I called a place here in San Diego about sky diving, they said they don't let paras jump, they say that in the past people have slide out of the body harness. Has anyone out there done it? I need an adrenaline fix bad.

Hi.....if you look up www.dropzone.com....go into forums into the disabled section..there's a para skydiver there.....he may be able to help you........

Good luck....

glamisgirl I've never heard of that before. I think this guy you were talking to just did not want to admit that he did not want to take a chance with a para. So he lied.

I was talking to this guy who had done 100's of jumps and said it would be no problem for me to jump if I wanted too. At the time I did but I chickend out But I still would love to try it. My problem is I've got a fear of heights. Anyway I would try somewhere else, because I'm sure you can do it.





Dancingdolphin cool website

Hey glamisgirl..... I have 19 jumps to my credit, 5 of those since i've been paralyzed.....I use a batsuit that have braces in the legs, as to keep them stable durring flight. If you have never skydived before, you will need to tandem jump for the first few of times.... Since we are classified as "special needs divers" I would recommend going to a large dive school that has a wind tunnel, those are a HUGE help for us when training.....Once you earn your certification, you won't have issues with chartering planes and freediving on your own.

Did he know what a PARA is?

You could see how a double amp might have difficulty with the harness but with all four limbs you'd need to be rubberboy to slip out!

T

Thanks for your replys. Went to dropzone.com-cool site. Hey Santa Cruz Soul Surfer where do you go? Do you own the batsuit or do they have them where you go?

yes, I have my own suit and I run a 124 mamba pack.....Out here, my friends and I fly out of watsonville airport.... Which is only about 15 minutes from santa cruz, which work out great for us!....If you ever head up here, you are more than welcome to come jump with us.

Thanks for the invite, I just might take you up on it.

The only thing I ask, is that you get your certifications first.....This is essential if you plan on jumping by yourself....Since you are a T6,7,8 complete, we will have to modify a suit for you once you get one..... You injury is much higher then mine and posses some issues we will have to address ahead of time. Finding a wind tunnel is crucial to this process. If you like, I can ask around for you.?.?

-Christiaan

That dropzone.com listed a bunch of places I can call. Do you think the wind tunnel is a good idea even before my 1st tandum jump?

With a tandem jump, you won't have to worry about these issues....I would recommend you spending some time in one, when/if you plan on jumping by yourself....

glamisgirl' somebody is not telling you the truth I I am c3--4 quad and I went tandem twice in 2005 and I'm a big guy six-foot 2 inches tall and 225 pounds I am in Florida and went to http://www.skydivetallahassee.com/ is about 25 miles from my hometown. It was the greatest feeling I've ever felt in my life. So keep trying to find someone because it can be done and it is the most awesome feeling you can imagine.

I forgot to add look at the frequently asked questions page. Here is a quote from that page

What if I have a physical handicap?
We have skydived with many people with various handicaps. Each individual case must be studied for possibilities. Please call us. We want to help you realise your dream and will work something out if possible.

Thanks Mickey.
www.myspace.com/bigwheelzrme

Ricky went skydidiving for his first time a few weeks ago at the drop zone in perris california, Had an awesome time. I'm not so sure I could do it. Sorry the picture files are so big.

Rick

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never thought it would be possible to jump by yourself. What about the landing ? and do u only need braces to ur legs ?can u give me some details about modifications one would need ?

Great pictures. Yes how was the landing? Do you still have to do the same training to prepare yourself for the jump, or since you are doing tandam there was not need to prepare for this?

WOW, thanks for lighting the fire again. I've been wanting to jump for ever, but every time I've had the money i haven't had the time and when I've had the time I haven't had the money. One of these days though.....

The pictures are awsome, it looks like he's having the time of his life. Perris in't too far from San Diego, I'll defenitly be making a trip up there soon. I've read alot of your posts and just wanted to tell you it sounds like you are a killer dad, I hope Ricky knows how lucky he is to have you.

yea like everyone's said. paras can skydive.

I went last Oct. and had it videotaped to show my friends too chicken to go. I'd love to know how to land on my own, because I was unsure, I went tandem. and we landed on the instructor's feet. he didnt even fall carrying my 200 pounds.

