Skydiving at age 38: sounds fun or the stupidest idea yet?
- Thread starter Clockworkmike
- Start date
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Mike, Take one of your favorite guitars with you. It will ensure your safety because you will make sure no harm comes to it.
Ramo
AmTHRASHador of Chugz
Because he wants it, yes to say he did it and to get the buzz out of doing it. Curiosity and thrill its whats driving humans exploring new and unknown things. Thats something I would never do as I am scared of heights, but if he wants to do who's to say he should not. Everything is risk in life some higher then others.
My point is, if you want to do something you should do it, not to live in regrets and what if...
RVA
Ambassador
There needs to be a better reason to explore than the fact that you could have died but you didn't. How about finding new species underwater, testing dams for integrity, be a test subject for a possible cure for a fatal disease, go into dangerous neighborhoods and try to get gang members to stop criminal activity. Those are all dangerous activities with a purpose and which have merit to counterbalance the risk.
But paying $$ to pretend to pull a cord and hope that your prepackaged parachute opens is confronting death to FALSELY try to prove to yourself that you are brave. You are not brave, you are foolharty (defined as daring, without judgement).
Bravery is taking on a worthy cause where others would not, and being willing to accept the consequences - like many war heros or the examples above. The people who jump do so because they assume that the bad thing (splat) would never happen to them because of the odds, not because they are ready to accept the consequences.
@Clockworkmike , you already are impressive and brave for what you do. As you said, you face high voltage to bring essential power to the homes of thousands who need it to live. You are brave enough to raise two children in this difficult world. You have steadfast integrity, never a bad word to say about anyone, honest and always willing to help. You have made your mark and keep doing it every day. This jump could not possibly add to that.
jtcnj
Ambassador of the Crossroad
, I get an adrenaline rush every time I press any button higher than 10 in an elevator....
I got that rush every time I've been ON TOP of the car.
This path you must walk alone.
If YOU feel you need this; that it adds to your sense of fulfillment in life, then it is right.
It is safer than mainly daily activities, but somebody does roll snake eyes now and then.
I dont know if this is one of those things where mom would say make sure you wear clean underwear or not....
I always wanted to do this when I was younger and had no real responsibilities.
Done my share of thrills, dirt bikes, running from the cops, roller coasters, repeatedly annoying a bee's nest, jumping from bridges or other high plunges into water, (running from the cops) etc.
Running up the steps of The Castle at Chichen Itza was thrilling. its scary coming back down, lol.
RVA
Ambassador
Now that is thinking outside the box!Mike had no idea what he was getting into when he started this poll. This has easily turned into one of the most philosophical threads on the whole site.
Lets spice it up a bit. Jump two at a time, but your brother jumps with your wife and you jump with his. Then if anything goes wrong, you at least get a new wife along with the kids and the life insurance.
And if you dont have life insurance then step over here and let me tell you all about Indexed Universal Life insurance...
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
Its not something that can be conveyed really... its a thing you either get or you dont--- and there is nothing wrong with that.
BUT -- based on my public speaking/meetings and sales closes the best way I might can describe the feeling Ray--- is when you are in court -- arguing a case....... that MOMENT where all your sense are firing at 120% when you HAVE the the case locked, when you deliver that kill comment and knock it out of the park ........ that FEELING ..........is about the same.
Winning a big job in front of a team of customers has a similar adrenaline rush as does riding but --- I can go out turn the key and get THAT rush anytime.... the sales win the court win they take weeks months years of work time and aggravation/risk/$ planning scheming plotting ...... for that "AAAHH!!!" moment.
Riding is like MAINLINING that same feeling ---
Diving for me anyway is the opposite --- hanging out on a coral reef watching nature at its best........ that is PURE relaxation not adrenaline rush ---
I have cousins who spear fish......
deep dive
cave dive
ice dive
etc etc
they are doing adrenaline ----- and -- they are taking risks -- I prefer not to though they invite me all the time to go.
