I'm gonna go parachuting for the first time this weekend and as much as I'm excited I'm starting to feel a bit nervous... I know there are people who jump everyday...some have even jumped over 500 times!! nowadays it's supposed to be safe but how safe could it really be?? What do you guys think??
218116
Have been many times.  It is a great rush but, I wont lie to you, it is a scary ride until you are out of the plane.\n\nOnce you are out you will be amazed at the sensation - you have to try it to appreciate it.\n\nAre you going for a tandem, static line or AFF?  Any form of freefall is better than a static line although this is a buzz too.\n\nHot Tips:\n\n1. Listen to everything your instructor says and DO NOT second guess them;\n2. Watch everything happening on the drop zone - this is informative and part of the experience;\n3. Get a good nights sleep before you go ... I hope I don't have to say this but - no drink, no drugs!  Dutch courage in skydiving is dangerous.\n4. Relax and enjoy.  When your time comes to exit just do it ... same logic as jumping into a cold pool - jump then think about the temperature !\n\nDrop me a line if you need any other information \n\nBlue Skies   =8-)
48321
if you feel someone is after you, or gonna hurt you, GET HELP!!! Inform EVERYONE YOU KNOW that you feel you may be in danger. You should not go anywhere alone!!! Don't become a victim. I am a mom with 2 kids and a family, I care about you!! Write to me at: javagirl09@excite.com I want to help!!
36370
I was in an auto accident once where the car went off the road and flipped in the air.  Once I was airborn I thought that 'This is IT'.  I didn't feel my life go before my eyes or anything like that.  I felt cool and calm.  When I did clime back up to the road a passerby had stopped and was shocked to find out I was not hurt.\nI've allso tried suicide, and when I woke up the next day, I was really mad at not being successful, but life goes on.
41168
Can you fall???  \n\nThis is the best lesson you can learn!!!  Put your padding on <wrist guards, and knee pads are good>, and practice falling down.  Do this at least 100 times.  After the first 10 times, you'll get board and find creative ways to fall.  Once you've mastered falling, you can try anything without fear, and then you approach your new stunts <going backwards> just like you did with falling.\n\nBasically, you're screen name says it all ... it all came tumbling down!!!
77516
If you're nervous about flying, taking off for the first time can be a little traumatic. It's noisy and when the plane leaves the runway you'll have a sudden "sinking" feeling oddly enough. Your ears will "pop" shortly after take-off but if you chew gum that'll help. I don't think your fear of heights will be too much of a problem...it's kind of different in a plane but I can't explain why. Try and get a window seat because the views can be spectacular. Landing is noisy too and you'll hear bumps and other strange noises but they're all normal and when you actually do touch down it's kind of like putting on the brakes really hard in your car. Don't worry, you'll be fine....driving to the airport is actually more dangerous than flying.\nHave a great trip.
14732
When I was in 10th grade, one of the my classmates went cliff jumping and only jumped from about 45 ft. The way he landed in the water broke his spine and he died instantly.  \n\nThe higher you jump from, the more risk there is, as you hit the water at a higher force the further you fall. That being said, if you know how to jump, and are confident at it, then you can minimize your risk of injuring yourself.
460583
Firstly i have to mention, Whilst I am certified, I'm not the most experienced diver, so I cant speak for everyone,but I think everyone dives for their own reasons, and some of us may not be all that sane :) but I can tell you why I do. It is like going to another planet, the beauty never fails to surprise and amaze. Every single dive is different and you never know what you'll see. If your want you can interact with amazing wildlife, and some of them want to play with you! As a water baby I find an awesome sense of peace by just being underwater, I cant believe that not everyone feels the same way...And the way you feel more alive just after a dive is worth all the trouble. Yes we do have to ALWAYS have to keep in mind the dangers, there are so many of them, but I think that goes hand in hand with respecting the amazing environment we are about to enter, our bodies are not built to go where it cant get its most fundamental need, air, but a lucky few of us brave it anyway.. Hopefully the dangers keep people who shouldn't be diving out of it..bad buddy experience..
76711
Fall off a building, chances are you're going to realize what happened and panic.  You're body goes into terrible shock and you can die from fright on the way down.\n\nAmusement park ride is a different story.  You have a pretty good idea that you're gonna make it down safely, so generally you don't panic that bad.  It gives you a feeling of a 'rush' because you know what 'could' have happened, though most likely what 'could' happen never will.
