?

It you had the opportunity to skydive would you do it?

Poll closed May 21, 2009.
  1. Yes, I would love to try it.

    6 vote(s)
    54.5%
  2. No, I would never do it.

    2 vote(s)
    18.2%
  3. Wouldn't know until I was in that situation.

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%
  4. Would need to know more about it before I would consider it.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    Skydiving - Have you done it?

    Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by becca, May 14, 2009.

    Hello all,

    I am writing and nonfiction article for my writing school assignment about skydiving. I was wondering if any of you have, and would be open to an e-mail interview. Please message me if you are willing to hlep me out.

    Otherwise, lets just talk about it.

    Does anyone want to try skydiving?
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Now why would I want to jump out of a perfectly good plane? ;)

    Kidding aside, I've thought about it, but I'm not sure I could overcome my fear of heights enough to actually do it.
     
  3. sophie.

    sophie. New Member

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    I'm pretty ignorant on this subject...but a parachute jump is not the same as skydiving, is that right? (if it isn't, ignore me :p)

    I would prefer a parachute jump to sky diving. I think.
     
  4. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    You can do a static line dive. As coulpe seconds, usually about 2 seconds after you leave the plane, a cord opens your parahute so you float down. Not a lot of free fall.
     
  5. The Freshmaker

    The Freshmaker <insert obscure pop culture reference> Contributor

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    Huh-uh. No way. I have enough anxiety just going on a rollercoaster. If I tried to jump out of a plane, I'd probably have an aneurysm.
     
  6. CDRW

    CDRW Contributor Contributor

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    I would do it in a heartbeat. It looks like so much fun, plus, even if I didn't think it looked fun I'd still do it. That's one of those things that you have to do just so you can say you didn't chicken out later, like eating bugs during a survival training course.
     
  7. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    LOL

    I yo-yo back and forth between never, and maybe someday. So I wouldn't really know until I had the chance. But I am not going to go out of my way for the chance.

    I just start imagining what I would be thinking AFTER I had jumped out of the plane. Like what the H**L was I thinking!

    It's not supposed to be as bad as a rollercoaster. One of the books I am reading for research says that there is no stomach bottom out, that you get when you are on a rollercoaster. Also, you are not supposed to get sick, if you do, it's supposed to be from nerves and whatnot. Not from the actual jump.
     
  8. Bob Magness

    Bob Magness New Member

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    As any skydiver will tell you: ain't no such thing as a perfectly good plane. :)

    I sky dive from time to time. I'll answer any questions I can.
     
  9. Bob Magness

    Bob Magness New Member

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    I have never experienced that stomach bottoming out while skydiving that I experience on roller coasters. It makes sense, do you get that feeling when you, say, jump off of a high diving board? The only time I have ever gotten a little sick was strictly from AFTER the parachute opening. The first time I ever jumped out of a plane, civilian style, was on a tandem jump. The instructor, after opening the chute, pulled all sorts of high G moves. That was rough on my stomach.
     
  10. Bob Magness

    Bob Magness New Member

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    Different names for the same thing for the most part. But there are different types. In the military we usually do static line jumps, which are just as becca described. The chute is pulled right as you are jumping out. This is usually done at lower altitude, like 3,500 feet or so.

    You can go tandem, which I recommend if you just want to do it once. In this case you are strapped to an instructor. You will usually jump out at about 2 miles up or so. You will freefall for a mile, pull the cord, and then complete the next mile under canopy.

    Solo jumping is the same as tandem except you are all on your own.
     
  11. sophie.

    sophie. New Member

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    I would definately go with tandem then...I would probably end up too paralysed with fear to pull the cord by myself :p
     
  12. hiddennovelist

    hiddennovelist Contributor Contributor

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    I do. I would never be able to skydive...big, fat chicken, right here.
     
  13. Neha

    Neha Beyond Infinity. Contributor

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    I've never been on an adult roller coaster..

    NEVER...too scared.


    However I have rappled on a 40 feet mountain jag, and done mountaineering on a 75 ft jag.

    I'd probably close my eyes and jump, and then think-****, now why did I just do that?
     
  14. Lavarian

    Lavarian Contributor Contributor

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    You're really missing out. I simply can't get enough of them. (I used to be deathly afraid too)
     
  15. chandler245

    chandler245 Banned

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    I went tandem, took the classes, went out of the plane, not willing, screaming, and I hit the ground, threw up. It was the scarest thing I have ever done.
     
  16. sophie.

    sophie. New Member

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    It does sound completely bloody terrifying
     
  17. soujiroseta

    soujiroseta Contributor Contributor

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    Right its decided! i'm gonna do it. But to be honest its one of the things ive always wanted to do in life along with bungee jumping. i think i would go tandem first and then do the solo jumps after.
     
  18. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    You know, while I don't think I want to jump out of a plane, I wouldn't mind trying out a Wind Tunnel. They look like a lot of fun!

    Wind tunnels, are tunnels that give you the same wind resistance you would feel during a free fall. Professionals use them to practice tricks, and they can also be used for training.


    Here are a couple sites, if you want to find out more about skydiving. :)

    Skydive Space Center
    www.skydivespacecenter.com
    Skydive Universtiy
    www.skydiveu.com
    United States Parachute Association (USPA)
    www.uspa.org
    DropZone.com
    www.dropzone.com

    really cool pics!
    Joe Jennings
    www.joejennings.com
     
  19. Rei

    Rei Contributor Contributor

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    Never would do it myself. Watching my dad bungie jump in a straight jacket was enough for me.
     
  20. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    That sounds...um....tramatic...
     
  21. Rei

    Rei Contributor Contributor

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    Well, a lot of escape artists, i.e. in Houdini, do that kind of escape simply hanging upside down. He decided to take it to another level in a way he'd never seen before.
     
  22. becca

    becca Contributor Contributor

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    Wow, that must have been really, really, intense!
     
  23. Rei

    Rei Contributor Contributor

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    Yeah. Despite that experience, I don't think he would sky dive either.
     

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