Airborne !!! - Page 5

Radar Rider · 05-13-2004, 23:31

Fear of heights is not such a bad thing. It's one of those built in instincts that assist one in self preservation. Avoiding heights aids in avoiding long falls....

When it comes to Airborne operations, it can be overcome. I am still not a big fan of heights, and I've got 68 jumps (plus one off of the 250' tower). The weird part? I HATE the 34' foot tower, and would choose a night/combat equipment/mass tac jump with several hours of NOE over a single exit out of that damn tower!

I suppose it all has to do with confidence in one's self AND the equipment. Army parachutes are excellent, and most soldiers in the Airborne community are extremely cognizant of any dangers assosciated with Airborne operations. It's a great way of life.

DanUCSB · 05-13-2004, 23:41

I had always heard that the 34ft. tower was chosen because of, through some weird facet of human nature, it's the highest you get before your brain stops measuring how high you are, and just lumps it all into, 'holy shit! we're way off the ground!' So that after 34ft, there's no sense in making it any taller.

Any truth to that, or is it just a rumor?

Surgicalcric · 05-14-2004, 02:58

Quote:

Originally posted by DanUCSB
I had always heard that the 34ft. tower was chosen because of, through some weird facet of human nature, it's the highest you get before your brain stops measuring how high you are, and just lumps it all into, 'holy shit! we're way off the ground!' So that after 34ft, there's no sense in making it any taller.

Any truth to that, or is it just a rumor?

I can tell you its not true as far as I am concernced.

In my line of work I constantly find myself on things much higher than 34', 105' Aerial Platforms, hanging from ths side of a high-rise structure, cliff faces, etc... I am still scared crapless each and every time I am subjected to it. I am confident in my equipment, but that changes nothing.

Someone said it best earlier, "if you cant face your fears they will control you."

James D

Solid · 05-14-2004, 03:29

34ft, I've heard, is the maximum height a human can fall from with any decent chance of surviving.
That was from the Clancy book on SF, so take it as you will.

Solid

**Kyobanim** · 05-14-2004, 03:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Robertson
I wish that I had this in my thoughts when my friend told me he gave his slot up. Maybe it was for the better?

I'm glad to hear that you faced your fear and like you said- didn't let it rule your life.

Has your fear of heights been done away with?

Craig

I don't think it will ever go away, you just learn to deal with it.

Radar Rider · 05-14-2004, 04:40

Quote:

Originally posted by DanUCSB
I had always heard that the 34ft. tower was chosen because of, through some weird facet of human nature, it's the highest you get before your brain stops measuring how high you are, and just lumps it all into, 'holy shit! we're way off the ground!' So that after 34ft, there's no sense in making it any taller.

Any truth to that, or is it just a rumor?

That all makes perfect sense to me. I know that I HATE being that amount above the ground, but being 800 or 1250 feet above is ALOT less intimidating. I'll STILL take a jump over that damn tower any day.

**The Reaper** · 05-14-2004, 05:46

It is difficult to put our fears of falling aside.

If you cannot conquer that, you may have trouble being shot at, blown up, etc.

As was stated, you have to dominate your fears and put them behind you.

Training helps with that, along with experience.

I have been injured a number of times over the years doing dangerous stuff and returned to do it again. You just have to put your brain on auto-pilot and follow the instructions you were given without worrying too much.

I believe that is a characteristic of airborne and SF.

TR

**Kyobanim** · 05-14-2004, 06:22

After tower week, I think the harder part of jumping was to have faith in the equipment. I didn't know who was packing the chutes so there was always that nagging thought in the back of my mind, did they do it right?

I didn't have a problem with air assault school, in fact I loved rappelling out of a Huey. But there, I had more control over the equipment and my ability to control it.

Radar Rider · 05-14-2004, 06:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Kyobanim
After tower week, I think the harder part of jumping was to have faith in the equipment.

If I didn't have faith in the equipment, I'd still be a homeless rat hiding under a bridge. Faith, whether it be in God or man, is necessary. If nothing else, I always had God with me. BUT, the riggers performed excellently, as well.

ChaoticVirtuoso · 05-16-2004, 21:02

I've become devout at checking my canopy release out of fear of it malfunctioning

Other than that the only thing that throws me off is when a JM is is JPMI'ing you while having a conversation with another... heh

monkeydan · 05-21-2004, 00:13

I was in Ft. Carson one time and I was watching some guys from 10th Group making jumps from a CH-47. One guy caught an updraft and literally floated off into the distance. I have no idea where he came down at. The same day I watched a guy hit the ground and just not get up for a while. Brave men. On a side note my old flight sergeant (yep you heard right, I'm attached to the AF security forces currently) was in some PIR in Alaska before he "crossed into the blue". He said he used to get air sick, so he would always get put at the back of the line. When those doors opened he would be out the door pushing everyone in front of him.

ChaoticVirtuoso · 05-21-2004, 05:13

Had a night-jump off of Sicily about 4-hours ago as an RTO... I wish I had the luck of ever catching up updraft... I always hit like a sack of shit and before anyone else.

7am...time for sleep... Viper Six, Out!

.45ACP · 05-21-2004, 09:41

Working construction can sometimes help knock the fear of heights out of you, or at least improve your balance greatly. I remember many times balancing on a 2x4 2 stories up with my tool belt on and while holding a big piece of 9 foot sheet rock on my shoulders, and of course the wind always seemed to be blowing strong on those days. I found that I had better walk fast or I was screwed. I fell once but luckily got caught up in the nearby trusses. Most of the guys wouldn't do that higher up work, there were only a few of us that did. I actually enjoyed doing it, I think it's good practice for obstacle courses and what not.

troy2k · 05-30-2004, 04:01

Just a question

Anyhoo, the best way to overcome fear of jumping is do it regularly, get familiar with ABN Ops, and then it is managable. If you say, deploy somewhere for 6 months, then go back in a bird for the first time in a while, the fear feels brand new and foreign. Not cool.
Another personal observation...Combat Equipment is the very best motivator to get the hell out the door (ramp, whatever). That shit hurts.
Oh yes, and 5-6 racetracks on a bird with no A/C in August on Ft Bragg (C-130, MASTAC, 64 C/E jumpers). You'll beg for that green light.

troy2k · 05-30-2004, 04:16

Courtesy of the Mauritanian Air Force