How do you keep from shattering everything on impact? I'm a t5/t6 incomplete, and fairly functional, so I'm less likely to throw caution to the wind.

I'm so much waiting for a reply because I want to go again, and its much cheaper single than tandem.

I'm kinda curious about the landing myself.

I tried sky diving once as an AB, and the landing was such that I broke a piece of my tailbone off. I wasn't aware of it until I had an X-ray of my back a year later and was asked about it by the doctor.

Obviously it's possible , but how do you work up to the skills needed when the learning curve is so steep?

I hope it can all be worked out for you as the experience was definitely a rush.

ed

please please someone reply. I'm looking to skydive again, and I want to know how to land on my own so I don't have to tandem.

last jump I went tandem and had it videotaped. i sent it to my SCI doctor, and now shes actually saying she wants to try it. wouldnt that be a trip?!

thanks

I haven't done it yet, but have you asked the person that you tandemed with or the place where you went what the recommended or thought about you being able to solo jump?

of course! but how would an AB know how a para should attempt a landing? I have some mobility, and they said it would be a cinch if I strengthened my leg muscles to be able to hold them up and land on my butt. problem is, I don;t want to cause injury as I'm doing that. I'm not a low injury, I have a t5/6 so a lot of trunk stability is lacking.

And you are right being cautious. I have some experience - 900+ jumps as an AB and active paraglider pilot ever since. All my butt landings are OK, but:

- when I do land on my butt, it is rather well padded since my paraglider harness is equipped with a kind of airbag (see pics)

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- a paraglider has less energy to dissipate at landing than a parachute
- I am really an experienced pilot and can land rather safely, but I can hardly imagine learning such a landing by someone with no previous experience. We did teach two paraplegics to fly and land a paraglider, but they were learning using a chair (visible on some pics and mpgs at my website ). One of them did learn to land on his butt/harness, but only after a couple of weeks using the chair.

Now, there are two kind of speeds when you are approaching ground: sink speed and forward speed. Usual method of landing all aircraft including these we are talking about is to convert your forward speed into climb precisely at the moment you are going to touch down. The problem is, it can be done on a paraglider and on a state-of-the-art parachute, but not on a parachute the students use. And nobody will let you jump a 'fast' parachute from the start on, as it would be suicidal. I myself with would be reluctant to jump it.

There is a paraplegic guy from California jumping a parachute, but he is either landing in the water, or with a kind of lightweight trike: (see also his website)

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To sum it up - landing a parachute by a paraplegic theoretically can be done, but there is really a lot of 'ifs' in it. At least a safe system of holding your legs up with some braces and substantial reinforcing of the harness, as the speed needed to keep you flying and not falling is significant. Look at some learning process here and you'll know what I'm talking about - the guy was supposed to slide over water, but with these speeds slight mistake is enough to make water hard. When somebody (instructor) tells you "No problem, let's go for it", this is a very wishful thinking and he is not a person I would trust. When somebody tells you "well, perhaps it could be done, but there are some problems to be be solved..." - you can start talking to him

Good luck nevertheless

I was thinking more along the lines that if they had been working there for awhile and teaching people, then there is a chance that they could have crossed the path's of another para that jumps on his own coming through there, thus giving them some insight as to how one might go about doing it.

I see. no they were all walking in circles confused how to approach it. until one guy stepped up that had tandemed a para before. no one but him was any help.

I am a T12 incomplete I have some function but not a lot, cant walk but can stand for about a min.
I did a solo jump from 11,000 feet post injury with afo's and the student gear.
I landed with the help of about 4-5 people catching me as a came in.

How do you land in a parachute. Those pics have a guy with his knees down and other ones have it butt down. One slip and you could end up looking like a pretzel.

I'd have to get paid to do that lol

i'd hate to put all my hopes into several people lining up just right to catch my 200 pounds. I had a good tandem experience, but to go solo again... I just need as much info on landing as possible. any way to land completely solo and safely. just people standing by to bring my cair to me is all I want.

Do you have any pics.? I have braces too, but just maneurving to where the people are must have been a feat in itself. Please share pics. if you have them.

