Skydiving

[aychamo_aycono]

Originally Posted by Salshun

If I got really into it, don't think I could ever pack my own shoot.

You would man It's simple. It's a really basic pattern you follow and it's actually really difficult to make errors. Modern canopies are so advanced that you can literally almost just cram your canopy into the bag and it will open fine.

With that said, on my 73rd skydive I had a malfunction! I was a great packer too, I packed all the student canopies at my dropzone, etc. But something happened on mine, and my steering lines went over the top of my canopy and it made the canopy be compressed (it essentially looked like a bowtie) and it was spinning very fast.

So I had to cut away and use the reserve. You train and train for that, and while you are in the plane you should be constantly practicing the procedure to cut away and pull the reserve, so that if by chance you need to do it, it's second nature. So when I went to cutaway, I couldn't get the cutaway handle out! It was very difficult and I struggled with it for a bit, and finally got it, then I flew backwards, pulled my reserve, and magically it opened!

Scared the shit out of me

[Salshun]

I've heard skydivers are a VERY tight knit group, like this bond is immediately formed when you jump with someone, like a group of army buddies that has the 1 civilian in the group that never quite fits in. I mean I really want to do it, I'm going to look into it, check prices and what not. Anyone have a ballpark price for "first time tandem jump"?

Also, what's required for certification? I may find the free fall is my favorite part, so without trying to sound TOO much like a dork, any schools offer halo jumps?

Also, like I said, while I'm totally up for some skydiving, I would NEVER bungee jump, at least not at some place that offered it as a service. When you got skydiving, your instructor is going to be some guy with 1000 jumps that could show Seals a thing or 2. My buddy wanted to bungee here in Vegas, he did it and liked it, but I would think the guys working there and tying you off aren't exactly bungee pros. Now I know their are BAD ASS professional bungee jumpers, but they're the guys racing a car up to a bridge at 60mph, getting out, tying off, and jumping before the cops show up.

I wouldn't want some kid, making $12/hour, with 30 min of training, to be tying off my cord. Hell no. With skydiving, you have options in the event of an oh fuck moment. Reserve shoot, etc, and also with skydiving, I think the possibility of problems are minimal. The bitch opened or it didn't. With bungee, their are about 9 places & ways for things to go bad, quick. Also, with skydiving, 360 degree beautiful view, see everything for 100 miles. Bungee you get to watch the parking lot rush at you. I'm sorry, I see a point with skydiving, a deeper meaning/truth to it all, tying a fucking bungee cord around your ankles and bailing from a crane seems kind of stupid. It seems like a way to "experience what it's like to fall to your death" without the splat at the end. The money is about the same, you learn more skydiving it lasts longer, and I would imagine saying you jumped from a perfectly good airplane is cooler than "rubber band strapped to feet!".

I dunno, sorry for the rant, and maybe it's different other places, but when it comes to my life, only the pro's get trusted with it. Anyone been to a place that seemed truly legit and on the ball? BTW, isn't bungee jumping almost as expensive as skydiving?

[Burkex]

Skydiving OWNS.

Once I saw Point Break (See my sig) I always wanted to try skydiving and when I finally did I loved it. I would seriously do it every week if it wasn't so costly. You have to start out doing a few tandem jumps then eventually you get to experience it yourself that is when it starts to get good (Scuba diving is the same pretty much and also an awesome experience).




Surfing, Scuba diving, and Skydiving are all amazing. I highly recommend them all.

I got my own board, and have been thinking of getting my own Scuba and Skydiving equip once I move back to Cali.

[theawddone]

ugh this thread pisses me off so much. I got a pneumothorax a few months after i went for the first time and the doctor's said i can never go in a high-elevation unpressurized cabin which i am pretty sure qualifies as the plane for skydiving=\

[Kuriin]

I've always been interested in doing this, but I am terrified of heights (almost to the point of passing out). I love rollercoasters, but I can't stand the beginning when you're slowly creeping up to the top; I have to keep my eyes closed during that portion.

How much do you guys pay to jump?

[Ironhawk]

I went the military route. When they say indescribable I have to agree. It's amazing how quiet it is after your chute opens too, very peaceful. Big difference between landing civilian/military though.

[Soygen]

I've gone on three jumps. Two tandem and one solo. I would love to do it more often, but can't really afford to. I wish I had a friend at the flight schools or who had a plane. It's really an awesome experience that I recommend to anyone who asks. Though the first time I did it, my ears were fucked up for like two weeks from the pressure changes.

[Goltana_R-Zek]

To the people asking about prices.. in general it gets less expensive the more you do it - Tandem being the start and most expensive. I don't have too much experience (haven't done a lot of jumps yet), but everytime I jump it gets less expensive. First time was like 220 $ i think, if you want to get yourself filmed its another.. 50$? or so. Something like that.. 2nd jump was around 190$, then like 165$ -> all the way down to 60$ eventually when you're jumpin solo. If you get really into it they recommend getting your own gear, I know its beyond 1k, a couple thousand I think.

[GrobbeeTrull2.0]

Originally Posted by Regime

an license.

Woe are the learners in China! Glad you had fun.