Top Things to Know Before Skydiving

Are you curious about how scary skydiving is? Well, how scared you feel is directly correlated to how prepared you are. That’s why going over some things to know before skydiving for the first time can be a great way to calm your nerves before the big leap. 

But if you’ve never been skydiving before, how do you know what you should know before skydiving? The best way to learn what to know before going skydiving is to do your research. This article will go over some of the top first-time skydiving tips, but you don’t have to stop there! Our site is chock-full of good skydiving information about what it’s like to skydive with us.

Below we’ve detailed some “what to know before skydiving” tips that will help you feel fully prepared to jump! 

What to Know Before Going Skydiving

You may be wondering, “How do I prepare for my first skydive?” There are things you can do to get ready for the experience of jumping out of an airplane even if you’ve never stepped foot on a dropzone before. There are physical and mental aspects to skydiving that require some consideration before getting into (and out of) the airplane. 

Here are a few straightforward and perhaps some surprising ways you’ll want to prep your mind and body so that you can just live in the moment when it comes time to jump: 

Dress For Success

You’re going to find yourself in a handful of new positions that require some strength and flexibility. Dress in comfortable clothing that will be easy to move around in, and athletic shoes that tie (no open toes, straps, hooks, heels, or boots). Think gym fit, and you should be good to go! 

Eat a Nutritious Meal

The stress of the skydive is going to put your nervous system through the ringer. Being well nourished and hydrated is the best way to help your brain and body regulate the hormone spikes that you’ll experience throughout the day. 

Get Good Sleep

It might be hard to relax the night before your jump, but being well-rested and alert the day of your skydive will make for a much more enjoyable experience. 

Embrace the Anticipation

Half of the fun of skydiving is all of the feelings leading up to your jump. The pre-jump excitement, nerves, and bravery you’ll experience will contribute to the release you’ll feel when you leave the airplane door. Enjoy the waves of emotion! 

What should you not do before skydiving? Party! Take this PSA to heart: a hangover is no way to experience the sky, and you certainly can’t skydive if you’re still under the influence of drugs and alcohol: it’s illegal.

Be Patient with the Weather

Skydiving is an outdoor sport, which means we’re subject to everything Mother Nature has to offer. Clouds, rain, high winds, and other weather conditions are not safe to jump in and are avoided at all costs. Some conditions are deemed suitable for experienced jumpers, but even they get grounded often.

There’s a saying in skydiving that helps salve the disappointment of being stuck on the ground in questionable weather:

                          “It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky than in the sky wishing you were on the ground.”

Be prepared to hang out on the ground and wait for fairer skies if the weather is uncooperative on the day of your jump. If things are bad enough for long enough, our staff will work with you to reschedule your jump for another day. 

Get the Video

Take it from us, you’re going to want to remember your skydive. We also know that the emotions you’ll feel during your first skydive will erase some of the memories you’ll want to keep. Sensory overload and extreme adrenaline affect the brain in ways we aren’t used to in everyday life. Your recall of the jump will have holes in it and you might notice that time seemed to slow down or speed up in different parts of the skydive. 

The best way to ensure that you remember every single part of your skydive is to get a video of your jump! Having a video recording of your once-in-a-lifetime experience will allow you to relive the best moments over and over again. You’ll also be able to share the experience with people who might not have been able to come along with you! 

Should you open your mouth when skydiving? You can – and you should if you feel like releasing all that anticipatory energy with a big, hearty scream or mile-wide smile! It can make for a funny video as your mouth fills up with air. But: a) who cares!? and b) your video will feature every part of your skydive, not just that one! 

Ask Questions

That’s why your instructor is here! Well, that and to take you on the most exciting experience of your life. Your instructor has completed intense training and has extensive experience that affords them the knowledge to answer any questions you might have. Skydiving for the first time can be scary – it’s okay to have questions. We’d be worried if you climbed into a skydiving airplane with a near stranger no questions asked!

Have Fun!

Jumping out of airplanes is all about living it up and having the time of your life. No matter how you prepare, let it all go and commit to freedom and fun when it’s finally time to fly.

We Are Committed to Safety

Jumping out of a moving airplane thousands of feet above the ground with nothing but a sheet of nylon to catch your fall, doesn’t sound very safe, does it? When you put it that way, skydiving sounds like an activity only the most unhinged adrenaline junkies with nothing to lose would participate in. 

But in reality, skydiving culture is very focused on reducing risk and practicing safety procedures. We do love this sport, after all. We want to live to jump as many times as possible! Some countless rules and regulations are set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the United States Parachute Association (USPA), skydiving equipment manufacturers, and even dropzones themselves. 

Skydiving dropzones and skydivers follow these regulations not only because we have to to keep our certifications, but also because taking calculated risks is only enjoyable if you know you’re doing it in a measured and prepared way. The adrenaline rush of skydiving is fun because we’ve put enough safety practices in place to be able to relish the adventure. 

Now that you know what to expect, get ready to jump and book your tandem skydive today! Blue skies!