How to Skydive

Skydiving is a sport designed for the person with an adventurous spirit. Once you have decided you're up for the adventure, take a few necessary steps and be on your way to experiencing an exhilarating jump from an airplane.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Locate a skydiving center. The skydiving center should have experienced instructors and offer packages that include a skydiving course, a jump and video of the event.
2. Decide on the type of jump that you wish to take. First-time skydivers do a tandem, accelerated free fall or static line jump. The static line and accelerated free falls involve extensive training hours while a tandem jump allows you to jump attached to an experienced skydiver.
3. Consider jumping in a group. Many skydiving centers will offer group rates for six or more jumpers.
4. Take the relevant training courses. Before you skydive for the first time, you have to complete hours of training before you actually jump.
5. Jump. After you choose a package and finish the training, an airplane takes you up to an altitude of 3,000 to 10,000 feet for the jump. You free fall out of the plane and accelerate to approximately 115 to 125 miles per hour before the cord is pulled on the parachute.
6. Land safely. Skydiving landings are surprisingly soft because of the advancements made in parachutes.

Tips & Warnings

• You should perform a tandem jump before a single jump.
• Do not skydive if you have any serious medical conditions. People with heart conditions are not allowed to jump.