, so I picked home life :-/ Move it if you please :D

    So after the jingos reviews skydiving has been on my mind like crazy. I've never been a huge thrill seeker or anything, just went on my first coaster this summer. I want, sorry, I NEED to fly. Birds are my favourite animal, wanna know why? Cuz they can fly! I love speed as well, I'm kind of a lead foot and have to keep it under reins, I really want to drive a race car lol

    So neither dan or I have ever been skydiving, and neither of us have had a tattoo. Instead of a wedding next year we'll be skydiving, hitting the justice of peace, and getting tattoos that say "I've fallen for him/her"

    I've done a bit of research and most people say it does NOT feel like falling. That because you don't have the ground as a reference point there is no gross feeling in your stomach. One person described it the same as the feeling when you out your arm out of a car and the winds pushes it but on your whole body. The freefall doesn't last more than a minute and even if it does feel like falling I can handle a minute.

    Has anyone been skydiving? Was there a falling sensation? Would you do it again? Did it feel like flying? Did you do tandem or solo? Were you able to land on your feet? Was it tricky to land?

    I'm so intrigued and I get a great sense of excitement and adrenaline just thinking about it! My hands and feet are sweating just imagining it, I know gross but w/e it's how my body deals with excitement/adrenaline/anticipation all at once.
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • LilbitLilbit
    Posts: 1,582Member
    I think that sounds so freaking cook. I've never been but more power to ya!
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    Thx @lilbit I'm dying to hear what it's like from someone who's done it!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • CalliopemarieCalliopemarie
    Posts: 4,467Member
    ugh I just had a bad dream about this last night!!!!!!! lol
    i am insane!!! mwahahahaha
  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,526Member
    Your plan sounds awesome!

    I couldn't do it, I have a panic attack in any falling situations, which sucks. I probably could have 15 years ago, but now, nope. My body's become a total wuss.

    Still want to hear about it though!
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @calliopemarie I'd never wanna wake up!

    @curious I'm dying for some first hand experiences. Googling just isn't the same!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,634Member
    My grandfather was a WWII paratrooper, and while he didn't describe the sensation of falling/not falling, he said the jerk you experience when your parachute deploys can be startling. That's the first time. After that, you worry there isn't going to be a jerk (that was my Granddad for you). However, given the way skydivers can spin and swoop and turn on their way down, I think the sensation would be more like flying than falling. But I don't have any personal experience with it, just going by videos I've seen.
    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @fatchickonabike no one would think of that! Everyone is so caught up in the jump and landing. Thx! I'll keep that in mind.
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    I have close to 300 jumps(mostly from the military), your first few jumps will be tandem, and if you want to do solo they do one on one training on the ground like spin carts, and a couple other gizmos. It does not feel like falling because all the air rushing past you, putting resistance on your body. Even the skinniest guys in our unit get squishy face, really the thing I hate most is the parachute snap. The snap being when the chute finally fully opens, to me it feels changing direction really quickly, because once you go from realy fast to the open shut you start gliding after the pull(tell Dan to watch his harness and his boys for the opening).
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • CalliopemarieCalliopemarie
    Posts: 4,467Member
    @eapple this one you might. I was skydivivng with someone and they somehow fell out of their suit and ended up falling all the way to the ground. it was messed up!
    i am insane!!! mwahahahaha
  • TranquilTranquil
    Posts: 498Member

    @eapple My husband went skiydiving and always explained the freefall as the best part.  Also what @fatchickonabike said too.  The video of him skydiving was unreal. 


    I've been hang gliding but never skydiving.  Hang gliding was serene and calming. 