187244
I recommend going down to a busy airport and watching airplanes takeoff and land for 30 minutes.  Then think about how every one of those flights will land at its destination safely.  Then think about how many more flights there will be today and then how many flights there are this week...They will all land safely and this goes on everday without you even thinking about it.\n\nYou are in the hands of highly-trained, highly-skilled professionals.  Also remember that the pilots have to go everywhere you go, so our own safety is in our minds as much as yours is.  Stop by up front and say hello to the flight crew...I find that helps people too if they see us up there.\n\nThink about how many flights landed safely all over the country just in the time it took you to write your question.  Relax and enjoy the view...
214381
How about bungee-jumping? The rush is amazing. Try not to over think it. Live life and you will find that the little things are the ones that keep you going and make life interesting. Go clubbing with your firends: you make new ones and meet interesting people. Go on a roadtrip with them, it doesn't take that much money and it is increadibly fun if you go with your good friends, It worked for me.if none of that work: Read a good scary book alone at your house, that should do it.
91668
Flying in a plane is perfectly safe. Crashing is a bit of a problem, though.\n\nThere are lots of really strange and unpleasant things that can and do happen to us in everyday life. I think the best policy is to be vigilant without being so worried that the good things actually pass us by.\n\nWhen you realize that the risk-assessment that we all do on a daily basis is pretty flawed, and mostly irrational, you could either be just as scared of flying, but even more frightened about crossing the road, or you could put it all in perspective.\n\nA few years ago I settled on the idea that worrying too much about what is going to happen to me (beyond taking reasonable care of myself, not smoking, obeying street signs, and the like) was more a function of egotism, of putting too high a value on my own life. This, paradoxically, means that I was building myself up rather more than I deserved or needed to. \n\nThis may sound a little odd at first, but if I look at your position, here's how it would go: are you afraid of the plane crashing? or are you afraid that YOU are going to die in a plane crash? There's subtle difference. If you don't put any more psychological importance on your own life than you do on the other anonymous people on the plane, you're much less likely to be paranoid about flying - and much more likely to pay attention to the statistics that show that airplanes are relatively safe transport.\n\nIf you're living now, what's the big deal about dying, anyway? We've had this opportunity to experience the world, and someday we're not going to be here. So, what? If you want to imagine what it's like to be dead, think about what the world was like before you were born. You weren't here, even though people you love were already around. You don't miss it. Everyone went around doing what they doing and saying what they say with no help (or hindrance) from us.\n\nLove life, but not so much that it gets in the way of the long view.
123083
I hear you and my motto is: the day I do not fear jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is the day I stop skydiving.  I mean, if you're not scared--why do it?
623297
You have never been safe!\nWe have always been at the mercy of nature, gravity, bad drivers, crazed neighbors, bad food choking hazards and pointy objects. Then there are comets and meteorites, diseases, famine and wars.\nMost of us manage to avoid these things without trying. And the odds are real good that you will too. \n\nRelax and put your energy into something beside irrational worry.
167197
Well, I kind of can relate. My best friend just tried out for cheerleading. She was REALLY nervous about it too. She kept on thinking negatively, and she thought she wasn't going to make it. But, then she got really excited and then all of sudden she butterflies in her stomach. Kind of how you are? Well, I got her relaxed by just telling her to BREATHE!!! Then told her to think POSITIVELY!! Think that your a great cheerleader, and if they don't put you on the squad...they are CRAZY!!! Just try to stop worrying, you'll probably do AWESOME!! Try hanging out with some friends to get your mind off of things for a little while. And maybe even practice your cheer! And practice your tumbling, and splits, and jumps. Practice makes perfect! That helped my friend alot when her and I just talked about anything and even though I'm a soccer player I helped her practice her cheer. She even tought the WHOLE cheer to me. And, at the end of it all she ended up making the squad! So, just relax. Im sure you'll do great! GOOD LUCK!!\n\nA quote that I have learned that is kind of inspirational...\n"If you think you can, you can! If you think you can't, then your probably right!" -Mark Kay Ash
281350
i know--i kept on getting creeped out on going on a plane and i kept fearing death of a plane crash. but you know just how many people fly each day without crashing? millions. so don't worry about it. just stay calm and relaxed and don't think about it. do not worry and react like you did before sept. 11 and remind yourself that you are going to be O-K. okay? okay
79653
I have had this dream a few times and it always scares me. I don't know how to fly but somehow I manage to get way up high and I'm afraid of falling, but never do. This question stirred up some weird feelings for me, something to ponder.
146078
I usually say get me home right now! I was always afraid that something might happen to me. Yes, fell down the stairs couple of times, and one time I picked a fight with a bouncer 4 times bigger than me because he said I was underage.\nThe next time out i was burned from going to the club and friend asked me, don't you remember picking a fight with that security guard...I said no...I wouldn't do sure a thing. OH WELL...