Skydiving is gaining popularity as an extreme sport due to its unique sensation. You jump from a great height, freefall, and then float with a parachute—an experience unmatched by any other sport. It's no wonder so many people are curious, but most beginners inevitably have many questions, such as:
Is it safe or not?
What should be prepared so as not to make a wrong move?
So, to stop your hesitation about trying skydiving, read this article. This article will give you a clear understanding of what skydiving is, its benefits, and the risks that must be mitigated.
What is Skydiving?
Skydiving is an extreme sport in which you jump from an airplane at a certain height, free-fall, and then deploy a parachute for a safe landing. Similar sports to skydiving include parasailing and paragliding.
If you are parasailing, you will be pulled by a boat while wearing a parachute, whereas with paragliding you will fly using a paraglider from a hill/cliff with the help of the wind.
The stages of skydiving are usually like this:
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Take off (the plane takes off and climbs to altitude).
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Exit (you exit the plane).
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Enter the free fall phase for a few seconds to about a minute depending on the height.
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Parachute deployment (the parachute opens and you control the direction), then landing (landing with a safe technique).
If you're a beginner, skydiving is generally done with an instructor (tandem) to ensure better control and safety procedures. This ensures safety.
Types of Skydiving You Need to Know
| Type | Profit | Lack |
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| Tandem skydiving (for first timers) |
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| Solo skydiving |
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| Static line jump |
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| Accelerated Freefall (AFF) |
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| Indoor skydiving (wind tunnel) |
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The Physical & Mental Benefits of Skydiving
1. Physical Condition
Skydiving isn't just about freefalling, but also about controlling your body position in the air. During a freefall, you need to maintain a stable arch, which activates your core , back, hips, and legs to maintain balance and maintain a safe direction.
Basic skydiving training also teaches body positioning for greater stability and precise movement control, thus improving body coordination. Furthermore, skydiving trains body awareness.
In the air, your primary "control tool" is your own body. So you learn to be sensitive to the position of your hands, feet, hips, and head, and then quickly adjust accordingly to maintain stability. Wind tunnel studies also show that this activity requires the participation of many muscles to maintain posture and control movement.
Also Read: 10 Must-Have Mountain Climbing Gear for Beginners
2. Improve Mental Health
Skydiving offers the benefit of developing courage and self-confidence. You're forced to face challenging situations in a controlled manner, then prove to yourself that you can overcome them. This courageous experience of jumping from great heights often carries over into everyday life.
This way, you'll become more confident in making decisions, calmer under pressure, and more confident in your abilities. Skydiving also helps you learn to manage fear and stress in a real-world way.
When tense moments arise, you learn to focus on your breathing, instructions, and correct actions. Coupled with the adrenaline rush, many people feel a better mood afterward because their bodies release hormones that make them feel more "relieved" and energized.
3. Social Life & Lifestyle
When you're actively skydiving, you'll meet people with similar interests, learn from those more experienced, and build a supportive circle. For many, this is a quick way to expand your network and establish a more "lively" routine than just hanging out or scrolling all day without purpose.
From a lifestyle perspective, skydiving offers a unique and memorable experience that's hard to compare with any other activity. Such experiences often make people more confident, more open to trying new things, and create moments worth remembering for a lifetime.
Also Read: Trail Running is Extreme Running in Nature, What are the Benefits?
What Are the Risks of Skydiving?
1. Risks When Landing
The most common skydiving risk occurs during the landing, not while you're floating. Numerous data indicate that the most common injuries are related to landing, particularly to the ankles and legs.
Because at that moment, the body must "hold" the remaining horizontal and vertical velocity. If you're late or mistimed during the flare, you could hit the ground too quickly, which could result in anything from sprains to broken bones.
Furthermore, landing risks increase if the field and wind conditions are less than ideal. A sudden crosswind or inaccurate navigation could cause you to land on uneven ground, even near trees or power lines.
