Would you ever consider doing a parachute jump?

1. 92

   cam8510posted 11 years ago

   If the cost was not an issue, and the arrangements were made, would you, could you jump from an airplane, with parachute of course.  Next summer I plan on doing just that.  It might be skydiving, which of course would be in tandem with an experienced skydiver.  The cost is around $185.  It also could be a solo static line jump, when a line attached to the airplane deploys the parachute.  The cost is around $175.   It will either be parachuting or skydiving....or scuba diving.  How about it?  Are you game?

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      CrisSpposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely! I am, in fact thinking of doing this when I get to the big "50"...or maybe soon...why wait?

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         cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Go now!!!

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   I could indeed be enticed into trying this.

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My son went skydiving a couple of years ago.  I watched the video that was taken by the man he jumped with.  It is hard to imagine just letting yourself fall toward the earth like that.  But yes, I too could do it, and will.

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   wildernessposted 11 years ago

   My son was in the 82nd airborne and has jumped dozens and dozens of times on a static line.  He badly wants to skydive one day.
   
   As for me, well, it's hard to conceive of a reason to jump out a perfectly good airplane.  I'd love to - no reason necessary.

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, no reason necessary.  The sky is there.  The airplane is waiting.  Oh yes, and next stop, wingsuit flying.

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         wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes...well...the ground is there too.  Just waiting, while you rush to meet it.
         
         It really does need to go on my bucket list, if I ever bother to make one.

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            cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I'm finally getting around to filling that bucket.  I retired from my job and will be traveling all over the country doing the same thing for short periods at different locations.  Now I just need to find a good fifth wheel RV and I'll be all set.

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4. 69

   Pearldiverposted 11 years ago

   I've jumped 3 times
   - both with a static line and tandem (which is so easy, until you open your mouth   )
   
   - the static line is boring because you loose the 'free-fall' feeling gained from sky diving...
   
   Absolutely Awesome... don't even fear it!
   
   Just like a Big Bungee!    - except you get to take in a much wider view

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll probably opt for boring the first time, because I would like to follow through with certification.  I can't even imagine the adrenaline rush of skydiving though.

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         Pearldiverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I found.... You tend to notice the rush of air more than any other rush mate...
         
         Until you're on the ground and then find that your so hypo that you can't keep still and can't stop saying, "Wow!  Wow!"  After about 3 days, the adrenaline wears of a you collapse!

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            cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            haha, sounds like the right kind of high for me.

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5. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   
   Back to the drawing board...

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      haha, that is great.  I read another hub the other day and the hubber was writing about how to survive falling from an airplane without a parachute.  It was very funny.

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6. 75

   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 11 years ago

   Not me. Been there, done that. 173d Airborne Brigade.
   
   My 18-year daughter asked me in August, "What would you think if I went skydiving?" That's the way she approaches discussions if she thinks I might have objections.So after I grimace, we discussed the matter. I persuaded her there were better ways she could spend $200. Like on the new laptop she wanted for college.
   
   Of course I had to offer some alternatives. She had been bugging me to teach her how to drive a stick shift, specifically my Jeep Wrangler. We had tried unsuccessfully when she was 16. So I did, and she took it in the woods with a couple of her friends. Other than a few scratches, on the Jeep not her, I had to rub out, no harm done, financially or otherwise.

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, a practical man.  Spend the $200 on something really needed and learn a practical skill.  I can't find anything at all to argue with you about that.  Good job, Dad.  haha

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7. 53

   ocbillposted 11 years ago

   Not me. if forced to in a life or death situation OK yes. But I can't even do those really high roller coasters or stand on the roof near the edge of an office building 10 stories or more.

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      cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have the same fear of heights as you when it comes to being up on any natural or man made structure.  When it comes to skydiving, I don't feel that fear.  I guess we will see when I get up to the open door of the airplane next summer.

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   Nurseyposted 11 years ago

   Hubby talked me into doing it a few years back and I hurt my head and was in a coma for nearly 6 months. It's also very scary.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do not believe you.

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         Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I know. It's just too terrible, isn't it? I'm very lucky to be alive after all that.

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You hurt people.

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               Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I beg your pardon?

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                  paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Let me review thread.

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9. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   No!

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      Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sorry, but I'm not too good at puzzles.

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         cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I think paradigmsearch is having trouble believing your story about a coma.  Would you mind elaborating a bit?  It sounds tragic, but interesting.

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            Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I can't remember it, but I'm told I landed in a tree then fell to the ground.

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               cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I'm so sorry that happened.  But I can't help thinking of George of the Jungle right now....."Watch out for that.......treeeeeeeee!"   I hope there were no long term, negative effects.

