Tandem Skydiving is a great way to experience the ultimate thrill of skydiving for the first time. When making a tandem skydive you are in a harness and during the skydive you are hooked to the harness of the tandem instructor. Some people also refer to this as piggy-backed.
Doing your first skydive as a tandem skydive, you can experience the excitement of skydiving with less risk than other ways of doing your first jump. During the tandem skydive, you will be harness to an experienced, licensed instructor who will handle the equipment, freefall, deployment, flight and landing.
You can experience freefall during your very first skydive. Training for tandem skydiving requires much less time than other first jump methods.
When deciding where to make your first skydive, here are some questions to ask the drop zone:
(A drop zone is an airport where people skydive)
1) What does it cost?
Usually a tandem skydive costs about $200.
If you are in a tourist area you will probably pay more.
Most drop zones offer cheaper rates during the week - ask
Many drop zones offer group rates - ask what discount you get and how big a group you need
2) Is video available?
Video of your first jump usually costs about $80 in addition to the jump cost
This normally includes video and stills of your first jump.
Remember, whether you only skydive once or do it for years, there is only one first skydive.
3) Do you need to make an appointment?
Some drop zones require you to register in advance so they have adequate staff available
Some allow you to just show up
Some require that you be there at a certain time
4) What is their cancellation policy?
If the weather is uncooperative and you don't get to jump after you've paid do you get a rain check or a refund?
5) Are they a USPA drop zone?
USPA (United States Parachute Association) is the recognized governing body of skydiving.
If they are a USPA drop zone they are members of USPA and agreed to abide by its rules
Not belonging to USPA does not necessarily make them a bad drop zone but you need to do more checking on your own of their standards of operation.
6) What type of plane do they have?
It may not matter to you as long as you get to jump, but…
Cessnas:
Will only go to about 10,000 ft vs 13,500 ft in most other planes
Is a long plane ride to 10,000 ft.
Is usually more cramped
Is really cool to climb out under the wing when you jump
King Air, Otter, Caravan, Porter, DC3, PAX750
Unless there are weather issues, usually go to 13,500 ft.
Faster ride, some are really fast
Have a side door for jumping
Casa, Skyvan
Unless there are weather issues, usually go to 13,500 ft.
Faster than a Cessna
Have a tail gate/rear exit for jumping
7) Is the area congested?
Is there a large landing area
Is the area mostly farm land
Are there a lot of woods and trees nearby
Is the area generally open or congested
Large, open, rural areas are great for skydiving
On the day of your first skydive call the airport and check that the weather conditions are favorable for jumping. Weather conditions are critical to jump operations and can vary greatly over short distances. Precipitation, clouds, and wind can all affect whether or not you get to make a skydive.
Wear comfy clothes that will still be comfy when you're freefalling at 120 mph. Remember too that it is colder at 10,000 to 13,500 ft than it is on the ground.
Wear tennis shoes. You don't want to wear shoes (esp. boots) that have hooks instead of holes for the shoe laces. The drop zone will ask you to change your shoes or tape the hooks before letting you skydive. Wear shoes that won't fall off when you are in freefall. Really, tennis shoes are best.
You don't want any loose items on you. You'll need your ID to register but lock your wallet in your car or leave with a trusted friend while you jump. Same with jewelry - leave it home or take it off before jumping.
Arrive early enough to get a feel for the drop zone. Hopefully you can watch some of the other tandem landings.
When you check in at the drop zone and let them know you are there, the first thing you will be asked to do is sign some paperwork. Almost all drop zones in the USA require you to be 18 years old to do a tandem skydive. You will have to sign a waiver saying among other things that you understand that there are risks associated with skydiving. It is a high risk sport and the waiver will likely be several pages long. Some drop zones require a video taped waiver now.
You will also be asked to state that you are healthy. Some conditions which concern them will be blood pressure problems, heart problems, breathing problems, seizures, etc. This list is not meant to be all inclusive. Ask the drop zone when you talk with them. Even if you have a health condition they may find a way to work with you so you can still experience that skydive.