I go diving and calmly hang out--relax --- sometimes find a spot to just SIT on the bottom quiet and still and watch all the life come out around me
Im told diving is "dangerous" ..... but so is going in the 7-11 (check on line videos people get shot mugged robbed beat down) at 7-11 .......but millions go there every day ......
everything is a calculated risk --- your brain makes those calculations -- balances your FEELINGS and you DO whatever that THING is or you dont ..... everyone is different.
I know of people who CANT LEAVE THE HOUSE period--
I know one that will SKY DIVE ....but wont ride a motorcycle
One WILL NOT drive a car (they lost there parent to a drunk driver) but that same person will take a bus ...train...or even FLY ..... uhm.... ?
some people love riding horses (dangerous -- ask Christopher Reeves)-- but wont ride a motorcycle .....
we all take risks .......all the time......... I know MANY people who smoke ---PROVEN DEADLY--- wont ride a motorcycle-- wont skydive--- wont scuba dive.... go figure......
every time you buy that pack of smokes you rationalize a decision ...... and you choose it.
we all fool ourselves every day and we all go out there into the big mean cruel world and do crap that can get us dead everyday ...........
Happiness -- is just that -- and its becoming more rare and fleeting in this world so if you find it in some sport or activity -- -then do it--
its the things that are OUTSIDE our comfort zone that are the way points of life that make up the story you tell in the end ....
WHo wants to hear "I lived 92 years, didnt do a damn thing ....watched tv. went to work ..... paid my bills ......"
I want to tell how I dove this reef -- I rode this Mountain been in this many states/countries-- I watched Eagles catch fish from a stream in Alaska --- and dove 150ft down to ship wreck off the Bahamas that sat right at the ledge to the DEEP BLUE (man that was truly AMAZING ) and I got this scar form this wreck .... and this scar from that event....and these scars from having cancer removed and kicking its a$$ ....and these wrinkles from SMILING...... and tell the story of how I ..........LIVED A LIFE
Zzzzz
Ambassador
Do it & record the whole thing for us!!! YASSS!
RVA
Ambassador
BTW,
@Clockworkmike , just spend some quality time with YOU and ask yourself why you think you need this to feel fulfilled. When you find the void it fills, see if there is a better means of filling it. If it must be filled, and there is no other way to do it, then jump and hope for the best...until the next time it needs filling.
Winning a job is putting food on the table for your family and an acknowledgement of your good work. Winning a case in court is getting justice for a wronged party. Risking death to get an adrenaline fix is not of the same category and would make me question my needs. There are lots of things that were dangerous and felt good that wisdom and reflection stopped me from doing. Remember those things you did in your teens, 20s, and 30s that you think are stupid now? I contend that skydiving is one of those things. Let's grant our friend Mike the benefit of our old ass wisdom. Or I will do it:
@Clockworkmike , just spend some quality time with YOU and ask yourself why you think you need this to feel fulfilled. When you find the void it fills, see if there is a better means of filling it. If it must be filled, and there is no other way to do it, then jump and hope for the best...until the next time it needs filling.
OP
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
I think @Yargnad knocked it out of the park when he said this has become a philosophical thread more than anything and i say that not in a snide or laughing manner, but rather a respectful and grateful manner! It's really honestly refreshing to hear a peaceful and well debated topic from both perspectives, with some pretty deep thoughts. That comes from every one of you here taking the time to give a good perspective and I sincerely appreciate that! ( @eSGEe and @RVA give both a great yin and yang !)
Now for the bad part lol
As it stands at this very moment ( this morning to be in fact), we wont be going July 17th anyways now, which is when my brother and his wife asked us to go. Apparently they didn't check with that skydiving crew's flight procedures: they only do 2 divers at a time in addition to the 2 instructors and 1 pilot because the planes this group are using are just Cessnas and that seems a lil sketchy to me if Im honest lol
Maybe this was for the best i suppose? At the very least, it prevents the possibility that all four of us could suffer any potentially catastrophic event simultaneously. I guess it also gives a little more time to ponder over it, at least me and my wife anyways because my brother and his wife are pretty much locked in ( barring any last minute changes). I will say that considering this particular skydiving company's current situation and plane? If we DO decide to try it, it will be with someone else and with a more transparent flight record ( i literally cant find anything like that with these guys or their certifications from their site). There is a company about 3.5hrs east of here that I know from friends going there and they have a stellar record and much better equipment.
