Product Description
To jump or not to jump--this book answers the question!Here's just the thing for anyone who has ever toyed with the idea of skydiving and wants to know more before deciding if the sport is right for them.Writing for those with no real skydiving knowledge, the author provides a complete overview of the sport, discussing the thrill, the risk, the basics, jump training, safety training, the cost, the time, where to go, what to do, questions to ask, and much more.THE book to read before enrolling in a skydiving class.

* Explains the types of skydiving: Tandem, Accelerated Freefall, and Static Line
* Tells how to go about selecting a school or training program
* Provides a series of questions to ask when comparing skydiving centers by telephone
* Includes Frequently Asked Questions
* Beautiful 8-page color insert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A Thorough Introduction To The Sport.
Tom truly enjoys instructing skydiving. It shows loud & clear in his book. He gives a broad overview of the sport. Designed for someone contemplating their first jump. He provides more than enough information. His personable approach doesn't talk over your head. His ratings show he could dazzle us w/technical acumen. That's not teaching though, & he knows it. For all practical purposes, he has a PhD in skydiving. Yet, he loves teaching us lowly Newbies. That's a rare individual, & an asset to the sport. One fact I would like to personally thank him for including: The four clips on a tandem harness, can each support the jumper's weight in an emergency. I trust heavily sewn nylon webbing far more than I trust metal hardware. Metal can fatigue, & break (usually @the worst time). I didn't trust that harness when I jumped. If I got nothing more from this book than the previous pearl. I got my money's worth. I got much more than that. When I'm finishing my license next Summer. I'll be much more comfortable because of this book. Thank's Tom.

Great Overview
Everything from medical issues to types of jump aircraft used. You can't get any better than this! The book looks at a lot of issues involved in skydiving and parachuting. I don't know if I'll ever make that first jump myself but this book will definitely be a factor in making that decision.

Flaw in Tandem rig
It's a good book, but needs to be more explicit about the risks
assumed by first time students, especially the 'safer' tandem
dive.

I was determined to make my first tandem jump next summer,
but then I checked the USPA's online accident report and
learned that during the summer of 2007 two first time tandem
students died when they slipped out of their harness during
the jolt of chute deployment and fell. The opening shock jolt
made their bodies do a pike position and they just slid right
out.

Now I wouldn't go within a mile of a drop zone; especially because
this major design flaw in the tandem harness rig should be
corrected; why isn't this a a top priority for their
design engineers? A couple of strategically placed reinforced loops
in the jumpsuit itself, or an inverted Y strap connecting the chest
and leg straps. A wedgie is a small price to pay for the extra safety.
I've seen many pictures in Photobucket or Image shack of Tandem
students dangling so precariously their heads are practically at
their instructors waist. It's crazy.

I was prepared to overlook the infamous liability waivers and insurance
exclusions, but this is too much. I felt sick when I read it.

Please look at the UPSA's online site of accident reports before
doing this, and warn anyone you think might be contemplating it
to get all of the facts first.

JUMP!
Bought this book after my 3rd jump, so most of the info wasn't new to me, although book had some interesting topics that weren't discussed during my AFF class.This is an excellent book for somebody with 0-1 jumps; anybody with more than that would benefit from a book that focused more on safety training and "tips" or advice.But good starter book none-the-less.

Great book for first time jumpers
This is a first rate for book for getting a general overview on skydiving. It is primarily geared toward first time and less experienced jumpers. Mr. Buchanan writes in a very easy readable style. He covers the major areas involved in skydiving ranging from the parachute equipment, the types of planes used, the type of training and instructors available and how to pick the right drop zone for your jump.

There are also chapters on risks and overcoming the fear of jumping. Buchanan does not sugar coat the dangers of skydiving. However, he does go into detail on ways to avoid the risks. He points out what someone should look for and the right questions to ask when contemplating your first jump.

Particularly helpful are the FAQ, at the end of the book which covers most major questions a first time jumper would have about the sport, and the glossary which helps with all the abbreviations and specific terms used in skydiving.

But most of all throughout the entire book Buchanan conveys the shear joy, fun, excitement and enthusiasm that he has for the sport.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good intro for young readers
This is a good intro to the sport of skydiving for, say middle-school and younger kids. The pix and graphics are very cool and the writing is accessible. For adults and more advanced readers, I would highly recommenda book like Dan Poynter & Mark Turoff's "The Skydiver'sHandbook." Poynter's book is really a must read if you're ready totake up the sport seriously. (Not that you have to read a book to do it, ofcourse.) This subject doesn't seem to have many books available for somereason. I'd like to read a first-person account from some of the s-dpioneers.

