lord_seagrave Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Chaps, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything with a charitable angle, and, unfortunately for me, I have mentioned to the Trustees once to often that a “charity skydive” would raise a few quid So, I am royally bricking it, and staring down the barrel of a tandem parachute jump/skydive thingy in July. Honestly if anyone has any tips as to how to survive - please let me know!! I must be insane. If any of you feel able to chuck a few quid at this to get the ball rolling, I would be immeasurably grateful - as the CEO (on paper, I don’t actually get paid by the charity) I’m supposed to be “leading from the front”! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simms-falls-out-of-a-plane Even a fiver makes a difference to provide business skills bursaries and support research into entrepreneurship education for those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to it. It’s often the case that necessity leads to innovation, and the Entrepreneurs Trust is there to offer financial support to students and young people who have got big ideas but need academic and practical business skills. Thanks in advance, as always, and Mods please move/remove if this is inappropriate. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 It’s brilliant fun, just relax and enjoy it!! Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 dont go for a curry the night before have a wee before you go up put plenty of toilet paper down your pants take a sick bag the Hercy birds we used to go up in...used to stink of jeyes fluid....for the above reasons....... just enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) 11 minutes ago, ditchman said: dont go for a curry the night before have a wee before you go up put plenty of toilet paper down your pants take a sick bag the Hercy birds we used to go up in...used to stink of jeyes fluid....for the above reasons....... just enjoy yourself 5...stringently check out the guy who's gonna be tightly strapped to your back....? PS (For Lord Seagrave)...I went to pay penance for being frivolous about your brave efforts and the link ain't working :-( Edited June 1, 2019 by Eyefor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarepeg Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 The worst part is from jump to chute snapping open, you swear a lot or I did often☺️Happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Never done a parachute jump but probably would for charity, as long as the wife comes as well, and I can pack her chute, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Don't worry, if the shute doesn't open you get your money back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 I would love to do one, it's the cost that puts me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 When landing cross your legs as it makes it easier to unscrew you from the earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Best way to survive it is ask your partner to pull the chord. Jumping out of a plane didn’t kill anyone, it’s hitting the ground too fast that’s the problem. Also suggest bread and jam for brekky. Only thing I know tastes the same coming up as it did going down. and with that advice good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SainIT Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Don't worry too much. The second jump is the scary one. Ditchman, Jeyes fluid! What a nostalgic memory! I think all the Hercules (called a Flossy in South Africa) in the entire Commonwealth smell of Jeyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted June 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Well this is all very reassuring! Thanks a bunch guys - there is still a space left if anyone is keen. £100 deposit, and the Trust will pay the rest of the jump fee (another £200) if you raise a grand. Have checked the link and it seems to work for me, is this better? https://www.justgiving.com/3e765bcc53 LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 7 hours ago, ditchman said: dont go for a curry the night before have a wee before you go up put plenty of toilet paper down your pants take a sick bag the Hercy birds we used to go up in...used to stink of jeyes fluid....for the above reasons....... just enjoy yourself How many jumps did you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 21 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: How many jumps did you do? one too many.........got invalied out...hitting a stone wall with a 20knot crosswind.is not very exciting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) I remember when i did one . The guy said before we get in the plane . You make the desision to jump here and now .not up there .once you get in that plane thats it your going out the door at 18 k feet we dont fly any body back down again .. When the door opened and the guy i was stapped to moved towards it ..... er .... i was a bit nervous .Any way loved it and id do it again tomorrow . Top tip - If the guy your with, asks, as your coming down, if you like rollercosters , Say no . Edited June 1, 2019 by Ultrastu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 another word for skydiving...is ....."the green rush"........im sure you can figure that one out for yourself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted June 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 3 hours ago, ditchman said: another word for skydiving...is ....."the green rush"........im sure you can figure that one out for yourself... Eurgh - thanks a bunch Ditchy!! LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontastic Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 Sport parachuting has never been safer, just do it and enjoy it. Then if you ever get the chance do it solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 The OP has my admiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 you will be fine............there will be an initial intense rush of sheer terror............then you will get used to the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft............then the chute will open.........