What Is Tandem Skydiving? Everything You Need to Know Before You Jump

Table of Contents

• What is a Tandem Skydive?
• What is the Difference Between Skydiving & Tandem Skydiving?
• How Does Tandem Skydiving Work?
• Is Tandem Skydiving Safe?
• FAQs About Tandem Skydiving
• Where to Go Tandem Skydiving

Key Takeaways

Tandem skydiving is the most beginner-friendly way to experience the thrill of freefall – no prior training required. You’ll be securely harnessed to a USPA-certified instructor who manages every technical aspect, so you can focus on the rush, the views, and the unforgettable feeling of flying. At Skydive Monroe, safety, professionalism, and breathtaking adventure come together for the jump of a lifetime.

Ever wondered what it feels like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane or to soar through the skies? You’re not alone! 

Tandem skydiving is one of the most thrilling, empowering, and downright unforgettable experiences you can have, and the best part? You don’t need any experience to do it! But before you suit up, it’s natural to have a few (or a dozen) questions. Let’s break down everything you need to know before you jump at Skydive Monroe so you can be ready to spread your wings and fly!

What is a Tandem Skydive?

Simply put, tandem skydiving is the most beginner-friendly way to experience skydiving. You’re securely harnessed to a USPA-certified tandem instructor, who handles all the technical aspects of the jump: exiting the aircraft, deploying the parachute, navigating, and landing. This allows you to focus fully on the exhilaration and awe of the experience from start to finish.

On a tandem skydive, you won’t need prior in-depth training or a license other than a short briefing before the jump – which is why it makes it ideal for first-timers, bucket-list checkers, and thrill-seekers alike.

Why is it called tandem skydiving? Tandem bicycles, tandem kayaks, tandem skydiving … the word “tandem” means two people working together – and that’s exactly what happens on a tandem skydive. You and your instructor jump as a tandem pair, connected by a specially designed harness system. Tandem skydiving is not a rollercoaster ride; it is a team effort that you will actively participate in. We got this, together!

What is the Difference Between Skydiving & Tandem Skydiving?

Now that we’ve covered what a tandem jump in skydiving is, let’s look at how it differs from regular skydiving? The major difference lies in who is in control. 

During a tandem skydive, the instructor is in charge of the entire process, while you enjoy the thrills and views. Solo skydivers, in contrast, are 100% responsible for themselves – from gear up to touch down. To earn the opportunity to skydive solo, individuals must undergo extensive training and certification through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program. 

How Does Tandem Skydiving Work?

The tandem skydiving system is constructed for comfort and with safety as the top priority. Your instructor wears a container that houses two parachutes: a main parachute and a reserve (back-up) parachute, along with an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that’s designed to deploy the reserve in the unlikely event it is needed. 

You’re connected to your instructor via a multi-point harness system, using strong, stainless-steel clamps rated to withstand thousands of pounds of force. Once locked in, the harness holds you securely in place throughout the entire jump. It’s snug, so you feel secure too, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience.

Here’s what to expect when you make a tandem at Skydive Monroe:

1. Check-in & Briefing: After arriving at the dropzone, you’ll complete a waiver, meet your instructor, and receive a short safety briefing. No six-hour AFF ground school needed – your instructor will walk you through everything you need to know!
2. Gear Up: You’ll be fitted with a jumpsuit, harness, and goggles. Your instructor will wear the parachute rig.
3. Plane Ride: When it’s your turn, you’ll board Skydive Monroe’s King Air or Cessna 182 with your new bestie (your tandem instructor).
4. The Jump: Once you reach around 14,000 feet, you’ll exit the aircraft with your instructor, beginning the roughly 60 seconds of freefall at speeds of up to 120 mph.
5. Parachute Deployment: At around 5,000 feet, your instructor will deploy the parachute and you’ll float blissfully under a beautiful canopy for about five to seven minutes before landing back on solid ground.

Is Tandem Skydiving Safe?

Skydiving – like any extreme sport – comes with inherent risks. Tandem skydiving has the most impressive safety statistics due to stringent instructor training, large parachutes and other equipment, and staunch safety protocols. 

At Skydive Monroe, your jump will be conducted with a highly experienced tandem instructor who is certified through the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA is our sport’s governing body that tracks incident, accident, injury and fatality statistics and sets strict guidelines for all USPA Group Member dropzones. These dropzones have made a pledge to use only qualified instructors, approved equipment, properly certified pilots, and uphold all of the high standards laid out by the USPA.

Top FAQs About Tandem Skydiving

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Here are some of our most popular questions that we get from first-time tandem jumpers:

What Happens if You Pass Out While Tandem Skydiving?

While extremely rare, passing out while skydiving is possible for a few reasons. Anxiety, dehydration, or other underlying health conditions could be the catalyst for unconsciousness. If you pass out, your tandem instructor is trained to get you back on the ground as safely as possible.

What Should I Wear for My Tandem Skydive?

When choosing what to wear on your tandem skydive, you’ll want to dress for comfort and mobility. Recommended attire includes:

• Athletic shoes that lace up
• Close-fitting clothing that’s easy to move in
• Layers that are appropriate for the season; it’s cooler at altitude

We’ll also provide you with a jumpsuit to wear over top of your clothing, as well as goggles that will fit over your glasses. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on these awesome views!

Should I Eat Before My Jump?

Absolutely! While it might seem like a good idea to skip food due to nerves, an empty stomach can actually increase your chance of nausea. It’s best to eat a light meal a couple of hours before your jump so that your body has the energy it needs to combat the surge of adrenaline you’re about to experience. Avoid greasy or heavy foods that typically make you feel lethargic.

What Happens if the Weather is Bad?

Skydiving is a weather-dependent sport. If conditions aren’t safe – such as high winds, low clouds, or rain – your jump may be delayed or rescheduled. We ask for your patience when we make (sometimes unpopular) decisions in the interest of keeping you and our team safe.  We will do our absolute best to keep you well-informed on the day of your skydive. Call the dropzone if you have weather concerns before you get here.

Don’t see your questions here? Visit our FAQs page for more or get in touch!

Where to Go Tandem Skydiving

If you’re wondering where to go tandem skydiving, look no further than Skydive Monroe! Not only are we one of Georgia’s top-rated dropzones, we are a USPA member dropzone, which means we only employ the best USPA-certified instructors and follow strict safety guidelines, especially when it comes to maintaining our crowd favorite King Air and super reliable Cessna 182. Here at Skydive Monroe, you’re in great hands.

Ready to make the jump of a lifetime? Book your tandem skydive today! Blue skies.