How does one learn to skydive?

There are several different methods of training you can take in order to learn to skydive. They are: Static Line Accelerated Freefall, or Tandem . They are described below in greater detail. However, not all drop zones offer all these options, so you should ask the DZ which type(s) of training they provide.

It is your safety at stake and your responsibility to look after it. If you have reservations about making your first jump, make the effort to visit the DZ, check it out, meet the people and staff. They will be glad to see you, and you will be much more confident and comfortable having done so, and consequently have a much better time!

What are the age requirements?

18 and up. So, if you are under 18, you will just have to wait; take up some odd jobs, and start saving your money. :)

On the other side, there is no maximum age. See the following question to determine if skydiving is appropriate for you.

What are the physical requirements?

In general, the prospective student should be in reasonably good physical shape, this is a sport after all. You will be required wear around 25 lbs of equipment, endure opening shock, maneuver the canopy, land, and possibly trudge great distances on foot. You will experience 30 degree swings in temperature, atmospheric pressure changes, 4 hours of lecture, and lots of beer after your jump! It's grueling (:-).

But seriously, problems may arise where a prospect is too heavy (over ~250lbs/ 110kg, see below) or if they have medical conditions which may impair them during the activity. Someone who experiences fainting spells, blackouts, or has a weak heart should not be jumping. Someone with respiratory illness or sinus congestion may have a problem due to atmospheric changes at altitude. The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the experience. This being said, very few people have medical or physical conditions which actually preclude jumping.

Dropzones will try to work with you. If you have a question, ask them. As always, consult your physician. You may be surprised at the relatively few physical constraints involved!

Concerning Weight Restrictions, there are two primary concerns.

First, does the drop zone have a parachute system which you can both legally use and safely land?

Second, if you are going to be at the top-end of the safe weight range for a particular parachute, are you in relatively good shape? An imperfect landing will be much less likely to injure an athletic person. If this is unclear, consider the difference between a 5'10" linebacker who weighs 240lbs, and a 5'10" 240lb couch potato. If the linebacker has a bad landing, he'll probably brush himself off and get up. The couch potato may very well injure himself substantially, lacking both the strength to withstand landing and coordination to do a good Parachute Landing Fall(PLF). With this in mind, use the following table as a guide.

< 200lbs
Almost every DZ should be willing to let you jump.

200-230lbs
The majority of DZ's should be willing to let you jump. Being in relatively good shape is a plus.

230-250lbs
Some DZ's may take you, but will likely insist that you be in good shape, i.e. not a couch-potato. You must recognize that there is a greater chance of injury, particularly if you are not somewhat athletic.

> 250lbs
A few DZ's will be able to let you skydive. Without this type of equipment, you will need to be in excellent physical condition, and be willing to accept a greatly increased chance of injury in case of a bad landing.
Please note that this table is only a guideline. Call your local Drop Zone and discuss the matter with them. Also, there are experienced skydivers who are quite heavy -- however, they likely learned when they were lighter and had mastered landing before they gaining the additional weight.

What if your parachute doesn't open?

Clearly, this is the most Frequently-Asked-Question posed by all prospective jumpers.

By law (FAA regulations), all intentional parachute jumps must be made with a single harness, dual parachute system with both a main canopy AND a reserve canopy. In other words, you have a second (or spare) canopy in case the first one fails to open properly.

Additionally, it must be noted that the technology utilized in today's sport parachuting equipment is light years ahead of the old military surplus gear used in the '60s and '70s. The canopies are drastically different from the classic "G.I. Joe" round parachutes. The materials are stronger, lighter and last longer. Modern packing procedures are simpler, and the deployment sequence is much more refined, providing smoother openings and softer landings.

The reserve canopies are even more carefully designed and packed. The reserve parachute must be inspected and repacked every 120 days by an FAA rated parachute Rigger - even if it has not been used during that time.

The student's main canopy is always packed either by a rigger or under a rigger's direct supervision by experienced packers.

There are also additional safety features employed to ensure canopy deployment such as Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) and Reserve Static Lines (RSL) which exponentially increase the level of safety.

How fast do you fall?

When you leave the aircraft, you are moving horizontally at the same speed as the aircraft, typically 90-110MPH. During the first 10 seconds, a skydiver accelerates up to about 115-130MPH straight down. (A tandem jump pair uses a drogue chute to keep them from falling much faster than this). It is possible to change your body position to vary your rate of fall. In a standard face-to-earth position, you can change your fall rate up or down a few (10-20) miles per hour. However, by diving or "standing up" in freefall, an experienced skydiver can learn to reach speeds of over 160-180MPH. Speeds of over 200MPH require significant practice to achieve. The record freefall speed, done without any special equipment, is 321MPH. For obvious reason, it is desirable to slow back down to 110MPH before parachute opening.

Once under canopy, descent rates of 1000ft./min. are typical. A lighter student with a bigger canopy may come down much more slowly, and, obviously, a heavier person may have a faster descent. Experienced jumpers' canopies descend (in normal glide) at up to 1500ft./min. During radical turns, the descent rate can exceed 2000ft./min.

How hard is the landing?

The canopies used today bear little resemblance to the classic round canopies of years gone by. Today, nearly all jumpers and jump schools use "square" canopies for parachuting. These canopies are actually rectangular in shape, and when open, act like an airplane wing (or an airfoil). They are more like gliders than umbrellas.

The aerodynamics of the square canopy provide it with exceptional maneuverability, allowing the jumpers to land almost anywhere they wish. This wing shape also provides tip-toe soft landings for even the novice jumper. The days of landing like a sand bag are history. Most first jump students land standing up or slide into a landing.

What's your home drop zone?

As a member of the Flying Gamecocks it's important to note that our home drop zone is Skydive Carolina in Chester, SC about 45 minutes north of Columbia.