Now for the bad part lol
As it stands at this very moment ( this morning to be in fact), we wont be going July 17th anyways now, which is when my brother and his wife asked us to go. Apparently they didn't check with that skydiving crew's flight procedures: they only do 2 divers at a time in addition to the 2 instructors and 1 pilot because the planes this group are using are just Cessnas and that seems a lil sketchy to me if Im honest lol
Maybe this was for the best i suppose? At the very least, it prevents the possibility that all four of us could suffer any potentially catastrophic event simultaneously. I guess it also gives a little more time to ponder over it, at least me and my wife anyways because my brother and his wife are pretty much locked in ( barring any last minute changes). I will say that considering this particular skydiving company's current situation and plane? If we DO decide to try it, it will be with someone else and with a more transparent flight record ( i literally cant find anything like that with these guys or their certifications from their site). There is a company about 3.5hrs east of here that I know from friends going there and they have a stellar record and much better equipment.
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chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Mike had no idea what he was getting into when he started this poll. This has easily turned into one of the most philosophical threads on the whole site.
Lets spice it up a bit. Jump two at a time, but your brother jumps with your wife and you jump with his. Then if anything goes wrong, you at least get a new wife along with the kids and the life insurance.
And if you dont have life insurance then step over here and let me tell you all about Indexed Universal Life insurance...
Not sure what Indexed UL is but I am pretty sure most life insurances have clauses in them regarding Parachuting and drag racing...
Just saying...
OH and also if I am not mistaken, don't most Skydive places take newbies down in Tandem with an instructor anyway?
OP
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Yep you're 100% right on the tandem jumps. Currently, you have to have 25 assisted jumps just to qualify for the right to take a USPA 'A' License that would allow you to jump unassisted. I have 3 logged in now but they were indoor skydiving ( which somehow counts but i myself would question that training over an outdoor jump).
And as for life insurance, yeah many will have a rider that excludes life-threatening adventures like Skydiving, Rock Climbing, Bungee Jumping, Racing and even Scuba Diving on some policies. Theres some that dont and there are those bunk policies you can buy right before you do a dangerous sport that almost never payout
I feel bad for ya Mike.
I know you were pumped for this, and it is a major let down.
Like going to the car, guitar, house, meth, etc... dealer with a pocket full of cash, only to find they just sold the object of your desires.
But it gives you a chance to step back, take a breath and look at the big picture.
When it's right, it'll happen, brother!
I know you were pumped for this, and it is a major let down.Like going to the car, guitar, house, meth, etc... dealer with a pocket full of cash, only to find they just sold the object of your desires.
But it gives you a chance to step back, take a breath and look at the big picture.
When it's right, it'll happen, brother!
OP
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Oh its ok man, i appreciate that though! We'll put our heads together and go back to the drawing board on a more practical approach to this. We kinda got hit with the offer randomly yesterday afternoon, before I posted about it and hadnt gotten to do our research into it like how many could fly, records etc. Neither did my brother for that matter lol.I feel bad for ya Mike.
Like going to the car, guitar, house, meth, etc... dealer with a pocket full of cash, only to find they just sold the object of your desires.
But it gives you a chance to step back, take a breath and look at the big picture.
When it's right, it'll happen, brother!
But we'll come back to this idea with some time to think it over!
Ebidis
Ambassador of Cross Legged Tele-Communication
What were you expecting, a 747?
OP
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Lol not quite that big but definitely not a Pablo Escobar Coke Wagon eitherWhat were you expecting, a 747?
Ebidis
Ambassador of Cross Legged Tele-Communication
I was thinking "The Buddy Holly Express".
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
Ebidis
Ambassador of Cross Legged Tele-Communication
Hey now, let's keep it family friendly.O.K. now which one is YING and which is YANG ??????