A Beginners guide to skydiving; Answers to the six questions asked most
So you want to jump out of a plane and see what it is like to skydive? Then read on as Scuba Jay recently left the fins behind and took to the skies over Niagara Falls. Below are my answers and thoughts on the six most questions asked regarding first time skydiving.
1) How much does it cost to go sky diving?
Places are going to vary on price, but generally I think they will be in the same ballpark. I went with Skydive The Falls. The main reasons I chose them was that they came highly recommended from a friend who regularly skydives, the plane ride up includes a nice ride over Niagara Falls, beautiful view of Lake Ontario and even the Toronto skyline on a clear day and they dive the highest altitude in New York, 13,500ft!
The base price was $275. There is about a $60 add on if you are over 200lbs, which I may or may not have paid (FYI maximum weight limit is 250lbs). There are also different media packages offered to document you experience, which I highly recommend taking advantage of. I choose the deluxe video package, where my tandem instructor took handy-cam pictures/video, while at the same time a professional videographer accompanied me on my skydive.
2) How many people die from skydiving each year?
Ok. let’s get the morbid stuff out of the way. When jumping out of a plane, I think it is only natural to think “am I going to die?” Skydiving, like most things that offer us adventure in life, has its risks. According to the United States Parachute Association, there was a total of 486 deaths from skydiving between 2000 to 2021. This averages out to about 22 deaths per year.
In 2023 there were 10 fatalities in the U.S. out of 3.65 million skydives. In 2022, there were 20 fatalities out of 3.9 million skydives. While someone has to make up those fatality numbers, it comes down to how comfortable you are with the odds. My advice is to do your research and make sure you are going with a reputable company and not some fly-by-night (pun intended) outfit.
3) How old do you have to be to go skydiving?
To skydive in the U.S. you must be at least 18 years old. Younger than that, you don’t pass go. If you are using some outfit that is willing to take you up and you are younger than 18, then my advice would be to bail (another pun intended) or you might make up one of those fatality numbers above.
4) What to wear sky diving?
Now this is more of a personal preference. It’s my understanding that some places may offer jumpsuits, but it really doesn’t seem necessary unless your jump is in cooler weather.
My jump was at the end of June, so I went in shorts and a t-shirt and was perfectly comfortable.
With that being said, doing a tandem jump you most likely will be coming in sliding on your butt and I did get a little brush burn on the back of my leg rom sliding on the grass. Next time I do a tandem jump, I’ll wear athletic pants for the landing. For the men, leave the boxers at home and wear some type of briefs…you’ll thank me when you put the harness on!
5) Is skydiving scary?
This depends on what you consider scary. If you find the thought of jumping out of a plane terrifying, you probably won’t be skydiving. I’ll admit I was nervous, but more excited leading up to my jump. I just tried to focus on the fun of the experience and tried not to over think it.
And let’s face it, the things in life that are most rewarding are when we’ve overcome some fear and nervousness. This is what adventure is all about!
6) What does skydiving feel like?
Thrilling, unbelievable, exhilarating are just a few words that come to mind!
Surprisingly, you do not feel like you are falling or have that feeling you get in your stomach like on a rollercoaster drop. This might be due to the height and the wind, which is like nothing else you’ve felt, that hits you the moment you go out of the plane door.
After I adjusted to the wind, during the freefall I honestly felt like I was flying! I did not feel my harness or my tandem instructor. I felt an incredible sensation of freedom, not too much unlike what I feel when I’m scuba diving.
Once the parachute deployed, it felt like being on an amusement park swing ride as we drifted down and my tandem instructor had us circling over the drop zone.
Finally, I felt a strong feeling of accomplishment having faced my nervousness in completing something that has been on my bucket list since I was a kid!
Final Thoughts
In sum, if skydiving has been on you bucket list, do it! It is an exhilarating experience you will remember for the rest of your life. And who knows, you may end up going again…I know I will.
More Of Jay’s Faves
Check out the below, if interested in more of Jay’s Faves.
“How boring would the world be if everywhere and everyone were the same. Safe travels and good adventures.” Scuba Jay
