Do a Skydive

So one day I got a WhatsApp message from my eldest daughter who had just gone to live in Australia.

“Hi mum, got to be quick – I’m in the back of a van.

“Yes, don’t worry – I’m with my friends, there’s not much signal..”

“WHAT?? YOU OK?? YOU NEED HELP??”

“Oh that’s a relief – all OK?”

“Yes 🙂 Love you.”

Next message:

“I’ve just done a parachute jump – I didn’t want to worry you”

I can’t tell you how pleased I am that there was a gap before the last message.

My nerves can’t handle it, as it is… she was totally right.
It was amazing – she’s got a wonderful film, I’ll find it and show you.

It’s fair to say that jumping out of an aeroplane and plummeting to the Earth at great speed… is a bit counterintuitive.

It challenges our most basic self-protection mechanisms

(a little like the bungee jump, but with the added mental equation of EXTREME heights = greater jeopardy)

For reference – there has not been a single fatality with tandem jumps in the past 20 years.

And an injury rate of about 1/1000.
(Mostly grazed knees and the odd bruise -they have to record all of them) but also there have been some broken bones.

Obesity does contribute significantly to the chance of injury.

All of that said – it is still statistically safer than driving.
Significantly.

And with great courage, comes great reward – you actually get to do what humans can’t do
(and almost everyone you meet won’t be brave enough to do)

…and that is TO FLY – for a whole minute.

Almost always people take their first jump as a tandem – attached securely to the instructor.

There isn’t TOO much to learn when you’re flying in tandem, but you need to listen carefully to the instructions you are given in the safety briefing,
and follow them completely.

Be prepared for a wait for the right conditions and for instructor availability on the day, to head skyward.

Enjoy the fun of the flight – where you’ll find a friendly, lighthearted atmosphere – to purposely put you at your ease.
(Probably a bit of gentle teasing 😉 )

Dress for the weather on the ground (it’s tempting to wrap up super warm, but you’ll have too much adrenaline in your system to feel the cold)

When you jump from the plane, you’ll be securely harnessed to your instructor.

The sensation is usually described as a floating feeling, but the air rushing past reminds you that you are falling.

Your instructor will already have shown you how to land – you won’t be able to hear because it will be too loud,
so make sure you pay attention to the hand signals she/he will use to remind you what to do.

And when the parachute opens… you get a 1500m high, 360-degree view like nothing else.

Relish the fact that now you are part of the exclusive club of people – who have done a skydive.

https://britishskydiving.org/ will help you find where to jump and answer all your questions.

Blue Skies, everyone x

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