the only way to lessen you chance of getting mangled is to not go big at all.  Wearing a helmet and other padding is all good, but it the worst happens won't stop you from breaking an arm, leg or other vital part of your body.  i personally wouldn't consider a 540 spin a huge big air trick, but it's all a matter of how you look at it.  Your job obviously isn't that great if it doesn't offer health insurance and that it won't be waiting there for you when you get back from collecting unemployment and other government aid while you heal up.  I would suggest shopping around for some good cheap health insurance that way if you do have a bad fall your bills will still get paid.  It is a perfectly normal worry for most people to think about supporting themselves.  I personally don't worry about getting hurt and therefore I am down and hurt most of the time.  You just have to look at your life and work out what risks you are willing to take and not willing to take on your own. Like I said health insurance would be a good investment and will help you decide to take more risks.  Oh and also if you are thinking about getting hurt before you are even doing something that is a piss poor attitude.  Negativity won't help you progress.  Thomas the Tank Engine had it right "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....."

P.S. stop being a pussy.  a job is just a job, there are more of them out there.  If you just go through life surviving(work to live) then you miss so many great opportunities.  That's just my own personal philosophy and may not work for you though.

take out a insurance policy so hat if you get hurt you will get paid %100 of your wages.

Take a few shots of rum before you go big.  Then you wont worry about hurting yourself.  The alcohol should get you nice and loose so you can throw down a big spin and land it like a champ.  Hahaha but I've been known to give bad advice so drink of my poison wisely ;)

Aflac accident insurance its like 10 to 20 bucks a month but covers you if injured in an accident for up to 30 grand.  This is a payment that lets you decide how you pay the bills they don't pay them.  I'd recommend that and just keep doing what you're doing I broke my hand last year closing day at breck and just said fuck it and never went to the doctor.

insurance for sure. that ought to put your mind at ease.

Posted by JJ_Mac

Hey All,

 

So I am thinking about this riding season, and what my goals are this year, then it hit me. This season will be my 4th which means its about time i stepped it up a little bit. But, at the same time, i have a job to worry about, because without it, i am broke, homeless, and most imnportantly, can't ride. If i go down hard, that could screw me. Anyone got any ways to still go big (looking at 540+ spins, bigger rails this year) and keep from getting too mangled to go to work the next day?

 

(And the first person who says something to the effect of "Then don't suck and don't go down" is getting a virtual smack in the head...)

Start small and work your way up in baby steps.

Listen to your body.

Don't try new &/or hard stuff when you are tired.

Make sure you are learning new stuff on well made/maintained terrain (in the park).

Possibly look into a lesson, depending on where you are.

--rick

www.SnowProfessor.com

If you are really that concerned, take out some kind of huge insurance plan that will cover you near lifetime if need be.

I work in a rehab facility that sees every kind of spinal injury that results in loss of walking functions. Ive seen people get para or quad from falling off of trampolines, bunk beds, high diving, car accidents, untrained friends attempting chiro, etc etc.

Since working here I have taken up snowboarding and riding a motorcycle.

Life is too short not to try anything, but the point is to learn at your own pace.

A lot of pros don;t get big injuries until they reach the pro level. They learned at their pace and progression.

So, dial in a trick before you decide to go bigger and badder, or else you just get broke.

Are you really injury prone or something, or do you just tend to worry a lot?

Its simple. When u decide you gonna go for it, go at it a 100%. The second u hesitate.. u could very well be in trouble. I would also invest in pads, wrist. Impact shorts.(sixsixone) makes an ill pair of impacts. 

bein a ski bum is always a possibility

get gilbert godfrieds quacking ducks insurance, drink a 5th or two, depending on personal tolorance, and have at it

Posted by thomz

Then don't suck and don't go down (sorry you asked for it ;) )

 

anyway, no pain no game I guess.

 

 

The phrase is "no pain, no GAIN"

 

Dont do it man...I just broke my foot and im out of work and might lose my job and still facing the possibility of surgery.  I wish I didnt take the risk of stepping it up.  It sucks.  I'll def be mellowing out after this experience.

If everyone had the same attitude as you "extremo" the world would be a pretty bland place... you gotta go big, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward... baby steps=crucial

The bigger the pain, the bigger the hospital bill.
[Edited by legallyillegal on 11/25/2008 at 10:27 AM]

Posted by legallyillegal
The bigger the pain, the bigger the hospital bill.

Wow your femur is sticking through your ribs, hardcore man!

[Edited by legallyillegal on 11/25/2008 at 10:27 AM]

Yeah the hot nurses are gonna be all over you.

[Edited by JJ_Mac on 12/2/2008 at 4:57 AM]

This is where i'm at. i work full time. but i moved to MT. st. louis Moonstone one of the top three parks in canada.  this is what i moved for.  my cure was.  your job is the reason you will land the trick.

I always take a breath and find something that makes me relaxed, what ever it be for you, then start your run with that thought left at the top of the hill.
when i became aware that i had to land my tricks more i found i was getting incredibly better, bigger and faster tricks rather than pussy footing around tricks like i used to.  because landing it first try is better than calling in sick for a month

so try that.  i was very impressed with how much better i got with just threatening myself that i have to go to work on monday

peace!!!

That's an awesome theory. Has it backfired yet? (Just curious)