Title should be:A Child's Guide to Skydiving
I was hoping for something a bit more substantial. This book is very short and very basic and does not really give you much in the way of useful info. For what you get, the book is very overpriced. If you only want to knowwhat skydiving is then this book will tell you, otherwise I cannotrecommend buying this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a peak performance handbook--for individuals and teams--for skydivers and non-skydivers alike.It’s a "how to" book that teaches practical methods and techniques for designing realistic plans to achieve goals.Best of all it's filled with creative and innovative mental training tools that are simple to use and can be applied immediately.John DeRosalia is a master at motivation and performance enhancement.He’s been training the ‘best of the best’ both in and out of skydiving for over a quarter of a century.The 2 chapters on teamwork alone are invaluable.The chapter Video Games—the Creative use of Visualization and Imagery, is ingenious, extremely effective, and lots offun.The chapter on Performance Anxiety can make a difference immediately.This book is an exhilarating experience.It can change your life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Fills hard to find niche
If you are a competitive skydiver, it's worth picking up.However, there are better books for non-skydivers, like "The Pursuit of Excellence"

Gave me the confidence to rock through AFF...
Using this book and some other training I was able to gain the tools needed to finish my AFF and do it in style.After failing my level 4 I needed a boost.After reading this and realizing that a lot of what I was going through was normal, and getting my mind in check, I went out and nailed the rest.I've got 12 jumps now and gaining more confidence all the time.Thanks John!!

Bill K.

Not just for Skydivers
Excellent book.Applies to all parts of life, not just sports performance.Gives the best explanation of how your thoughts impact your performance that I have ever read.

ESPECIALLY For Skydivers-and other athletes too
If you are serious about your skydiving, you must get a hold of this book.I'm sure you heard, or read Jack Jeffries' review of this book, he's right.Skydiving, as are other sports, is a mental game.MORE so than other sports because we only have about a minute of "pratice" time, each time we go up.That is important to remember.The author explains simply the techniques and exercises he uses and teaches to fly with proficiency.You'll breeze through it with his plucky attitude, and personal stories that relate to the ideas he teaches you.You won't be disappointed!And like the title says, it will help you in life as well.Mental training is where it's at.Get into the zone and WIN competitions!

Mental training for skydiving and life
I have been a Parachute Instructor for 38 years and I recomend the book to all my students. ... Read more

Product Description
Jump into Naked Skydiving, a surreal yet lucid Rorschach pattern about the life of a professional dream interpreter in the CaliforniaÂ’s, just before the beginning of the 21st Century.

Customer Reviews (3)

That's the magic words!
Naked Skydiving, that's the magic words!

Eloquently Written
Naked Skydiving is a novel that is really eloquently written stand up comedy on the page.

Naked Skydiving
"Naked Skydiving is rich with names and colors." ... Read more

Product Description
A DRM free eBook.

What is Skydiving?
Skydiving History
Skydiving – How It All Began
So You Want to Learn Skydiving?
The Roots of Modern Skydiving
The Truth About Skydiving
FAQ’s About Skydiving
What I Need to Know About Skydiving
Things You Might Want to Ask About Skydiving
Not for the Faint Hearted
Skydiving for Beginners
Skydiving: Safe as it Sounds
How to Enjoy Skydiving
Skydiving Myth Busters
What You Really Need to Know About Skydiving
Skydiving Varieties
Skydiving Equipment
Gearing Up for Skydiving
Skydiving Gears
Skydiving Suits That You Can Use
Skydiving Schools and What you Should Know
Skydiving in the Military
Skydiving Into a Hot Zone
What to see in Skydiving Magazine
Wind Tunnel Skydiving
... Read more

Product Description
Under browse information, use only these three:sports>miscellaneous>air sports and recreation>skydivinghealth, mind & body>death & grief>generalbiographies & memoirs> memoirs ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

When bad things happen to writers' families....
....they write books about it.And the whole world gets to hear about it.The author has the ever-more-popular view that if her adult son was killed while voluntarily engaging in a sport with risk, someone else must be to blame, and laws should be made restricting the sport.Maybe now we'll have a "Jim's Law."

The back cover of the book states that the author was "blinded by grief." Clearly.

