Good vision is essential for skydivers

Alice Ellamik has been a passionate skydiver for ten years. Given the risks associated with skydiving, she knows how crucial perfect vision is. “The better you can identify your location in both freefall and when gliding with the parachute, the safer the skydive,” tells Alice. 

Skydiving is cool! Alice certainly agrees with that. She did her first skydive in 2004 and since then she has been an active member of the Estonian Skydiving Club, both in the air as a skydiver and on the ground as an assistant. Alice admits that she is addicted to skydiving – despite the small danger, it is a sport that offers an adrenaline rush, incredible speed and an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone.

Drama in the air

Alice on langevarjuhüppeid korduvalt hüpanud, kuid kõige meeldejäävam neist oli tema 30. hüpe, kuna ta pidi kasutama tagavaralangevarju. "Pärast põnevat vabalangemist tundsin langevarju avanemist, kuid siis märkasin kimpu, mis hakkas mind õhus keerutama," kirjeldab Alice oma pöörast kogemust. Õnneks oli ta läbinud mitmeid treeninguid ja harjutusi, mis aitasid tal sellises ootamatus olukorras ratsionaalselt tegutseda. «Vabastasin end kiiresti vigasest langevarjust ja tõmbasin tagavarju lahti. Alles siis, kui olin turvaliselt tagasi maa peal, taipasin, kui ohtlik olukord oli. Mu jalad värisesid pärast seda tunde," mäletab Alice.

Kogemus ei olnud hirmutav, kuid see on väga harv juhtum. Alice'il pole probleeme olnud ühegi teise langevarjuhüppega. Nüüd, kus ta on murdumisveast vabanenud ja näeb suurepäraselt, on tema valitud spordiala veelgi nauditavam. «Kajuvarjuhüppeid saab teha nii prillide kui ka kontaktläätsedega, kuna kõik peavad kandma kaitseprille. Suure kiiruse tõttu võivad nad aga õhus olles ootamatult nihkuda," räägib Alice ja lisab, et mõned inimesed on langevarjuhüppe ajal kaotanud kontaktläätsed.

Great vision in the sky and underwater

“With blurry vision it is hard to steer yourself safely and softly to the landing spot,” Alice says, highlighting the importance of good eyesight for skydivers.

Alice has lived without eyeglasses and contact lenses for two months now. “I really enjoy driving at night now as my vision is clear – the difference is remarkable!,” she tells with great excitement.

Alice also enjoys being able to dive into the water without glasses and seeing the underwater world clearly with her own eyes.