I have had all sorts of questions coming at me since I went skydiving. It makes me laugh, because I really didn't realize it was a big deal. It's been on my Bucket List since I was super young (seriously, like 7 or 8). I would have done it sooner, but had no desire to go alone. What is the point of jumping out of a plane if you don't have fun people with you? When a group from my ward said they were going, I jumped on board!
A boy in my ward lost 50 pounds so that he could go skydiving. It was his motivation to lose the weight, so this trip has been in the works for months. We did have to travel a bit farther to find a place that would let him skydive, but it all worked out.
When you get to the skydiving place they make you watch a movie that tells you that before you skydive you have to sign a release form that really signs your life away. They stress the point that they will not be held liable for injuries. You can not sue, and if you choose to sue have to pay all of their legal fees. They really stress this part. Honestly, this was the most nerve wracking part of the whole process!
After that we were assured that only 1 in 100,000 jumpers die. They also told us that they have never had a death, and we wouldn't be their first. Whew!
After that they put you in a lovely jumpsuit, and put on all the gear. As luck would have it, their normal plane was broken the day we went, so we had to use two much smaller planes. They were seriously tiny. There was one seat for the pilot, and that was it. The rest of us squeezed in REALLY tight.
*The second most nerve wracking part of the day was the airplane stalling on the runway. They had to hold the door open as we drove down the runway to get it going. I did have a moment of "Am I really going up in this thing?"
The flight up was interesting. It took about 15 minutes. The pilot and my jump instructor had fun making my laugh or squeal. I felt way calmer than I expected to. Then, suddenly, it was time! My instructor strapped our harnesses together (I had him make extra sure it was REALLY tight), which was difficult considering the extremely small airplane. We made it to 13,500 feet, and then he opened the door.
LOTS of people have asked me if this was a moment of panic. Honestly, it was not. I don't think my brain believed what my eyes were seeing. My instructor stepped out onto the step and told me to put my foot on it, too. I think I looked at him like he was nuts, but I did it anyway. Next think I knew we were falling. No jumping, no being pushed. We simply fell out of the airplane.
It was SUCH a cool feeling! Cheeks flapping in the wind, screaming so loud, and yet even you can't hear it! A very unique and exciting sensation. I am guessing that it is like flying. Reaching terminal velocity has always intrigued me, and I have to say, it really is fun!
The freefall is 60 seconds, but felt SO MUCH SHORTER! I couldn't believe it when he pulled the parachute. I was kind of disappointed, really. However, I was relieved the chute opened (At least I'm sure I was. I can't remember to be completely honest). To go from the noise of the freefall to the peace of floating downward with the parachute is quite fun. It was gorgeous! The view was fun, we got to do some fun things with the parachute, and we glided gently into the field.
The landing was great! No problems, all safe. I jumped up full of giggles and grins. My friends on the ground said they could hear me screaming and asked if I was okay. You have to realize, I am a screamer. What is the point of doing these things if you can't get in a good scream?
*Fun note: When we opened the door I looked out and saw a bunch of white flecks flying past the door, horizontally. It looked REALLY cool. My instructor was really excited about it, I guess he doesn't jump through it that often. After we landed I asked if it was snow, but was told it was sleet. It was cold to jump through, but led to some interesting findings. It wasn't raining when we took off. In fact, it wasn't even raining when we jumped. The sleet turned to rain as it fell, but we beat it to the ground. It started raining shortly after we landed.
So to sum it up - Skydiving wasn't really scary! Go figure! Truly, I find some roller coasters scarier than skydiving. I can't figure out why, but no one in our group felt that it was as terrifying as you would expect!
I think everyone should go at least once in their life. It is totally worth it. And since dying in a car accident is FAR more likely than dying while skydiving, I would totally recommend it. (Though I am pretty sure I would never go without an expert securely attached to my back).
I really hope this wasn't a once in a lifetime experience - because I am ready to go again!
When you get to the skydiving place they make you watch a movie that tells you that before you skydive you have to sign a release form that really signs your life away. They stress the point that they will not be held liable for injuries. You can not sue, and if you choose to sue have to pay all of their legal fees. They really stress this part. Honestly, this was the most nerve wracking part of the whole process!
After that we were assured that only 1 in 100,000 jumpers die. They also told us that they have never had a death, and we wouldn't be their first. Whew!
After that they put you in a lovely jumpsuit, and put on all the gear. As luck would have it, their normal plane was broken the day we went, so we had to use two much smaller planes. They were seriously tiny. There was one seat for the pilot, and that was it. The rest of us squeezed in REALLY tight.
*The second most nerve wracking part of the day was the airplane stalling on the runway. They had to hold the door open as we drove down the runway to get it going. I did have a moment of "Am I really going up in this thing?"
The flight up was interesting. It took about 15 minutes. The pilot and my jump instructor had fun making my laugh or squeal. I felt way calmer than I expected to. Then, suddenly, it was time! My instructor strapped our harnesses together (I had him make extra sure it was REALLY tight), which was difficult considering the extremely small airplane. We made it to 13,500 feet, and then he opened the door.
LOTS of people have asked me if this was a moment of panic. Honestly, it was not. I don't think my brain believed what my eyes were seeing. My instructor stepped out onto the step and told me to put my foot on it, too. I think I looked at him like he was nuts, but I did it anyway. Next think I knew we were falling. No jumping, no being pushed. We simply fell out of the airplane.
It was SUCH a cool feeling! Cheeks flapping in the wind, screaming so loud, and yet even you can't hear it! A very unique and exciting sensation. I am guessing that it is like flying. Reaching terminal velocity has always intrigued me, and I have to say, it really is fun!
The freefall is 60 seconds, but felt SO MUCH SHORTER! I couldn't believe it when he pulled the parachute. I was kind of disappointed, really. However, I was relieved the chute opened (At least I'm sure I was. I can't remember to be completely honest). To go from the noise of the freefall to the peace of floating downward with the parachute is quite fun. It was gorgeous! The view was fun, we got to do some fun things with the parachute, and we glided gently into the field.
The landing was great! No problems, all safe. I jumped up full of giggles and grins. My friends on the ground said they could hear me screaming and asked if I was okay. You have to realize, I am a screamer. What is the point of doing these things if you can't get in a good scream?
*Fun note: When we opened the door I looked out and saw a bunch of white flecks flying past the door, horizontally. It looked REALLY cool. My instructor was really excited about it, I guess he doesn't jump through it that often. After we landed I asked if it was snow, but was told it was sleet. It was cold to jump through, but led to some interesting findings. It wasn't raining when we took off. In fact, it wasn't even raining when we jumped. The sleet turned to rain as it fell, but we beat it to the ground. It started raining shortly after we landed.
So to sum it up - Skydiving wasn't really scary! Go figure! Truly, I find some roller coasters scarier than skydiving. I can't figure out why, but no one in our group felt that it was as terrifying as you would expect!
I think everyone should go at least once in their life. It is totally worth it. And since dying in a car accident is FAR more likely than dying while skydiving, I would totally recommend it. (Though I am pretty sure I would never go without an expert securely attached to my back).
I really hope this wasn't a once in a lifetime experience - because I am ready to go again!
4 comments:
All I have to say is... WOW! And you are a whole lot braver than I am. Glad the experience was all that you had hoped for, even if it wasn't as terrifying as you expected. :)
It still sounds crazy scarey to me. :) I'm glad you got to enjoy it and that your shute opened. What a fun experience!
I still can't believe you did this!! I am still impressed. :)
Oh my - my palms are sweating from just READING your post. You might not think it was too scary - but I think you are a BRAVE woman! Wow!
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