There's always a risk to any kind of adrenaline-kicking activity like this, but that's part of the buzz I guess.
I did a bungee (165 ft) some years ago, and I remember standing with my toes over the platform, up in the air and ready to jump. When the guy said 'OK, 1,2, 3 JUMP, I just thought as I sailed into the air, ' Ah well, if I die, I die, nothing I can do about it now'
It was also pitch black @ 5pm, November, so i could only see the lights glowing beneath me in the distance.
I was buzzng for days after I'd done it.
Your fella will absolutely be made up with your gift
I know exactly what you mean. Some things you just got to do in life. I can sense your excitement just the way you write about it. Some things are life changing experiences.
He'll love it, my son did it for his 21st, they videod the jump as well, which they gave us the option of buying. We did, even though it was expensive.
Ooh thanks everyone, I really hope he likes it! He once asked me to do it with him, but I can't even go on a downwards escalator without sobbing my eyes out, yet alone jump out of a plane!
I was thinking about buying the video of it, but it's £110 and my mother's birthday is the day before his. So I'm running a bit low on funds.
£110 is a chunk of money. But don't worry, it will live in his memory all his life. And on the safety front, I've thrown myself out of a fully functioning aeroplane more times than many have had hot dinners, not come to any harm yet, apart from being clawed by another freefaller whilst attemting to join up. I think even 1 in 100 000 is probably overstating the danger on a 'per jump' basis. When I did it regularly, one person used to be killed or serverely injured, ie bizzarrely survive, about every 3-4 years. This I think would be something like every 500 000 jumps. Statistically, it's very safe. I believe fishing is the most dangerous sport in Britain, and that's just the amateurs. One thing with parachuting, it's hyper strict on drinking, just like being an airline pilot. Nothing for 24 hours before, and even then not a skinful.
There's always a risk to any kind of adrenaline-kicking activity like this, but that's part of the buzz I guess.
I did a bungee (165 ft) some years ago, and I remember standing with my toes over the platform, up in the air and ready to jump. When the guy said 'OK, 1,2, 3 JUMP, I just thought as I sailed into the air, ' Ah well, if I die, I die, nothing I can do about it now'
It was also pitch black @ 5pm, November, so i could only see the lights glowing beneath me in the distance.
I was buzzng for days after I'd done it.
Your fella will absolutely be made up with your gift
People do die in parachuting disasters but I think these are freak occurences. The comparison with bunjee jumping is pertinent. I think the chances of serious injury resulting from bunjee jumping are considerably higher. The sudden pull-back from the rope can theoretically cause whiplash or even paralysis and the dental damage mentioned by someone else is also more likely because of the massive sudden pressure change in head and neck vascular structures.
I would never ever do a bunjee jump for those reasons. Not because I am too chicken but because of the medical risks. On the contrary, a parachute jump I would do. I think you have made the right choice and the jump should be a wonderful experience. Do let us know how he gets on.
Don't worry, I'll make sure to tell you all how it goes, it's two weeks this Sunday. He's not a drinker, so it shan't be too hard to tell him no! I hope he likes it as much as you say he will.
Ooh thanks everyone, I really hope he likes it! He once asked me to do it with him, but I can't even go on a downwards escalator without sobbing my eyes out, yet alone jump out of a plane!
I was thinking about buying the video of it, but it's £110 and my mother's birthday is the day before his. So I'm running a bit low on funds.
I didnt bother with the vid. Theyre pretty uniform- a few shots of U getting dressed up, the plane, being in the plane, then U freefalling (which is only 30 seconds anyway) they dont film U gliding to the ground which for me was the best bit...
I thought itd be a waste of money so I declined the offer- its all about the JUMP! Tell us how it went!:D
Don't worry, I'll make sure to tell you all how it goes, it's two weeks this Sunday. He's not a drinker, so it shan't be too hard to tell him no! I hope he likes it as much as you say he will.
It's the most excitement you can get with your clothes on!
Just thought I'd update! He went last Sunday, it was a bit cloudy so we had to wait an hour or so but he said it was worth it. Really loved it, we bought pictures (£30) and he's got a massive grin on all of them. Said it was the best present ever. Well worth the money.
One of the cameramen lost his canopy and ended up drifting into the hills somewhere with his reserve. Nothing frightened me more than seeing a falling parachute.
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I know exactly what you mean. Some things you just got to do in life. I can sense your excitement just the way you write about it. Some things are life changing experiences.
It will be an unforgettable experience.
Let us know how it goes.
Never skydived but jumped with a static line three times
No amount of money will convince me jump out of an aeroplane.
Strangely enough I both hate flying and Im a bit scared of heights.... but in spite of that I did a jump!
Can I assure U that there is NO falling sensation whatsoever when U R in freefall... its one of the weirdest things about it!!:eek:
As for me, I'd never do it. It took me over 20 years to get ON a plane, so I'm in no hurry to start jumping out of them!
I was thinking about buying the video of it, but it's £110 and my mother's birthday is the day before his. So I'm running a bit low on funds.
People do die in parachuting disasters but I think these are freak occurences. The comparison with bunjee jumping is pertinent. I think the chances of serious injury resulting from bunjee jumping are considerably higher. The sudden pull-back from the rope can theoretically cause whiplash or even paralysis and the dental damage mentioned by someone else is also more likely because of the massive sudden pressure change in head and neck vascular structures.
I would never ever do a bunjee jump for those reasons. Not because I am too chicken but because of the medical risks. On the contrary, a parachute jump I would do. I think you have made the right choice and the jump should be a wonderful experience. Do let us know how he gets on.
I didnt bother with the vid. Theyre pretty uniform- a few shots of U getting dressed up, the plane, being in the plane, then U freefalling (which is only 30 seconds anyway) they dont film U gliding to the ground which for me was the best bit...
I thought itd be a waste of money so I declined the offer- its all about the JUMP! Tell us how it went!:D
It's the most excitement you can get with your clothes on!
One of the cameramen lost his canopy and ended up drifting into the hills somewhere with his reserve. Nothing frightened me more than seeing a falling parachute.
But it was well worth it.