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                  Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I lost some coordination and couldn't tell left from right and that sort of thing so I had to stop dancing. That made me very sad.

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                     cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Knowing that you have suffered long term effects is very sad.  So sorry.  And please excuse me if I seemed to be making light of your accident.

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                        Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        I make light of it myself. It is a funny thing to happen. If I don't want to dance I don't have any problems even though I can't drive either.

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10. 93

    FatFreddysCatposted 11 years ago

    When we were in college a buddy and I used to talk about jumping out of an airplane together when we turned 30. (Why 30? I have no idea. There was probably some beer involved.) 30 came and went and we both chickened out, haha. We still joke about it occasionally but unless I'm on an airplane that happens to be on fire or headed directly into a mountain, I doubt you'll ever catch me jumping out of one.

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       cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       haha, the proverbial "I'm not jumping from a perfectly good airplane."  Who knows, you may fulfill that solemn oath yet.  Did you happen to seal that agreement with a drop of blood?

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11. 91

    GA Andersonposted 11 years ago

    I did it. Back in the 70's.
    Round chute, static line - no tandems, no glider chutes -  loved it - after the chute opened that is.
    
    The quick story:
    Two buddies and myself - on a lark
    
    $90 (remember it was the 70's) and 90 minutes "ground" school - they taught you how to land.
    **Just when you thought you were about to hit - pull up hard on the chute control lines (one in each hand) and flex you knees
    
    Me, two other guys, and a girl in the plane (small "Piper" type plane with right side door removed
    
    Pilots exit instructions: (as taught at "ground school")
    One!
    to the door (door opening that is)
    Two!
    in the door (sitting on your butt, slide your feet outside the plane - one foot resting on outside step)
    Three!
    Out the door - pull your self out of the plane, standing on the step, holding on to the wing strut
    Four!
    Release - uh...LET GO OF THE STRUT!
    
    Well, it went like this...
    I was to be third out - small plane, so I could see the ground disappearing as we reached altitude
    Time to jump - first guy out - I'm nervous, and thinking I made a bad decision, as I watch him follow the commands and exit the plane.
    
    He looked a little nervous too, while he was standing on that outer step, almost flapping in the wind - and he screamed as he let go
    
    Now I'm sure I made a mistake - but...
    
    Damn! #2 out was the girl - same scenario, follow the commands - flap in the wind hanging on to the wing struts, and scream when she had to let go.
    
    Now I'm positive I made a bad decision - I DO NOT want to get in that doorway, I DO NOT want to get on that wing, I DO NOT want to jump - I WILL ride that plane back down to the landing strip!
    
    But...
    
    Here's the dumb part - I was a young, mumble-something-year old macho guy. There was one guy left to jump behind me. I just saw a GIRL do it. I just couldn't chicken out.....
    
    I really wanted to ride that plane back down and land, but I had to go through with it - the other guy was watching. Damn that macho ego stuff.
    
    Ok, my turn...
    One!
    I slide to the door
    
    Two!
    Indenting my fingers prints into the metal door frame - I slide forward until my legs are hanging outside the plane
    
    Thr... WAIT!
    I can't find the step! I'm, coming back in - nope there it is, damn! Now I'm setting in the open doorway - half in, half out.
    Three!
    On the wing.... I did it, but, and this is the honest truth, as I'm hanging on the strut, about to release, I had what I think is the most serious thought I had ever had in my life - up to that point, that is.
    "You dumb ass! You just killed yourself because you're too macho to let a girl show you up!!!!!!!!  (I really think I might have chickened out if a girl had not jumped before me)
    
    Four! Release....
    From release to static line chute opening is a very jumbled memory - but it was quick. I don't even remember having time to be mad that I killed myself again.
    
    Chute open!
    
    AWESOME!!!!! There is absolutely no way to describe it so that others can feel it -you just have to do it.
    
    The landing? Well, I misjudged of course. When I thought I was about to hit, and pulled the cords and flexed my knees - I was still about twenty feet away from earth - I hit like a sack of potatoes. Once I stopped rolling,  I had to quickly untie my shoes - they were choking me.
    
    I did not jump a second time.
    
    But I loved it, and would do it again - now that is.
    
    GA

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       cam8510posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       What a great story and well told.  How many deeds, great and small, have been done because a girl went first?  You've made me very anxious, in a good way, for my first jump.

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          GA Andersonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Glad you liked it.
          Every word true.
          I am so glad I did it.
          Go for it - if you live, you will never regret it.
          
          GA

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