1.Choose a certified instructor
Go online and do your research. Make sure that all
instructors at a diving club or commercial skydiving establishment are
certified. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions to help you be
comfortable with the idea of that first jump.
2. Check the safety record of instructors and pilots
Before you do your skydive, you want to make sure
that they have a good safety record, and that you know everything you
can about them. Don’t be afraid to hang around for awhile and ask experienced jumpers what they think of the airplanes, the pilots, the instructors and the rental equipment.
3. Decide whether to jump tandem or solo
Beginners are encouraged to take a tandem jump (as
President Bush did with a highly qualified instructor). Tandem jumps are
a great way to get an introduction to the sport.They allow the learner
to gain an understanding of the sport with an experienced jumper. A
tandem jump consists of an experienced jumper called a “Tandem master”
and his or her passenger – you.The passenger and tandem master each wear
a harness. The passengers’ harness attaches to the front of the
master’s harness and the two of them jump together from approximately
14,000 feet above the ground, free fall together for 65 seconds, open
the parachute together, and land together under one really big
parachute. A tandem jump requires anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of
additional ground preparation.Tandem jumping avoids the time, expense
and effort of the more in-depth training required for solo jumps.If you
decide you want to do a solo jump for your first experience, you will
have to take an instruction course
and you will probably be required to use a static line. A static line
is attached to the airplane and to the jumper’s chute. The line pulls
open the parachute as soon as you leap out of the plane.If you do a
tandem jump, you jump with an instructor who is going to do all the
work. You will just go along for the ride.
4. Make sure that you understand everything
Before you decide to sign up for your first jump, be
sure you understand every instruction you are given.Don’t go up without a
full understanding of the steps to the jump. You certainly won’t gain
an understanding of the thrill and rush of the experience, but you
should be well aware of the sequence of events in your jump, the timing,
how to land and whether or not it helps to scream on the way down.Take
your time. Assure yourself that the person who is instructing you is
answering your questions fully and not rushing you.If you don’t feel
comfortable with the way it’s going, don’t go. Wait awhile, go to
another jump school, or just keep asking questions of those who are
already experienced jumpers. They are such an enthusiastic bunch, you’ll
probably have a hard time shutting them up.
5. Then what?
If you enjoy that first skydiving experience , think
about getting instruction and personal certification.You should be
aware, though, that it can be a very expensive sport. That is something
you will really want to consider before paying for training, jump gear,
parachute, airplane time and many miscellaneous charges.
If you take the big step, you will probably be the one searching for superlatives to describe your experience.
For more information visit the web site below
If you take the big step, you will probably be the one searching for superlatives to describe your experience.
For more information visit the web site below
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