Are you scared of heights?

[sybian]

Sometimes yes.
In my younger days I walked my share of wood framing and high steel assemblies- usually while packing materials as well, without fall protection. It wasn't usually a problem. Now- not so much fun. Especially 36' extension ladders leaning up against parapets- vey uncomfortable.
But also- and this is fucking warped- sometimes when I look out of hi-rise windows, or am at a roof's edge and such, I get this subtle "urge" to leap out.
I've mentioned it to some others, and seems this is not uncommon.
Go figure.

You will find out in the first few moments ,that you can't fly....
I've done some repelling from helicopters in my lifetime, and I don't have a problem with it.....until some turbulence comes up and the helo will dip.
When that happens you have a moment of weightlessness ....and you think you caribiner has snapped.
I've never got used to that split second sensation .

 

[bdan]

Oh Gawd!
I forgot about hi-rises!
I remember visiting an Sp who lived on, like, the 15 or 17th floor. She had a teeny balcony.

I stepped out onto it, looked over and immediately pinned my back against the wall.
Then sidled back over to the doorway as nonchalantly as possible.

I doubt very much I fooled her when she inquired if I was okay.

 

[FreeG]

One hand for the load (what you're carrying), one hand for yourself - always! (how you apply that to bed-time with others is up to you!)

I don't find myself scared of heights, but definitely respectful and unwilling to tempt fate. The young yahoo's who climb bridges, towers and skyscrapers are just asking for it. And in the case of one young fellow (in HK I think?), fate answered...in a bad way! He hung himself over the edge of a high-rise, couldn't get back up and his fingers slipped. There was video of him struggling before he fell but I didn't watch it - I've no interest in any of those real-life 'dying/death' videos.

Likewise, I could never do what Alex Honnold (the guy in the above video) does - I might consider climbing with ropes, clips, etc, but free like that? Just not worth it. Same with skydiving - the repercussions from almost any issue, even if the probability is low, is death. So, in math terms: Likely severity of accident (certain Death) X Probability of accident (anything > 0) = Nope. There are so many other pursuits where the severity is almost never death!

 

[westwoody]

It's funny how you can feel uneasy on a ladder or rooftop, but look out an airliner window six miles up and you feel nothing.

 

[storm rider]

It's funny how you can feel uneasy on a ladder or rooftop, but look out an airliner window six miles up and you feel nothing.

There are 2 flaws to your statement and I will point them out.First off #1 is being on a high ladder that is precarious and if an idiot is in charge of securing the base of that ladder you are FUCKED.On with #2 and that is the "roof"....being on top of a house can also be just as bad with regards to "heights".....whilst I personally dont get scared of "heights" whilst being on the roof of my house I do get a bit anxious about going up a ladder to get to the actual roof.

With regards to aircraft travel it is a no brainer.....unless you are seated next to a total asshole who knows of your fear of heights and says as you depart with sadistic glee "we are taking off now....LOOK OUT WINDOW" then aircraft travel is just fine....just pull down the shade and trust that the 70,000 ton jet liner will do what it is supposed to do.....if it dont then you get a very expensive funeral.

SR

 

[sybian]

There are 2 flaws to your statement and I will point them out.First off #1 is being on a high ladder that is precarious and if an idiot is in charge of securing the base of that ladder you are FUCKED.On with #2 and that is the "roof"....being on top of a house can also be just as bad with regards to "heights".....whilst I personally dont get scared of "heights" whilst being on the roof of my house I do get a bit anxious about going up a ladder to get to the actual roof.

With regards to aircraft travel it is a no brainer.....unless you are seated next to a total asshole who knows of your fear of heights and says as you depart with sadistic glee "we are taking off now....LOOK OUT WINDOW" then aircraft travel is just fine....just pull down the shade and trust that the 70,000 ton jet liner will do what it is supposed to do.....if it dont then you get a very expensive funeral.

SR

Storm i always knew you didn't have a fear of heights....rooftops are a great place to have a conversation ...with politicians.

 

[Mrmotorscooter]

I worked at heights for many years, at first it was difficult but it had to be done I used to talk to myself to stay calm and focused. It's all a matter of perspective you have to learn to focus on your surroundings and ignore the depth below you. It was easier in those days as we'd hit the bar and pound a couple, never a problem after that. As the years go by you don't even notice anymore, just another job.

 

[MissingOne]

I have no trouble scrambling around on cliffs, sometimes with ropes but mostly without. However, man-made heights do make me nervous. I hated the Eiffel Tower; couldn't get off it fast enough. There's nothing logical about it. It's just animal reaction.

 

[theimp]

I love to be terrified. Love pushing limits to the edge. I used to free hand rock climb and adored the rush it provided, until a rather nasty car accident( got run over ) put the kibosh on that pastime. However, show me a needle and I will start to shake, bring it close to me and get ready to catch me, because I am going down. My only true and uncontrollable phobia.

 

[Addison Cortez]

I love to be terrified. Love pushing limits to the edge. I used to free hand rock climb and adored the rush it provided, until a rather nasty car accident( got run over ) put the kibosh on that pastime. However, show me a needle and I will start to shake, bring it close to me and get ready to catch me, because I am going down. My only true and uncontrollable phobia.

I am the same way....

which makes me question if my fear of heights is an actual fear rather than a simple vulnerability......can I blame the vertigo on being far sighted?

 

[Dawn2Dusk]

Not a big fan of heights but I can deal with them alright. It really depends on the circumstance. I've been bungee jumping and sky diving numerous times and really enjoy that experience.

I also work as a carpenter and have been on scaffold 20 feet up wishing I wasn't

 

[sybian]

Not a big fan of heights but I can deal with them alright. It really depends on the circumstance. I've been bungee jumping and sky diving numerous times and really enjoy that experience.

I also work as a carpenter and have been on scaffold 20 feet up wishing I wasn't

Yeah and if they have wheels, and your on top while being moved....it's funny how you can find that death grip on any little crack ,in a otherwise smooth building.

 

[iluvhookers]

Acrophobia reminds me of Vanilla Sky.

 

[Sphubby]

Worked for 20 yrs as a building restoration guy, almost the entire time on swing stage or bosom chair. Most of the time in TO on high rise buildings including TD towers 75 stores and up hanging by a wire rope smaller than your pinky finger. Pay was good, view was awesome. Always had to be keeping an eye on weather. Bad place to be caught unaware if a wind storm came in fast.

The fall doesn't hurt, the sudden stop at bottom does. Also did some church steeple work early in my career that was impossible to use fall protection for. Was a thrill hanging from hard to get spots. Also thought the looks of terror from others was fun doing risky shit. Now you couldn't pay me enough to do it. Young and dumb. Luckily I made it to my maturity alive.

 

[Abbott_]

funny feeling

I get a funny feeling flipping-on a light switch. :lever:

http://air2.com/

 

[bdan]

I know a guy who is a BC Hydro lineman. He told me that when he was doing work on transmission towers he went up in a chopper but couldn't be hooked on to both at the same time. So for the time it took him to unhook to the chopper and hook to the tower he was balancing on the skid AND the tower.

Uhhh NO! Just NO!

 

[Muffdiver69]

i am not afraid of heights. I am from Toronto so been up the CN Tower many times. There is a spot up there where it is just a sheet of glass that you can stand on and look straight down.
But now that i am in Vancouver i do not like high buildings. Something about being 20+ stories up in an earth quake zone. No thanks.