Tips On Choosing The Best Skydiving

Training Method:
A Comprehensive Guide For Beginners


Throughout the years, man has displayed quite an avid interest in flying. This explains the invention of aircrafts, gliders and jet packs, the extreme fascination with flying superheroes and of course the introduction of every known flying contraption that would make it possible for people to experience the freedom of flying, albeit for only a limited period of time.

However, the most popular form of truly experiencing the exhilaration of soaring up in the air is skydiving. This is one of the extreme sports that is actually favored by a number of people, especially the certified thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. The idea of jumping out of the plane is certainly too daunting for a great number of people. However, those who actually summoned up the courage and survive through the hair-raising freefall will certainly take the credit for it. After all, there is nothing short of courageous than hurling your body into the great unknown and entirely relying your survival on a parachute.

If you are harboring an ardent desire to test your own nerves through skydiving, there is no better time than today. Although some may be easily cowed with the high risks involved, skydiving is actually a relatively safe sport of course with the help some precautions and safety measures. You before you lose your guts, sign up on one of the skydiving courses in a reputable skydiving institution in your area and experience firsthand the thrills and chills of flying ten thousand feet up in the air.


Training Methods

If you are truly decided on conquering that fear of heights, you would need to decide on what would be the most suitable skydiving training method for you. You will usually be presented with a number of choices. Its better to have a more in-depth view on the said methods be fore actually writing down your name on the finely printed paper. After all, who cares if you are overly meticulous about this? It is your life and safety that is at stake here!

However, you can heave a great sigh of relief with knowing that all three methods are relatively safe. Your main consideration in choosing between the three training methods is the amount of time you can spare, the amount of money you can spend, and of course the strength of your nerves. So read on and find out more on the different training methods that you can choose from.

Tandem Jump

Standard Cost: $ 175

This is said to be the most popular method that majority of people prefer when making their very first jump. The reason? You will be able to experience of hurling your body into the air, without have to worry when to deploy you parachute and all other mundane things that you would rather do without. Understandably so, considering that it will be your very first jump, panic and terror would possibly set in causing you wits to scatter. The tandem jump method allows you to enjoy every minute of your free fall and parachute ride, safely strapped at the chest of an expert and professional skydiver. Most of the drop zones in the United States offer tandem skydives under two different schemes:


§ One time fun jump – this usually requires about 30 minute of ground training and preparation

§ Tandem progression – this is generally completed soon after the standard first jump course that are known to last roughly about four hours.

Tandem skydiving, in essence consist of an expert skydiver known as ‘ tandem instructor' or the ‘tandem master' and the passenger, which would be you. The tandem master traditionally rides at the back and equipped with a extra large parachute that will be able to carry the load of two people, or an estimated weight of 500 pounds. The passenger or student will have to wear a specially designed harness that will attach the body at four points to the chest of the tandem master. The tandem freefall would usually have a duration of 45 to 60 seconds, and soon after followed by a four-minute canopy ride to the ground.

The tandem jump method provides an effective alternative for people who will not be able to meet the physical and adeptness requirements that are needed in a static line jump or an AFF. By fully relying on the skills of the tandem master, the student will have a better chance to fully enjoy the scenery and the thrill of skydiving.

Static Line (S/L)

Standard Cost: $ 175.00

This method has been practiced for over 30 years and was mainly used by militaries in training their paratroopers. The students are usually provided with 4-6 hours of ground training and will then be taken to a 3,000 feet altitude. By skydiving standards, this is quite low since most jumps are made at 10,000 – 12,000 feet above the ground. The jump mainly consists of a ‘poised' leap from a small Cessna plane. As the individual drops off the plane, the main parachute or canopy will be automatically deployed through the ‘static line' that is attached to the aircraft. The student will experience about two to three second of free fall before the parachute will open up.

Every static line jumps would require at least 15 minutes of preparations. After two successful S/L jumps, the students will then be trained to pull their own ripcord. They are first required to demonstrate the ability to pull the dummy ripcord before they will actually qualify to do their very first free fall.

The subsequent S/L jumps will be made at a higher altitude where students will make a 10 seconds delay, meaning they will free fall for longer moment before pulling the ripcord. The higher the altitude, the longer will be the need to pull the cord. After having completed 25 jumps, students will then qualify for an A license.