I want to jump, but wonder if SantaCruz Surfer has more information about where he trained???
Califanna

This site is worth checking out for all those concerned about being able to skydive solo... Russel is going for his BASE number!

That's the address I already gave in my earlier post, perhaps not ponting it out enough
Still you have to remember that the hard part is the (not shown) landing - and they are landing in the water as standard. As for landing on the ground, I described it previously.

My name is Angus Smith and I am a tandem and solo freefall skydiving instructor in Canada. I have approx 6000 skydives (27 years) and 1700 tandem instructor jumps (16 years). I have done approx. 20 tandems with persons of various disabilities (paraplegic, quad., MS, MD, blind, etc....).

I am currently involved with freefall and parachute training for a women, Minna Mettinen_Kekalainen, who requires the use of a wheel chair. She has no control or feeling in her legs (due to ALS), but has hip flexor contol (which is a big advantage for freefall). She also has some finger control issues.

So far Minna has done 12 tandem jumps since last fall and has recently completed 2 instructor assisted solo skydives. We have also completed some wind tunnel training, which is HIGHLY recommended. We hope to get Minna jumping completely solo (no instructor assistance) by the end of June 2008.

I don't know of any skydiving facility that speciallises in this type of training, but generally the larger operations would have a larger collection of expericanced staff available. I would like to stress to anyone that is thinking of taking up skydiving (including ABs) that it is a very intensive activity that requires sufficient amounts of capability, time and money. It is even more intensive if adaptive equipment and techniques are involved. Only HIGHLY experianced instructors should be utilised. Aquiring the services of a suitable instructor MAY be difficult, as these persons are usually very constrained on available time (due to their capabilities). Freefall training when adaptive equipment and techniques are used is more time consuming.

I am NOT an expert on physical limitations due to disabilities, but as with ABs, there are some situations where freefall and parachute landings are not possible, unless the tandem method is employed. Every case is different. Similarly we have turned away some people due to their mental conditions (unable to focus, incapacity to learn the basics, etc...).

The most critical questions that need to be answered are:

-Can unassisted freefall stability be achieved (with or without adaptive equipment - leg braces, etc..)?
-Can unassisted parachute landing be achieved in a safe and controlled manner?

The wind tunnel is a GREAT tool to answer the question regarding freefall stability. I adopted the equipment that was used by Peter Hewitt (para from South Africa), who re-learned to skydive after an accident on his 27th jump. He had custom leg braces and special freefall pants built to help him stabalise his legs. I have also communicated with numerous other individuals, who have managed to be succesful in overcoming their own physical limitations.

My recommendations regarding parachute landings is: Do a bunch of tandems (with the same instructor) BEFORE attempting a solo landing. A veteran instructor will be able to talk you thru the landing techique and be able to decide for you if it is safe for you to continue. The parachute of choice will be a BIG one. Slower is better and more predictable. Large sized student parachutes are the best choice. Also regarding landings, the conditions (wind) for landings will be more constained for persons that can not stand or walk. The landing accuracy is also critical, as off drop zone landings are potential a more dangerous situation for people without mobility.

This is not an activity that can be taken lightly, so be certian that it is something that you really want. The rewards can be amazing, especially when everyone says " it can't be done".

Please find attached photo of Minna on her first Instructor Assisted Freefall.

Blue Skies,

Angus Smith

I went sky diving for the first time this past weekend and it was incredible!!! I went to a place in Titusville, FL (near Orlando) and the instructors didn't blink an eye. I will def. be going back...jumping out of an airplane at 15,000 feet is so addicting!!!

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Now that is cool. How was the landing?

Cheers

The landing was actually really smooth...we put a strap around my knees and right before we landed I pulled on the strap to pull my legs up to my chest...nothin to it!

I have definitely heard of someone who tried it. He was a para or amputee and I think he ended up doing fine other than when he was free falling one of his legs came up and kicked him in the head. It may even have been in a book about Douglas Bader.

I actually emailed a couple skydiving places over the weekend around Ontario to see if they have issues letting me jump. It will be my first time and I've talked a couple of the boys at my shop into doing it with me. Now we just need to find the best place in the area to try it out. If anyone is in Ontario (particularly around Toronto) and knows of a good place, let me know.

