Going skydiving? Here are five things to know before you jump

Stephen Hobbs, Michael McGough
·2 min read
A skydiver lands in the field at the Parachute Center in September.

An investigation by The Sacramento Bee found that at least 28 people have died while skydiving at the Parachute Center near Lodi.

Skydiving can be a thrilling adventure. But part of that thrill comes from its inherent danger. The United States Parachute Association estimates that last year there was roughly 1 fatality for every 200,000 jumps.

If you’re looking to skydive for the first time, the USPA has some advice before you go:

Finding a place

Every skydiving center, also known as a drop zone, is unique. The USPA encourages jumpers to shop around and even stop by and watch how a center operates before skydiving there. Costs can vary by the location and no organization rates the safety of skydiving centers.

But centers can become USPA group members by pledging to follow basic safety requirements. Drop zones are not required to be a member of the association to operate. If you’d like to go to a USPA-affiliated drop zone, the association has a member map to help you find those near you.

What to wear

Once you find a center, the USPA encourages jumpers to ask the drop zone if it has any dress requirements. The association recommends that jumpers wear comfortable clothing. Skydiving equipment is provided by drop zones.

What type of jump?

There are several ways to make your first jump, depending on what is offered at the drop zone. The quickest way is a tandem jump. It typically requires about a half-hour of training, according to the USPA, and jumpers are teamed up with an instructor at a drop zone. You would share a parachute system with the instructor, who can deploy and control the parachute for you.

A more independent version allows a person to skydive with their own parachute system, according to the USPA. But it requires several hours of ground training. Instructors hold onto the student during free fall.

Do I need to sign anything before I jump?

The USPA says it is expected that jumpers will fill out a registration form and sign a liability release before jumping.

What is the free fall like?

The USPA says you likely won’t feel a “sudden drop” when you leave the plane. In fact, the air acts similarly to a cushion as a jumper cuts through the air, the association says. Skydivers can reach over 100 mph during free fall, which lasts roughly 45-60 seconds before a parachute is pulled, according to the USPA.