Accelerated Free Fall (AFF)

Standard Cost: $275.00

This method was initially instituted way back in 1982 as a quicker learning process in comparison to the conventional static line progression. This will give a taste of modern skydiving methods. However, this program will require longer ground training than the other two methods. This is mainly because the students will have to be briefed during the 50-second freefall. That's Right! If you want to have more exhilarating time during free fall, thick would be the best option for you.

The student will jump from an aircraft at 10, 000- 12,000 feet right along with to professional AFF instructors who will guide the student all throughout the freefall. This is usually done with the two instructors maintaining a firm grip on the student from the exact moment they leave the aircraft. Upon reaching 4,000 feet the student will then be asked to pull his own ripcord and would be able to enjoy a leisurely canopy ride.

This method mainly concentrates on providing safety instructions and other basic skydiving skills such as altitude awareness, proper body position, maintaining stability during freefall and pull sequence. However, the most important thing of all is how to successfully pull the ripcord. There are actually 7 levels of the AFF program and the each of the level would require 45 minutes of training and one successful jump.


Which is which?

Among the three methods, the Tandem Jump is said to be the safest option for first timers. If you mainly want one of two jumps, this is undoubtedly the best option for you. You will not have to worry about anything else like proper positioning and deploying the parachutes since you will solely rely on the expertise of a tandem master.

This means that you are totally free to enjoy all the different sensations of being ten thousand feet up in the air and taking all the boundless beauty and grandeur from a front set a view from up above.

However, if you are keen on working towards getting a license the AFF is a better option for you. The program will be able to provide you a comprehensive training through seven staged that a student is required to go through. The main drawback of this method is the exorbitant cost that you will need to pay for the course, not to mention the extra payments for every jump you would make.

With the information given above, you will be able to narrow down your selection based on your preferences and skydiving requirements. In looking for skydiving school, make sure that it is a member of the USPA.


General Requirements

All of the skydiving companies impose an age restrictions of 18 years and above. Parents are actually not allowed to sign any document for a minor child that will state that they are giving their full consent. This rule is quite strict, making no exceptions.

A person is also required to weigh no more than 240 pounds. Before you adamantly react on weight discrimination, this rule was mainly made to ensure that the person would make a safest landing possible. Overweight individuals will of course have a hard time maneuvering, especially in high altitudes. Although, skydiving is not a physically strenuous sport, you have to be physically fit and strong to be able to pull your parachute line or the ripcord. However, it is good thing to note, most people who would want to give skydiving a shot do not encounter problems such as these. Any other health ailments should be discussed with the skydiving instructors to be able to have a thorough assessment on each individual's case.

Why Skydive?

To some people, skydiving is considered a death wish, where only a few people can walk away unscathed. This is however, overrated and horror stories are usually blown out of proportion. Truth be known, most of the fatalities in skydiving are more often than not caused by human error and negligence. With proper and adequate training, you will be better equipped to face and conquer your innermost fears and talk about that experience to close friends and relatives.

Unknown to many, there are actually a number of benefits that can be directly attributed to skydiving. Contrary to the popular belief, it is not a sport for the foolhardy and people who have addiction to taking risks and flirting with danger. Skydiving actually gives you a chance to have a few minutes of freedom, both physically and mentally. It is known to be an effective stress reliever, with just you and the sky leaving no room for worries to creep in. This is a mentally invigorating sport that will give you a sense of accomplishment and seemingly a sense of having a new lease on life.

There are a number of people who claim that is a very personal and liberating experience, of being able to summon up the courage to face the vast unknown and literally put your life in the line. Yes, it is a journey of sorts. This may sound crazy but there are actually some individuals who have experienced skydiving that say there seem to have an abundance of courage after the said experience. The mere memory of conquering fear and cheating death can evoke boundless courage that makes people think they will be able to hurdle anything in life.

So yes! Instead of viewing skydiving as a suicidal sport, it is actually a way of giving you a fresher perspective on life, like being reborn. If you don't believe in psychobabble gibberish, you can just go ahead at give it a try! It is certainly one of the most exhilarating feeling you will never get tired of recounting and reminiscing for the rest of your life.