Skydiving

I’m planning on going skydiving in Sioux Falls next week, and I can already feel the adrenaline rushing through me! 😍

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.

silentowl74 said:I’m starting this thread here because it feels like the right crowd—people who might actually have some skydiving experience or at least a decent grasp of anatomy.

I’ve run into a little dilemma, and I’d be so grateful if anyone could share their insight or expertise. I’m not trying to play doctor, obviously, and I fully intend to follow medical advice, but my GP is the only one available right now since my orthopedist is booked out for months. Waiting half a year for a second opinion just isn't an option for me...

So, I was planning on going skydiving, and it never even crossed my mind that my old knee injury might make things complicated. About ten years ago, I tore my meniscus—had arthroscopic surgery, maybe some injections too, nothing too crazy. Since then, I’ve dealt with occasional patellar dislocations. My orthopedist basically told me: if you aren't playing pro sports, you don't need another surgery; just avoid activities that trigger the dislocation (so, stick to the gym with caution), or just live your life and accept that this annoying thing will always be part of the deal. He gave me a "fake" follow-up appointment because he could tell I had no intention of sitting on the sidelines for the rest of my life! I know there's a difference between someone who's been an athlete since childhood and someone who just stays active recreationally, but I've been involved in some kind of sport since preschool, even if injuries kept me from going all out. For the last year, I've been hitting the gym pretty consistently with decent results, and my bike is basically my primary way of getting around...

Anyway, that's the quick rundown of my situation. Here is what I'm wondering:

1. Has anyone here actually gone skydiving? If so, can you describe the force you feel during that "rebound" when the cord pulls you back up? I reached out to some jump organizers, and they told me the impact on your legs is roughly the same as jumping off a one-foot ledge.

And a question for those who might know more about sports injuries and general physical health:

2. Is there a real risk of my knee popping out during the jump? Based on your intuition, would you recommend I go ahead with it? Why or why not?

I would be incredibly thankful if anyone could answer even just the first question! Any experience at all helps. I posted this in this sub-forum because the "other sports" section doesn't seem to have the same active vibe... 😉 Just to reiterate, I am absolutely going to follow my doctor's lead, but I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether you're telling me to go for it or encouraging me to stay away... 😬 I'm honestly feeling a bit desperate about this...

I've done it three times, and there were no sudden jolts... I see you mentioned you're hitting the gym and cycling, so I really don't think it should be an issue.

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.

Does anyone know where I can go skydiving in the States?

Maybe somewhere near Sioux Falls? Or near Maslenica? How about over by the Key West Bridge?

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'm just wondering how much skydiving costs and when the season starts over by the Sioux Falls Bridge and Maslenica? I saw something online saying July 1st through August 31st, 2015, but does that happen every year?

Does anyone happen to have any info on whether people actually go skydiving off a bridge, maybe somewhere in California or out on the coast near a big bay?