A Sobering read
kellytwo, your review was excellent, but the first two reviewers
who stated that Jim Craig was solely responsible for his accident
are mistaken.

Craig was in radio contact with his instructor and she told him to
turn into the wind even though he was at low altitude (below 200
feet). Professor Melbourne quotes a leading authority who wrote
"landing downwind is far less dangerous than expecting a novice
to turn accurately at low altitudes."

Drop centers and equipment manufacturers should accept some minimal
sort of accountability. As it stands now they can put a bologna
sandwich in the rig instead of a parachute and be free from any
liability! And what about that drop center owner who was convicted
or criminally negligent homicide (for using equipment recalled as
defective by its own maker) who opened up a new drop zone the day
after getting out of prison? That's unconscionable. And the
reporting of accidents, fatal and otherwise, being voluntary???
That's madness.

Some friends of mine who own a cherry orchard mentioned in their
commercial that some studies show cherries possess anti-inflamatory
properties that ease arthritis pain. Well, the FDA swooped down on
them like Ninjas and made them pull the ad because it was misleading.
I wish the FAA were as relentless in protecting consumers.

Also, veteran skydiver Tom Buchanan makes many of these same
objections in his book Jump! I was considering doing one tandem
jump next summer but I was very disillusioned by this book.
I could hardly believe it when the 'Safety Inspector' at the
school where Jim Craig died said to her, when she came out to ask
about the accident,"All the newspaper coverage has really hurt my
business; I've never seen so few people here on a weekend." Such
gall is horrifying.

As for the butterfly on the cover, that relates to an incident
shared in the book, where Melbourne found a wounded butterfly on
her porch and it comforted her. Considering the 'comfort' offered
by other humans^ ^ ^ who can blame her for turning to insects
for solace?

Again, kellytwo, wonderful review.

Glaring Inaccuracies
I read a borrowed copy of this book and am glad that I didnt spend my money on this. It is filled with emotion and not facts. Every year there are half a million or so people who make their first skydive (tandem or otherwise) and if this sport was truly as dangerous as this book would like you to believe we would have half a million people dead every year. Seriously, spend your money elsewhere if you are looking for a fictional / emotional rendering of reality.

misleading woman
This book is filled with inaccuracies (laughable inaccuracies to most skydivers), and she seems to not want to admit that her son was responsible for the accident that caused his death.


Some of the more choice things from the book:

- She thinks that waivers should not be allowed or mean anything.
- She thinks there is much money in skydiving instruction.
- She think the FAA "protects" skydiving.
- She thinks skydivers are egotistical because they defend skydiving.
- She mentioned that Parachutist showed pictures of skydivers "jumping barefoot, jumping without helmets, ... jumping head first". (My gosh, you mean that dangerous head-down flying!)

The front cover has a picture of a butterfly. (Yawn...)

Appendices include:

- The MSPC waiver
- The MAC/FAA report
- The statement from the MSPC staff

An excerpt from the back cover:

" A true story.... The book to read before you or someone you love tries skydiving."

Biased and singleminded
It is a real shame that this book was written at all, or indeed had to be written.
Whilst everyone obviously feels for Mrs Melbournes loss the inacuracies and blindness in the fact of the facts make this book a waste of time and sections of it a work of fiction.
three key things.
Facts.
Facts.
Facts.
The only person to blame for this accident is, unfortunatly, her son. No-body else.
Shame but there we go.
If you have ANY interest in Skydiving, really, do yourself a favour and give this a miss.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Skydiving in the early 60's
I ordered and read this book when it was first published in the very early 60's.It is a very good book.
At the time it was a fine introduction to the sport and the equipment.Nowadays it provides a fine
historical look back. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the sport of skydiving, including its equipment, competitions, and safety information. ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 6 to 12 years. Not so long ago, a surfboard in the sky was the stuff of comic book fantasy. Today, extreme athletes surf the air with ease. "Extreme Sky Sports" features such high-velocity sports as sky surfing and skydiving. Kids will get their hair blown back by brilliant aerial photos of sky surfers and divers in action, as clear concise text explores: the history and techniques of these young, thrilling sports; expert sky-surf tricks; stars and legends of the sport; the designs and function of the equipment; how to stay safe in these daring sports. ... Read more

Product Description
1978 children's book explains the art of skydiving. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduces the techniques of skydiving and describes the equipment necessary for this sport. ... Read more