How to Survive Skydiving

Skydiving takes a certain type of person who enjoys an adventure. My first skydive was one of pure fear. Terrified of heights, I wanted to overcome my shortcoming and signed up for a tandem jump. My knees began to knock during training and I think the instructors could hear the knocking (it was really loud) just before I jumped for the first time. It was not only an amazing experience for me, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that I could have never achieved elsewhere. Next month, on my birthday I will be jumping my 15th time (in 3 years!) So you can definitely survive skydiving (and maybe you might do it again.) Here's how!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. If you decide you are going to skydive and it is your first time. Make the decision to do with every bone in your body. Any resistance you put up or negative thoughts you might have will sour your experience. Remember you are paying someone to jump with you (and they know what they are doing) so have fun!

2. When you get to the jump place, you will meet your jumping partner and instructor. You need to be able to trust them so make sure you are comfortable with who they are!

3. Pay close attention to the training part of your day. This will encompass the parachute, how you are dropping, the jump and the landing. They cover a lot of material so make sure you grasp everything before the flight!

4. When you get on the plane, the big thing to remember is not to trip yourself out. Saying you are going to skydive and being on a plane about ready to skydive is two entirely different items. Be ready to calm a few nerves so you can commit to the jump.

5. Go with a friend and dive at the same time. Obviously, two newbies can dive together, but they (and their instructors) can leave the plane at the about same time. This is great for you both as you have someone to look at when things start sounding uncomfortable.

6. Perhaps the idea of skydiving out of a plane is too much to take to start. If so, consider indoor diving. This unique feature is a huge fan, planted on the bottom of a floor which produces a mass amount of air to push you off the floor. This is completely controlled and gives you a taste of what skydiving is all about.

[Diligent77]

on 1/7/2009 Wow! I've always thought I could and would skydive. At the tender age of -- I haven't yet but this article gets my juices flowing. We'll see.

[Pamelateda]

on 12/18/2008 Good advise but I think I'll survive it my way, staying on the ground!

[derbyka]

on 12/18/2008 The idea of skydiving has always terrified me but I recently watched a friend do "stationary" skydiving and it surprised me that the thought seemed possible to me.

[02SmithA]

on 12/17/2008 I agree that indoor practice is a great idea. 5 stars