Extreme sports

My name‿ is Vera. I have completed nine skydives,│ and‿ I have‿ observed that people│ who have never‿ attempted‿ it divide‿ into those│ who consider‿ it‿ irrational‿ an(d) those│ who assume‿ it‿ is merely thrill-seeking.

Neither description survives contac(t) with the sport,│ which‿ is heavily regulated rather than‿ anarchic. Equipmen(t) standards‿ are strict,│ a parachute‿ is packed by a certified professional,│ an(d) you cannot jump without certification. Risk tolerance‿ is‿ a personal variable,│ an(d) what changes with‿ experience‿ is preparation rather than fatalism. Research‿ on risk compensation‿ is‿ instructive here:│ when safety improves,│ some participants simply take greater risks,│ which means the culture‿ of‿ a spor(t) matters‿ as much‿ as‿ its‿ equipment.

I have stopped jumping for the adrenaline. What keeps me returning‿ is the psychological benefit‿ of remaining calm│ while something frightening‿ is happening,│ which‿ is‿ a transferable skill rather than‿ a hobby. Since‿ I began,│ problems‿ at work have ceased to frighten me,│ an(d) my mother's‿ anxiety is managed by honesty rather than concealment. The consequence‿ of recklessness‿ is real│ and‿ I do not pretend‿ otherwise,│ but the challenge‿ is the point‿ an(d) the danger‿ is‿ incidental. Anybody unable to distinguish between those two should begin with‿ a course rather than‿ a jump.