Therefore, it's crucial to learn the parachute landing fall technique first. Essentially, if you want to be safe, don't improvise, follow the instructor's briefing, practice landings diligently, and make sure you jump from a drop zone with clear safety procedures.
Also Read: What to Do If You Get Injured While Wall Climbing?
2. Human Error & Procedural Errors
The biggest risk in skydiving isn't the equipment, but human error and procedural errors, as humans are the weakest link in the safety system. Beginner skydivers can panic or lose focus during a freefall, forgetting to check their altitude or making delayed decisions.
A sudden feeling of fear, or even being too "amazed" by the view, can make you lose awareness of your surroundings, even though in skydiving, even a few seconds can have an impact.
Furthermore, there's the risk of navigational miscalculations; opening the parachute too low or too far from the drop zone can land you in a dangerous area. Another common problem is lack of practice and overconfidence. People who believe they're experts start ignoring the basic pre-jump checklist.
3. Certain Health Risks
Skydiving is exciting, but there are risks you should be aware of, especially if you have certain health conditions. During the jump, the pressure changes can shock your ears and sinuses. If you have a cold, flu, or nasal congestion, it's harder to equalize the pressure, and the risk is doubled.
Additionally, skydiving triggers an adrenaline rush. If you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, don't risk it. Some skydiving health forms list these conditions as conditions that require medical consideration first.
Another common risk is injury during the landing phase, as mentioned earlier. Therefore, having good body control is crucial. Strong leg and core muscles help you stabilize while absorbing impact and following landing instructions. To prepare, engage in regular strength training .
Safe Skydiving Guide for Beginners
1. Choose a Trusted Skydiving Operator
For beginners, the safest course of action is to choose a skydiving operator that's trustworthy and verifiable, not just one that "looks cool" in the content. Check certifications and licensing, and ensure the tandem instructor has official certifications, clear permits, and that the equipment is in top condition.
Also Read: 10 Wall Climbing Mistakes That Beginners Often Make
Don't forget to check reviews and track record. Read reviews on several platforms and pay close attention to the comments. Also, ask about briefings, safety, crew professionalism, and how they handle weather/delays. If the operator evades you when you ask about certifications, safety procedures, or gear maintenance, that's a clear red flag. It's better not to do it.
2. Take the Briefing Seriously
Listening carefully to the briefing instructions is essential. This is where you'll learn the key safety aspects. Everything from proper body positioning during a freefall to landing techniques will be reiterated during the briefing.
Therefore, never assume that a briefing is merely a formality. Even a small misinformation could put your life in danger.
3. Use equipment that meets standards
The most basic skydiving safety guideline is to use complete and usable standard equipment. This equipment is like a mountain climber's carrier bag; its contents are crucial and vital for life support during the climb.
Therefore, make sure you wear both your main and reserve parachutes and don't forget to double-check them before jumping. Not only is the parachute on, but the harness must also fit properly and be securely locked to ensure your body is safe during freefall and landing.
Also, wear a helmet and goggles to protect your head and eyes from strong winds and disturbances during the descent. Essentially, never jump if any equipment feels loose, damaged, or unchecked. In skydiving, even the slightest detail can be fatal.
4. Maintain Physical & Mental Condition
Before your first jump, you must maintain your physical and mental health. Make sure you get enough sleep to focus during briefings and respond more quickly to your instructor's instructions.
Avoid alcohol for 8 hours before the jump (preferably not at all). Finally, try to remain calm at the aircraft door. Follow the instructions carefully, regulate your breathing, and focus on the body position the instructor asks you to maintain to ensure everyone's safety and well-being!
So, When Do You Want to Try Skydiving?
Skydiving is an extreme sport, but it can be safe and enjoyable if you follow the procedures carefully. Listen to the briefing, follow the instructor's instructions carefully, and don't improvise in the air.
For beginners, the most sensible option is a tandem jump because you're diving with a licensed instructor, making it safer. All you need to do is focus on your body position and landing.
The most crucial factor is operator selection. Be sure to choose one with a solid reputation, rigorous safety standards, and transparency regarding procedures and equipment.
