How to Take Skydiving Courses

Skydiving courses gradually train thrill seekers to skydive solo. The first 2-3 jumps will be tandem dives, with an expert attached close behind the amateur skydiver. These are no ordinary lessons; skydiving courses do involve jumping out of airplanes, after all.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Find a reputable skydiving center near you, and sign up for their training program. You can work toward being licensed by the United States Parachute Association, or skydive once and cross it off your bucket list.

2. 

   Take the required skydiving courses. While the longest ones usually last three hours, some tandem dive lessons are thirty minutes long. Pay close attention; you'll need the information during your practice dives.

3. 

   Are you not ready to fly through the air at over 100mph? Then avoid wasting your time and money. Go home! However, if jumping out of an airplane at 14,000+ feet sounds like great fun, prepare for the thrill of a lifetime.

4. 

   Skydiving licenses cost approx. $2,000, including the classroom lessons and practice dives. Sticker shocked? You don't have to get the whole package. In fact, one course and tandem dive should cost under $200.

Tips & Warnings

• Check under "resources" for skydiving books and guides.
• Try indoor skydiving to assess your courage - the vertical wind tunnel test.
• You must be at least 18 years old and weigh under 280 pounds to skydive.

Resources

• Mental Training for Skydiving and Life
• Parachuting: The Skydiver's Handbook
• Base 66: A Story of Fear, Fun, and Freefall

[poetryman69]

on 3/27/2009 radical

[sonni57]

on 3/26/2009 Good article on how to take skydiving.

[Barry331]

on 3/22/2009 Great!! 5*

[erinccooke]

on 1/31/2009 I've always wanted to do this!! Thanks for the breakdown! Really great article! 5* + recommendation!

[keytothestars]

on 1/15/2009 OOOOOHHH....Still tring to work up the nerve to do this. One day, I will! Gracias!