(thats the bit when you clench yer bum tight.....dont want any leakage do we)............ the chute will open and you will become very religeous...(any denomination will do)............followed by an intense overwelming feeling of euphoria....that you are going to live its called the SABENA moment.....after the Belgium national airline ....such a bloody experience never again...... this is the point when many "divers" turn permantly to bringing the word of god to peoples doorsteps on a sunday morning...................which ironically is actually more dangerous than jumping out of the bloody aircraft in the first damn place...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 The skydive is a piece of doddle, it's the last two inches that are the problem, but anyone can jump two inches. Just enjoy it, it's a fantastic experience, especially when the chute opens and the noise stops.😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted July 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 (edited) Well, chaps. After leaving the house at 5.30am and arriving at Old Sarum at 8am, I eventually got to jump at 5.30pm I’ve got to say that it was all pretty amazing. I’ve been bricking it for weeks (sleepless nights, nightmares, panics etc.), but the lads from the Red Devils were absolutely brilliant. Funny, nonchalant, but very disciplined when the kit came out - very reassuring for chickens like me! The plane was late arriving (sticky flaps needed sorting out apparently 🤷♂️), and then some tricky low-lying clouds delayed the start even further. I had to go and have a nap in the truck at about 3pm! As the day wore on, the turnarounds became quicker and slicker (there were 48 skydivers being managed that day - most tandem, but some solo “recreational” jumpers), such that, when the time came for my lift, we had about 10 minutes to switch jumpsuits and harnesses (hence no “before” picture). The trip up was a brilliant - the weather was fine, bright and still, so we had a terrific view of Salisbury cathedral, Stonehenge, and, in the distance, the Isle of Wight. I was taken through a final reminder of the drill by my tandem partner, Cpl Steve Handley, shackled to his harness, and, within a matter of minutes, we were at 13,000 feet and ready to drop! Assertively, I was bum-shuffled along the bench to the door, and, hooking my legs under the aircraft Steve rolled us out into nothingness... It’s weird - all my nightmares have focussed on the height and the anticipation of a stomach-churning drop, but THERE IS NO “DROP”. We tumbled weightlessly into the sky, but I experienced no sensation of “falling” at all. The indoor skydiving thingy I did a few weeks back was exactly like the real thing - or, rather, the real thing is just like indoor skydiving. I only felt the “wind” holding me up. Unfortunately, the hat I’d been given (I later discovered) was an extra-large, so, in the rather stiff 100+ mph breeze, began to come off - taking my sunglasses with it! Cue mad scramble to keep them on (cheers Steve for some quick-thinking!). And then, all too soon, the deployment of the parachute, and a very leisurely (albeit with a couple of sharpish turns to get us in the right position) descent into the drop zone. Beautiful, beautiful views of Salisbury and the surrounding countryside - absolutely magnificent. We practised our landing position (my knees hugged against my chest) and then, very gently, we swept along into the DZ, and Steve plonked us down perfectly. A bit of cake and posing followed, and then the day was pretty much over. What an unforgettable experience. I’m glad the nightmares are over, and I certainly wouldn’t rule out doing it again, now I know what to expect! From 13 skydivers, our charity raised nearly £20,000, and we were presented with a further £10,000 from another charity too. It’s made all the anxiety totally worthwhile, and, most importantly, is securing years of support for business skills education and entrepreneurship. Thanks to all those on here that supported me (both financially and with morale-boosting quips). The JustGiving link is still live, I think. Now that I’ve survived, the cash can go to charity rather than to the local undertaker!! LS Edited for spelling Edited July 12, 2019 by lord_seagrave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 12, 2019 Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 Well done that man. A good report of your adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 12, 2019 Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 .........very well done boy.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted July 14, 2019 Report Share Posted July 14, 2019 Nice one. I did one years ago in taupo nz and was going to say the same. A feeling of acceleration but then it feels like you're hovering as you can't see the ground approaching in free fall, at least I couldn't. I loved it and can totally see why people take it up as a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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