Posts by silentowl74

They have skydiving at Maslenica and the Sioux Falls Bridge; I'm not sure about Key West, but there's also some action at Zrće, though I'm curious what your take is on paying $133 for a platform jump.

As someone whose knees tend to give out from one wrong move, I’m checking in to say I survived the jump 😬 I didn't consult a doctor (maybe I was just being young and reckless, but honestly, I don't think anything he said would have stopped me); I just read up on common injuries and watched videos of people doing it. The feeling—everything is great until you hit that platform and your head starts spinning: there's no backing out because they won't refund you, plus I told everyone I was actually going to do it (which is probably the worst part since I refuse to be a poser), and then there's the "what on earth am I doing" moment (until I remember my motivation) = okay, you just jump and try to minimize the drama of standing on the edge. I wasn't overly worried before; if they handle the gear professionally, it should be fine, but naturally, jumping off a bridge edge is terrifying. And then, just a few quick hops. I think during those one or two seconds of freefall, I forgot to breathe entirely until I felt the rope catch me and then—woooohooo, I'm alive! 😁

It's a blast, shame it's so brief 🙂 Hmm, maybe I'd suggest stretching before the jump; I only stretched my legs, but my abs were killing me the next day, likely because the pendulum was swinging me all over the place 😬

If you are absolutely certain you want to do this, go for it. But if you are hesitating even slightly or just doing it for the clout (you know, when you aren't really an "adrenaline junkie" type) and the mere thought of it scares you, then don't—you'll probably just end up feeling miserable up there.

I share that hope, though my family has been busy scaring me with stories about potential knee injuries, which honestly feels just as dramatic as those horror stories people tell about folks who almost choked themselves out but somehow pulled through. 🙂 I can’t even begin to wrap my head around how they compared my strength to theirs, especially since I wasn't even in the same position during the jump and felt that extra pull, because if I were actually attempting a landing, it would have been absolutely critical.

I am starting this thread because I suspect this group contains individuals who likely have experience with skydiving and a solid grasp of human anatomy.

I currently have a bit of a dilemma and would be grateful if anyone could weigh in based on their own expertise or personal history. I’m certainly not being reckless—I intend to consult a medical professional—but my primary care physician is my only immediate option. My orthopedic surgeon isn't available right now, and booking an appointment with someone else would mean waiting six months, which isn't feasible.

I had planned on going skydiving without ever considering that my problematic knee might complicate things. About ten years ago, I suffered a meniscus tear; I went through arthroscopy and some injections, though those aren't overly invasive procedures. Since then, I’ve dealt with occasional patellar dislocations. My orthopedic surgeon’s advice regarding sports was straightforward: unless I plan to go pro, surgery isn't necessary. He suggested that if the dislocations bother me, I should just avoid activities that trigger them (meaning sticking to the gym with extreme caution), or simply live my life knowing this issue will always be lurking in the background. I gave him a hypothetical "maybe later" regarding surgery because I have no intention of sitting on the sidelines for the rest of my life. I realize there is a difference between lifelong athletes and those of us who just dabble, but I've been involved in some form of recreational sport since I was a toddler, even if injuries kept me from pursuing anything intense. For the past year, I’ve been hitting the gym consistently with decent results, and cycling is practically my only mode of transportation.

So, that is the short version of my situation. Here is what I am actually looking to find out:

1. Has anyone here actually gone skydiving? If so, could you describe the force you felt during the "rebound" when the cord pulls you back up? I reached out to some organizers, and they claimed the force exerted on your legs is roughly equivalent to jumping off a one-meter ledge.

Also, a question for those who might have more specialized knowledge regarding sports injuries and general physical health:

2. Is there a genuine risk of my knee dislocating during the jump? Based on your assessment, would you recommend I go ahead with it? (And please explain why).

I would be incredibly appreciative if anyone could answer even just the first question! Any insight into the sensation of the jump would help. I chose this specific subforum because the "other sports" section doesn't seem to attract the active crowd I'm looking for. 😉 To reiterate, I will follow my doctor's guidance, but I welcome your perspectives—whether you are warning me off or encouraging me to take the leap. 😬 Honestly, I am quite anxious about this.

Something along these lines PDP? Ah, you Americans...

One guy actually admitted he felt embarrassed to introduce me to his friends because I was so much younger than everyone else. It wasn't until six months into our relationship that the introduction finally happened, and naturally, I spent the whole time feeling completely insecure, wondering if I even belonged in his social circle. 🙄 He confessed this to me after I’d had a few drinks. Honestly, we were both a complete mess; he used "love" as an excuse to let me get away with almost anything, while he was clearly drawn to my own chaotic nature, trying to buy my forgiveness through affection. I suppose I’m just one more entry in the book of toxic exes.

silentjackal52 said:So, does one mess just find another mess?🤷

I am hardly an expert on the intricacies of human psychology, nor could I offer a clinical breakdown of behavioral patterns, but from what I have observed, it seems that broken people tend to gravitate toward one another. I don't view excessive egocentrism as a positive trait; rather, it often manifests as a way to subjugate a partner simply to validate one's own sense of importance and necessity.

Regarding my own observations, we were discussing the nature of an egocentric individual rather than someone who simply felt indifferent and detached while seeking out those of a similar disposition.

I have observed that this supposed "attraction to broken people" is primarily a tactic employed by those seeking to bolster their own fragile egos; specifically, individuals brimming with a self-assuredness that borders on narcissism, who attempt to cast themselves as "heroes" by attempting to fix someone else. It is essentially a way for them to cultivate a sense of moral superiority, playing the part of the "savior." Naturally, this occurs only after they have established a baseline of physical or perhaps even intellectual interest, but once they identify someone as "damaged goods"—a term frequently tossed around here—they pivot toward caring for those in even deeper trouble just to feel more accomplished.