The Thrill of Skydiving: Everything You Need to Know About Jumping Out of a Plane

Skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline rush activity. Free falling through the air from incredible heights is a
once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. If you have ever dreamed of jumping out of an airplane, here is
everything you need to know about skydiving.

What is Skydiving?

Skydiving, also known as parachuting, is when a person jumps from an aircraft (usually a small plane or
helicopter), free falls for a period of time, and then opens a parachute to safely land on the ground. It
involves leaping from heights of 4,000 to 15,000+ feet and reaching speeds of over 120 miles per hour
while plummeting toward the earth.

Different Types of Skydives

There are a few different types of skydives for first-timers and experienced skydivers:

Tandem skydive – Harnessed to an instructor who operates the parachute. Ideal for beginners.

Accelerated freefall (AFF) – Short free fall then solo parachute open. For student training.
Static line jump – Parachute automatically opens after a few seconds of free fall.

Free fall skydive – Jump solo from plane and free fall for 30+ seconds before opening parachute. The
ultimate skydiving experience.

Skydiving Process

Skydiving with an experienced instructor guiding you is very safe. Here are the basic steps:

Training – Ground instruction on techniques for exiting the plane, free falling, and parachute
deployment.

Gear up – Suit up in a jumpsuit, goggles, altimeter and harness. Helmet and parachute are secured.

Boarding – Get on the plane with your instructor for the ride to jump altitude.

Jump – When the door opens, you and instructor link arms and leap out into pure free fall!

Free falling – Experience incredible speeds and views as you drop towards earth.

Parachute – At the right altitude, instructor will deploy the parachute. Enjoy floating to the landing zone.

Landing – Use techniques to properly touch down on the ground. Congrats, you skydived!
Finding a Skydiving Center

Look for a professional skydiving operation near you to have the best first experience. Here’s what to
look for:

Reviews – Search online reviews to ensure safety reputation and professional instructors.

Experience – Look for USPA certified instructors with 500+ jumps minimum.

Facilities – Ensure adequate runway length for planes and designated landing areas.

Options – Find a center that offers tandem and AFF for all skill levels. Video and photos of jumps are a
nice bonus.

Credentials – The center should be licensed and all instructors fully certified.
Vibe – Get a feel for the overall environment and friendliness of staff. You want supportive experts.

Skydiving Safety

Is skydiving dangerous? While accidents can happen, skydiving has an excellent safety record when done
at reputable centers. USPA reports an average of 35 fatalities per year out of approx. 3.3 million jumps.
You’re more likely to get injured driving to the drop zone than skydiving itself. Some tips:

Screen centers thoroughly

Ensure you are physically and mentally ready

Listen carefully to instructor guidelines

Perform harness checks before jumping

Deploy parachute at correct altitude

Prepare for proper landing

Skydivers-freefall

Physical Requirements

Skydiving does require some physical fitness to have the best experience. Having strength and stamina
can improve control and reduce risk of injuries. Here are the basic requirements:

Ability to lift and wear the parachute (avg 30 lbs)

Enough upper body strength to properly steer parachute

Ability to hold the proper body position during free fall

Good stamina to endure the intense experience

Ability to make any needed corrections during descent

Fit enough for a potentially hard landing

Let your instructor know ahead of time about any medical conditions, injuries, or limitations so they can
accommodate.

Is Skydiving Scary?

It’s natural to be a little scared before skydiving! Jumping out of an airplane goes against human
instincts, after all. Here are some tips for managing fear:
Thorough training eases nerves. You’ll know exactly what to expect.

Breathe deep and relax rather than tensing up.

Focus on the view and enjoying the experience.

Trust your skilled instructor to guide you through safely.

Be proud of yourself for trying something daring and adventurous.

Consider the thrill rather than just the fear itself.

Once you make that leap out the door, the rush takes over!

Skydiving is Exhilarating!

Talk about an adrenaline surge! Free falling at 120+ mph before gliding gently under canopy is the
ultimate thrill. Skydiving offers a weightless sensation and views you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll join
an enthusiastic community of skydivers always seeking that next adrenaline fix.

Ready to feel the rush of plummeting from incredible heights? Find a reputable skydiving center near
you and sign up for a tandem jump to check skydiving off your bucket list!