  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,634Member
    @calliopemarie, that's horrifying!
    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @foulmouthedsailor Thats awesome! do you enjoy it or is it mostly just part of the job? I'm really glad to hear it doesn't feel like falling, all my research points to more of a flying feeling. And I wanna fly! Haha I'll tell dan to make sure his little buddy is safe and sound lol
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @tranquil we will def be getting video! I'd also love to try parasailing.
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • TranquilTranquil
    Posts: 498Member
    @eapple When I was hang gliding I saw my own shadow in the trees and thought that was super cool lol. 
  • onetimeonetime
    Posts: 2,117Member
    @eapple, you're coolness just hit an epic peak in my mind! That's awesome!
    Suck it up buttercup!
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    It's one of those things that's grown on me, because I'm afraid of falling off the couch or bed. And depending on the type of jump, and if your instructor does certain maneuvers you can actually go a good distance. When you first exit the plain, you are going to carry that forward momentum for about 10 seconds before gravity kicks in, and to me that's the part that feels like flying, unless you angle down and out.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,634Member

    At least you can take comfort in the fact that you won't be skydiving into flak that blows the head off the guy at the front of the line, whose headless body then falls back into the plane. Granddad again, sorry.


    Nor will you have to do a night jump behind enemy lines, get snagged in a tree on the way down, and have to spend the night stuck there because it's so dark you can't see how far off the ground you are and you can't risk a light because you're behind enemy lines and have to wait for sunrise only to discover you were about a foot off the ground the entire time. True story.

    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @tranquil that is cool! What a great photo that would have been!

    @onetime what can I say B-)

    @foulmouthedsailor I think I'd enjoy that perk of the job... But not so much the others!

    @fatchickonabike oh my! Yes I'm looking forward to a safe landing!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    Well jumping from 30k feet in the middle of the night with 100 pounds if equipment, into a hostile area to find and evacuate wounded personnel is a lot different than recreational sky diving. But it's fun and even my wife has done it a few times, and she's afraid if roll at coasters
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    Well @foulmouthedsailor when u put it like that it doesn't sound so perky! More like scary, kudos to you for being so brave!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • AnonUser37
    Posts: 1,765Member
    Its amazing. My home town is known for housing the first recreational parachuting team in the country (though other places say they where it)
    it doesnt feel like falling, it feels like flying. It was the most exhilarating thing i have ever done and I've progressed to doing a few jumps alone, with instructors. I wish i had more money because I'd do it all the time. .seriously.
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @meghann that makes me so excited, that it becomes a passion. I think I may be in the same boat you're in and love love love it!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • AnonUser37
    Posts: 1,765Member
    My ex is a skydiver....and oh man....the first jump we did together. You and your hubby are gonns wanna find a room soon after ;)

    Seriously though, its like a coming of age thing in this town and ive never known anyone who regretted it.
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @meghann I don't know how well that will go after the tattoos... but we're getting married so I guess the deed is necessary. They're going to be on our back so I shot top!
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • KiinuKiinu
    Posts: 1,160Member
    The tattoo's will be okay until the next morning. I got two of mine (at different times) on my shoulders and one on my back, Usually later at night, and went to bed shortly after. Slept on my shoulder like normal.

    My Ex loved skydiving, he had done it a few times and had videos. He seemed to really enjoy it, and in all other fear aspects he was a big pansy. Roller coasters, horror movies, driving fast, BUGS... terrified.
  • Rachely
    Posts: 53Member
    i want to skydive so badly!
  • goldie
    Posts: 108Member
    Just my two cents, but I would not get those particular tattoos.  I am a heavily tattooed woman (no names, no words), and have seen so many people have to get them lasered off or covered up after things didn't work out years down the road.  I'm not trying to be a bitch, but just passing along my personal experience of being in my tattoo shop for many, many hours.
  • eapple
    Posts: 1,401Member
    @kiinu good to know about the tattoo. I'm pretty pumped about skydiving and can see it becoming addicting! Im def getting the video.

    @rachely do it!

    @Goldie I don't think you're a bitch! I appreciate the concern for my body and wallet. We have a year before it happens anyway and I'll keep your advice in mind.
    And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Nietzsche
  • FB4SM
    Posts: 24Member
    I have done skydiving and parasail & used to be a flight attendant. Does that make me an air head? LOL Its an awesome experience. I only went skydiving once & was ready for another jump as soon as we hit ground. The frefall is awesome, I felt like a bird soaring. Would loveee to do it again.
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