Nice pics! I was wondering how much they charge for the jump?

I got an email back from The Parachute School here in the Toronto area (they are located about an hour outside of Toronto) and they said they are more than happy to have me skydive which is awesome. They said that it just takes some extra prep time but it's "not a big deal" to get me in the air. So I think we're gonna do it in mid-June. Yay! Their website lists the various prices http://www.parachuteschool.com/ and a tandem jump is $299 CDN.

Thanks for the update Mimi. I would love to jump but my wife is terrified.
Take care girl!

It took me a while to talk two of my friends into going with me. They're not chickens either, they're into a lot of different adrenaline-rush type of things like drag racing and motorcycle racing and they were like 'uhhh... i dunno......' It's amazing how many people find skydiving to be beyond terrifying and don't want to do it. I've been asking more friends if they want to join us and everyone is saying no way. I can't wait to do it! I can only imagine how awesome the feeling of falling out of the sky will be! I'm going to email the Parachute back and see what they mean by the extra prep work because I'd to know what the deal is before we get there and start getting ready to jump. The price is a lot more reasonable than I thought it would be, I thought it would cost at least double that to do it. Off-topic, but now that it's summer, I cannot WAIT to start wake-boarding again. I have my own adapted wake-board that a friend of mine made for me a few years ago and I think I'm going to rent a cottage up in Wasaga Beach with a few pals for a week, also in June, that includes a private dock/boat rental and have a blast all week long. Ah, I love summer.

Aw, I'm way excited!! I've always wanted to sky dive and I thought before how awesome it would be to go with my boyfriend. I didn't know if he'd be able to to since his a quad C-5, but from the looks of this thread I'm thinking it's possible! I will definately be asking him! Hopefully he'd be able to cause I think it'd be way fun!

Twisted, good luck on your dive! Please come back and let me know how it goes! I'm very curious and anxious to hear about it! Also, your FRIEND made you a wake-board? Wow, good friend, and very handy for them to know how to do that for you!!! Keep him/her around for future use for sure!

Anyone here a quad and has done sky diving before??

Yup, it has the shittiest homemade adaptations to the wakeboard you can possibly imagine but it works great and gets the job done--and is RELATIVELY safe ! He's used to building stuff and playing around and we did some experimenting with it one summer.

Anyway, back to skydiving! I think we're going to jump the second weekend in June. Weekends are the busiest time at my shop so we're debating about whether or not to try book it for mid-week sometime. Either way, I can't wait! I'm sure that you could find a way for a quad to jump as well. He'd probably love it!

I'm not a quad but i do have a friend who's a C4 who done a jump last september, So depending what your skydive centre is like, i'm sure they would be more than helpful to get your BF in the plane and do a jump. My friend loved it and had no problems.

Awesome! Thanks so much! I'm sure it will take some doing to figure out how we could get him up there and out of the plane (not to mention talking him into doing it) but I'm sure I will figure out a way to work my magic ;)

Any other helpful hints/tips would be wonderful!!

i'm contacting places in CA to skydive this summer, i can't wait because i've always wanted to. i've heard of quads jumping but haven't talked to any of them. i'll let you know how it goes

also, being a quad he won't be able to put up much a fight or be able to run away, just take him to the plane, strap him to a chute & send him flying!

www.parachutecenter.com. It is in Lodi, CA I called there and they said that they will do it. We were going to go but my brother chickened out LOL

I'm a C5/6 and hve jumped tandem 3 times. My first 2 rocked-i had an awesome guy that took the time to plan the entire process with me.

3rd jump was a gong show. i booked my day 3 weeks in advance and tried REPEATEDLY to get a planning session w/ the guy i was to be strapped to. in the end i had 10 minutes of prep time. wound up with 2 broken legs. (that was 6 mnths ago. i just got the all clear from my doc that i'm fully healed and have booked this summer's jump already)

Don't be scared to jump, just plan it carefully and make sure you're comfortable with the team/process before you jump. The rush of free fall is sooo worth it!