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  Sport > Skydiving
Lankomumo reitingas Print version Print version
What to ask before jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet

It's one of the world's most exhilarating sports. But it also can be one of the most dangerous. Before you "take the leap", ask the following ten questions.

Is this really for me?

There’s no way to tell unless you take the leap. “It doesn’t feel like anything you’ve done before,” says Cindy Gibson, of Austin Skydiving Center in Texas. It’s not like the herky-jerky sensation of riding a roller coaster or bungee jumping since, believe it or not, there’s no sense of falling. It’s windy and noisy, but the primary sensation is peaceful floating, followed by a sharp tug when the chute opens. Free fall has been described as cruising atop a tornado, and as the ultimate high—with no hangover.

Solo or tandem?

Most first-timers opt for a tandem jump, in which an experienced instructor is strapped to your back and you both use the same parachute. Basically, the instructor handles the important stuff while you enjoy the ride. If you want to go solo, there are two options: Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) or Static Line. With the AFF method, two instructors jump alongside you, advising step-by-step on what to do. In a Static Line jump, the chute opens immediately after you exit the plane, so there’s no free fall—and you miss why most people skydive in the first place. Both solo methods cost at least $100 more than tandem.

How much training will I get?

It takes about a day to learn the procedures and make a first-time solo jump. Going tandem requires even less time—a few hours covers training, the plane ride, and the drop back to earth. Skydiving centers, or drop zones, often show videos illustrating basic safety tips, but the real training will come from your tandem instructor. As he helps you put on the harness (on the ground), he’ll explain how to position your arms and legs. Oh, and when the time comes, he’ll also pull the rip cord.

How long will I be in free fall?

Many U.S. drop zones plan for jumps from around 13,500 feet up. In the tandem method, you float along at 120 miles per hour for about a minute. With g-forces tugging on you, you’re literally grinning from ear to ear the entire way down. The instructor opens the chute at around 5,500 feet. Then it’s another five minutes of much slower floating before your feet touch the ground.

How much will it cost?

For a first-time tandem jump, $150 to $200. Some drop zones give discounts of $20 or more for booking in advance or as part of a group. An additional $50 or so pays for a cameraman to jump alongside you, and it’s well worth the expense. An edited tape of your jump, with music to boot, is ready shortly after you’re back on the ground. Now you’ve got proof!

Is the operator a USPA member?

Skydiving is self-regulated, but the voice of the industry in America is the United States Parachute Association (USPA, www.uspa.org), an independent group that certifies 95 percent of U.S. drop zones. Members adhere to requirements concerning instructors and equipment, in addition to FAA aircraft regulations. "This doesn’t mean a non-USPA drop zone is dangerous, but that there may just be a procedural disagreement," says the USPA’s Kevin Gibson. Looking to skydive abroad? The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is a worldwide governing body for all air sports, including skydiving and parasailing. It lists links to drop zones around the globe at www.fai.org.

What’s a good place to jump?

Nervous first-timers should visit a drop zone they’re interested in on a Saturday afternoon to observe how things are run. Is it orderly or chaotic? Does the equipment appear new and clean? Talk to a few instructors and feel them out. If that doesn’t calm the butterflies in your belly, go elsewhere. Jason Petkunas, of Skydive Elsinore in southern California, offers another perspective: "All things being equal, I go for a better view."

How many "incidents" has the drop zone had?

"I wouldn’t say it’s a safe sport," says Dan Poynter, author of Parachuting: The Skydiver’s Handbook. "But often it’s safer to skydive than drive to the airport." Poynter's book estimates that there are 3.2 million jumps in the U.S. each year, and about 2,500 injuries—mostly sprained ankles or wrists—and 33 deaths.

What if something goes wrong?

These aren’t your granddaddy’s parachutes. All modern chutes have something called an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that, if necessary, will release the chute at a preset altitude (if the instructor, for whatever reason, hasn’t already). Plus, if the main chute malfunctions, an emergency unit opens automatically. "New parachutes are highly flyable machines," says Sazz McGreevey, of Skydive DeLand in Florida. "There’s an accelerator and a braking system to assist in landing."

Can I change my mind?

Most drop zones give a full refund until the moment you board the plane. After that, you aren’t required to jump but you’ll still pay for it. Skydive Chicago is one exception; if you get cold feet on the plane, you have 30 days to come back and try again at no extra charge. Once you leave the plane, however, there’s no going back.

         
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1. An Introduction to Deployable Recovery Systems
2. Parachutes
3. Stefan Banic 1870-1941
4. The First Jump
5. Deanna Kent Skydancer
6. An Abstract Medium
7. BASE jumping
8. Son, Skydiving is Dangerous
9. The Sky Is The Limit!
1. Deanna Kent Skydancer
2. Stefan Banic 1870-1941
3. An Introduction to Deployable Recovery Systems
4. Parachutes
5. BASE jumping
6. The First Jump
7. The Sky Is The Limit!
8. An Abstract Medium
9. Son, Skydiving is Dangerous
Map