JUMP, was the deafening word I heard behind me. JUMP NOW! The voice continued to shout above the loud wail of the small engine plane. I found myself gripping onto the wing of the plane but found myself letting go and doing as the voice commanded me. In that instant I, Jana MacDonald, was skydiving! While I was spinning down 4000 feet towards the earth, my brain was trying to focus on the one hundred different messages it was receiving. From the cow I could hardly see, to the winding river that seemed ever so close. Joy, fear, and then calmness grasped my soul as at last, my long awaited dream was realized. All my hours of training had finally been rewarded. I was confident in my first jump as a skydiver because I did my homework. Everything from investigating the flight school I chose, to informing myself on the risks involved. What would cause a relatively sane person to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? (Nevermind the duct tape holding the navigational instruments together.) This is the question most people ask skydivers when trying to understand such a strange and often coined "CRAZY" sport.

ELIMINATE SKYDIVING FEARS

I will help eliminate the fears of skydiving most people have by examining the risks involved, the safety issues, and finally, what you need to know about skydiving.

RISKS INVOLVED

Let's be honest: It's not bowling. You are, afterall, jumping out of an airplane and hurtling towards the ground at 100 miles per hour, so there is risk involved. However, it's not Russian Roulette either. Skydiving is actually one of the safest so-called "EXTREME" sports out there. According to Dropzone.com, only 35 people die skydiving out of about 2 million parachute jumps every year, in the whole world.

• 92% of these skydiving fatalities were the cause of mistakes in judgment and procedure.
• Other causes of skydiving deaths include ones of heath concerns. Whether it be faiting spells, blackouts or respiratory problems.

Injury is also a factor in the risks of skydiving. A broken arm or leg, sprained foot, or even a bruised ego can all be healed over time. All in all, if you do everything you're supposed to during that exhilarating 60 second drop to the ground, you'll be fine.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

After reviewing the risks involved with skydiving, most people want to know what safety precautions are taken to avoid these risks. There are a number of safety issues that skydiving schools address before your first parachute jump.

• All parachute backpacks are designed with a main chute, but a reserve chute can be opened if the main chute is DAMAGED, TWISTED or simply does not open while diving.
• If the reserve chute hasn't been used it must be inspected and repacked every 120 days by a certified parachute rigger.

These, along with the hours of safety training you receive, are just a few of the safety precautions taken before you actually jump out of the plane.

A WEE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE

The BIGGEST factor of why people are afraid of skydiving is knowledge or lack of the sport itself. In gaining information and knowledge about skydiving you become better equipped and more confident in taking your first jump.

You should know the 3 types of skydiving to best suit your level of experience.

• The TANDEM Jump is the most common first-timer's version of skydiving because you are strapped to a certified instructor who controls the jump from exit to landing. You can just enjoy the ride!
• With STATIC LINE skydiving, a cord attached from the plane to your chute pulls it open almost immediately after you jump out. You do have to land yourself, but the instuctors guide you down with a radio that is attached to you.
• In ACCELERATED FREEFALL, you pull your own ripcord and float to the ground solo. This jump is made at much higher altitudes and requires many days of training.

Choosing the most reputable and professional skydiving school will also help to ensure your safety while gaining knowledge and information.

We need not to be afraid of this adventurous activity but remind ourselves that LIFE is a managed-risk affair. Isolating ourselves from everything that could harm us would be quite boring. We could hide under the bed all day or weigh the risks and take a chance. Ultimately, the decision to skydive depends on YOU.

If you can face your worst FEAR and JUMP, just maybe you can accomplish anything. It is not what's in front of you that blocks your way, it is what's inside you that holds you back. CARPE DIEM!

SEIZE THE DAY!