Jumping out of a perfectly sound airplane – deliberately – can seem a daunting prospect to the novice skydiver. Accordingly, most first timers to skydiving do what is called a tandem skydive. With a tandem skydive, the novice jumper is given safe, fun and exciting education by experience.
He or she is harnessed to an experienced skydiving teacher, and guided through the entire process. From the jump itself, all the way through freefall, pulling the chute, navigating the canopy, and the landing; the inexperienced jumper is given step-by-step instructions from his teacher. Only minimal training is required before one’s first tandem skydive.
The tandem skydive is more expensive than static line skydiving or accelerated freefall – the other two methods that novices to skydiving can choose when making their first jump. Regardless, it remains the most popular of the three choices for a good reason.
There aren’t any real expectations for the student; he or she simply follows instructions. Minimal training is required, and consists of learning how to properly exit the airplane, maneuver in free fall, deploy the canopy, and land. The instructor remains in charge at all times. If you are considering taking up skydiving as a sport or hobby, here is what you can expect on your first tandem skydive.
The equipment used will be different than what is used for a solo jump. You will have what is called a drogue chute deploy right after jumping, to lower velocity. The main canopy will be larger, as it needs to support the weight of two jumpers instead of one. There will be a standard reserve chute, which will deploy automatically if the main chute hasn’t been deployed below a specific elevation.
You’ll need to sign a waver. Skydiving is risky, though not as dangerous as you might think. Out of 2 million jumps worldwide every year, only 35 deaths occur – and some of those are simply from the plane crashing. It is certainly safer than ironworking or fishing in Alaska!
After you meet the instructor, you will put on some sample gear and do some basic training exercises. The instructor will show you how to exit the airplane properly, and the basic form to use when in freefall. Jump airplanes aren’t built for comfort – you can expect the ride, which lasts about 20 minutes, to be both loud and cold. Since you will be jumping out of the airplane anyways, this doesn’t really matter.
You will be asked to pick the elevation you wish to jump at. Typically the range is from 9,000 to 14,000 feet. Since you are attached by harness to another person – your instructor – the jump itself will be more of a roll out the door. Your instructor will remind you to form your body into a banana shape, to maintain your center of gravity and stability in freefall.
You can expect freefall to last about a minute if you are jumping from 14,000 feet; if jumping from 9,000 feet, the lower end of possible ranges, then freefall will only last thirty seconds or so. Once the chute is deployed, the experience becomes very quiet and relaxing. You will have time to speak with your instructor about the impending landing. For the landing itself, you will simply pull up your legs and slide gently into the sand, assuming you navigate to your designated landing target correctly.
All in all, performing a tandem skydive is probably the best way to learn about skydiving. The sport isn’t for everyone, but if you are adventurous and inclined towards activities which give a real adrenaline rush, then this is most likely the sport for you.
Eric Boyd is the owner and operator of Skydive Spaceland a skydive Houston resort and dropzone. Skydive spaceland uses the most advanced equipment and training for skydiving and tandem skydiving.
Skydive Spaceland
16111 FM 521 Rd, Rosharon, Texas 77583
(281) 595-3772