SKY DIVING - anyone been with type I

[Maddy]

Hi Everyone,

i am planning to go sky diving for my 21st!! yay!!! has anyone been? or does anyone know of any diabetes related risks when going?

last thing id want is to pass out on the way down!!!

cheers

Maddy

[ali]

hey maddy,

i have being 3 times - only Tandem (dont suggest going alone and i dont know if they will allow you anyway - not worth the risk. with someone attached to you its fun and you can chat and talk about the views on the way down - nb: after shoot has opened)

I ENJOYED IT SOOOO MUCH hence going three times. i went when i was 16 for the first time 11 years ago (scary lol) and when i was 17 then 20.

have a great time and be sure to get a video done of the experience. i still look at mine its a classic.

D related stuff - my sugars went a little high. I believe from the adrenalin. although i made sure they were not low before i went up. Just test test test before you head up and when you have landed.
Be sure to enjoy yourself !!!

take lots of pics as well and when they do the video get them to take photos as well.

best of luck

[Beloved]

Hi Maddy

Yeah I went skydiving in 2000 - wasn't long after I got diagnosed, so I think it was my dad's consolation present for that. :p To be honest I never even THOUGHT about the risks of hypo at the time... but on thinking about it, I guess if you make sure you eat just before you go, something low GI like a sandwich, and then maybe have, say, an apple before you go up in the plane, you should be pretty right. Probably a good idea to get your sugars up a little higher than normal, even, because once that adrenaline kicks in it could lower them a bit.

Whatever you do, have a great time! :)

[Beloved]

Whoops... I might've got that adrenalin thing back to front! :p

[Maddy]

Thanks soo much!

i wouldnt dream of going solo! im SO terrified tho, but i cant wait!!!

are you allowed to take a camera with you on the way down?

im definatley going to get the dvd done of it, its going to be so much fun!!!

thanks heaps for your advice!

[Maddy]

i dont wanna eat too much before or i might lose it on the way down!!!

[Shan]

I went in 96 when I was 16, I didn't even consider the diabetes side of things!

[brikir]

Hi there.

I'm type 1 diabetic and have done 300 skydives. The first couple of those were tandem. What I would suggest to you is to simply eat a bit of food before u head up (i.e a muslei bar) or a bit of gatorade and then give yourself a test before getting on the plane. In my experience the adrenalin makes my BSL go up. You probably don't want to be worrying about going low, so I would suggest running a little higher and just enjoying it. Where are u planning to jump? If you are doing it at my DZ which is Tooradin feel free to say hello.

Regards

Brian

[Tim M]

I've done a solo (static line release) and a tandem jump. Good fun and a big thrill for me (I'm scared of heights). Like others my BSLs went high (from adrenaline/fight or flee) and I just made sure that I wouldn't be low so that I could enjoy the experience and take it all in.

P.S. I didn't recognise my speed until I got lower to the ground.


Carolyn (now in China) seems to be the girl to ask about this.

Are you a pumper? Would you disconnect for 20/30 mins (climb and jump)?

[abs]

diabetics have made plenty of jumps... I did a total of nearly 1500 before stopping

the adrenaline can do silly things to sugar levels, so probably best to go up with a little extra if you are concerned

[abs]

oh and Maddy - no, you personally wont be able to take a camera... the freefall speed is approx 200kmh straight down, and depending on where you are planning to jump, either the tandem master or a separate cameraperson can be organised to film/photograph the experience for you

don't worry about "passing out" - any half experienced tandem master will have had someone faint on em

[Blue]

Maddy,
Be warned, it’s very addictive, I’m about to do my 200th. You can arrange for someone to take a video and / or photo’s (extra cost), but you can’t take anything with you. You will have a great time and may even meet another Diabetic – I met Brain on a plane. I go a little high and aim for 9 – 13, I wouldn’t get on the plane if was 5 and dropping. If your doing a tandem nothing to worry about. Let me know if you are going up to Nagambie, however you will need to let me know before, as few up there know I'm D.

[brikir]

You will have a great time and may even meet another Diabetic – I met Brain on a plane.

That was funny Blue. at 14,000 ft just about to jump, it was funny circumstances to meet someone LOL. Had one of Gregs chicken warps and boy did it send my bsl skyward LOL. will make sure not to have one of those next time. But yeah was good to put a face to a name even if we didnt get to talk much cos we were both busy organising our own skydives.

p.s are u going to get a camera helmet?

[Blue]

After the comps are over we will go fun jumping together. See how many more on the forum here we can con (sorry talk) into coming out to play - I think we are lining one up for sponsorship. Yes camera helmet is on the agenda - just have to wait for the camera to be released in October. I'm amazed how often Skydiving appears on this forum!

[brikir]

I'm amazed how often Skydiving appears on this forum!

As far as I know there are a couple of jumpers here. ABS, Carolyn, you and me. But there is bound to be more people that may not have heard about realitycheck.

Just a reminder that jump for diabetes day will be happening on November 4th. So for all us fun jumpers it's a good chance to be jump pigs and raise some money for a good cause. ABS maybe you can dig out your rig for a couple of hop and pops? We have been trying to work out the logistics of sponsored tandems.There have been a couple of issues that might stop them from happening. But there is a way around this. You can book a normal tandem for the 4th of november and make a donation on the day. There will be donation forms at all the dropzones around victoria.So it would be a great way to catch up with other reality checkers,get your knees in the breeze and have a fun day.

Brian

[abs]

sorry but both Carolyn and I and even Smee! have all stopped jumping years ago. I sold my rig over 2 years ago - too expensive an item to have sitting around gathering dust and worrying about reserve repacks, cypres batteries etc

I will be doing (well possibly) a tandem in a little while - a friend is getting his tandem rating. I have life membership of the APF (since June 1992), so it wont cost me a thing

[carolyn]

That's right abs. I haven't jumped for a few years now but didn't stop because of D as it was never an issue for me.

Enjoy the ride Maddy but as Blue said, it can be very addictive.

Every so often I think it would be great to get back into it but also sold my rig when I stopped.


Blue skies.

[Kate]

Just a reminder that jump for diabetes day will be happening on November 4th. So for all us fun jumpers it's a good chance to be jump pigs and raise some money for a good cause.

Hi Brian - Can you tell us more about Jump for Diabetes Day? Who or what are your raising funds for? How do people get involved? Perhaps a new thread with the details is in order.

[Maddy]

Hi Guys,

Thanks all for the advice, i am a nervous quake of jelly at the moment,

im all booked in for the 25th November, so hoping weather permits,

Its a fabulous 21st Birthday present from my ma and pa, bless their socks!!

Ill be jumping in the yarra valley! awwwoooo!!!!!

Thanks again guys!!

ill let you know how i go, i think they will be pushing me out of the plane!!! lets hope my knuckles dont go too white!!!