Tandem Skydiving

Go Tandem Skydiving

Skydiving is one of the most popular adventure sports in the world with upwards of 3 million jumps annually. The thrill of freefalling from a great height, releasing the parachute and gently gliding towards Earth is hard to match.

There are two types of skydiving experiences you can opt for: Accelerated Freefall (AFF) and tandem skydiving. While you require legal training and certification to try AFF, tandem skydiving is ideal for those with no prior training in the field.

What is Tandem Skydiving?

tandem skydiving

Tandem skydiving is where you jump out of a plane that has reached a particular height, with a certified instructor deploying the parachute.

Unlike solo skydiving, where you are responsible for controlling every aspect of the jump and landing, an instructor guides you from start to finish during a tandem skydive. In tandem skydiving, the instructor controls the jump in its entirety — from the different body positions and movements while skydiving, to deploying and controlling the parachute.

Tandem skydiving is generally preferred by first-time skydivers or people looking to learn how to skydive. The adventure sport is also extremely popular amongst tourists in cities like Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne.

How To Prepare For A Tandem Skydive

You can prepare for a tandem skydive by reading up on the dropzone and checking out reviews of others who have finished a tandem skydive. This is important because you need to be able to trust the skydiving center before signing any agreement or making a payment. Once you’ve shortlisted a skydiving center, watch videos of other skydives to get a general idea of what the experience would be like.

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Safety Instructions

The night before your skydive, try and get proper sleep and avoid consumption of alcohol or drugs. In the morning, eat a light yet filling breakfast and dress in comfortable clothing before heading to the center.

Tandem Skydiving Steps

Wondering how the entire process of tandem skydiving works? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Tandem Skydive Language
Tandem Skydive Training
Know Your Instructor
Before Your Jump
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  • AAD: The Automatic Activation Device automatically deploys a reserve parachute when a skydiver crosses a predetermined altitude threshold at a high speed
  • Arch: This skydiving position allows divers to fall stably in a belly-to-earth position
  • Canopy: In skydiving terms, a parachute is called a canopy
  • Reserve Handle: This is the handle you use to deploy your reserve parachute
  • Container: Another term for the parachute harness that contains the primary parachute, reserve parachute and the AAD
  • Toggles: These are brakes attached to the steering line of the parachute and are used to steer the parachute

Tips For Your Tandem Skydive

  1. Plan your day: Prepare to spend at least 3-4 hours at the skydiving center. The weather, most likely, will delay your skydive.
  2. Motion sickness: If you get motion sickness, inform your instructor before the jump. Guests prone to motion sickness get nauseated during the parachute descent because of the turns. Once your instructor is aware of your motion sickness, they’ll be more gentle while descending.
  3. Avoid alcohol: Drinking before skydiving is absolutely prohibited. Most skydiving centers are strict about alcohol consumption before the jump and can even prohibit you from skydiving if they suspect you’re intoxicated.
  4. Advance booking: Book your tandem skydiving experience in advance because skydiving is a very popular attraction and walk-ins are generally not accepted. Making a reservation in advance also allows you to plan your day better.
  5. Stay hydrated: You’ll be spending around half a day at the drop zone. Carry enough snacks and water to last that long. Avoid overeating or starving yourself before the jump, though, since you’ll be needing plenty of energy.
  6. Get goggles: If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, check with the skydiving center staff and get goggles to protect your eyewear.
  7. Mental preparation: Tandem skydiving is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Taking that first step off the plane will require plenty of courage on your part and you need to be mentally prepared for it. To do this, have an honest discussion with your instructor. Talk to them about your fears and ask them about their experiences. This will not only let you trust your instructor but offer you some much-needed inspiration.
  8. Capture photos: Your first skydive will be a momentous event and worth remembering for the rest of your life. To capture the moment, get professional videos and photos clicked when you skydive. While expensive, your skydiving photos and video are incredibly priceless and hold immense value.

Tandem Skydiving FAQs

 

Q. What is a tandem skydive?
A. In a tandem skydive, two people jump from an airplane together, strapped to one another. It is the instructor who controls the jump, the canopy release and the landing.

Q. What is the difference between tandem skydiving and solo skydiving?
A. The biggest difference between tandem skydiving and solo skydiving is that in the former, the student shares a parachute with their instructor while in the latter, they jump alone and get a parachute to themselves.

Q. How long does a tandem skydive take?
A. A typical tandem skydive should take you anywhere between 4-5 minutes. The first 50 seconds are spent freefalling after which the parachute is released.

Q. Can you drink alcohol before skydiving?
A. Don’t consume alcohol or any drugs at least 24 hours before your tandem skydive.

Q. Can you breathe while skydiving?
A. Yes, of course. Even when you’re falling at a speed of 160 mph, you’ll easily get plenty of oxygen to breathe.

Q. What should I eat before skydiving?
A. Don’t overeat before skydiving. Ideally, you should have a light meal, such as a sandwich, salad or healthy snacks like trail mix, protein bars, smoothies, etc.

Q. How high does the plane go when skydiving?
A. Typically, an airplane will release jumpers into the sky from a height of 10,000 to 13,000 feet.

Q. Is there a weight limit for tandem skydiving?
A. Yes, most skydiving centers require that participants weigh less than 220 lbs/100 kg. There’s no minimum weight limit, though.

Q. Can you go skydiving in the rain?
A. Most tandem skydiving centers cease operations during rains. This is because there’s limited visibility when it rains and the raindrops hitting your body at the speed is not a pleasant experience.

Q. Do people throw up when skydiving?
A. Typically, no. There are instances where people throw up if it’s their first skydive but that doesn’t happen during freefall. Instead, most cases of throwing up happen during the parachute ride. Inform your instructor if you get easily motion sick so that they can maneuver the parachute gently.