Skydiving Facts: The Bizarre, Impressive and Inspiring!

Learn some interesting skydiving facts!

Before you plan your skydiving experience, sink your teeth into a whole variety of skydiving facts -- some interesting, some shocking and some plain weird!

• It's a competition!: Skydiving is a full-fledged sport and is no longer a once-in-a-lifetime activity. Some people indulge in skydiving every week as a  lifestyle and a hobby. There are skydiving competitions organized around the world for advanced jumpers as well.
• Literally anyone can skydive: Anyone over 18 years of age is qualified to go skydiving. The only exceptions are pregnant women, those with heart conditions etc. The best part is, even persons with disabilities can go skydiving.
• It's super safe: Contrary to popular belief, skydiving is one of the safest extreme sports. In 2015, 4.2 million people went skydiving and there were a total of 21 fatalities.  That's 0.005 fatalities per every 1000 jumps!
• Busting some myths: A common misconception about skydiving is that it resembles a roller coaster. On the contrary, it is one of the most peaceful experiences they have ever had. Your stomach won't drop as it does during a roller coaster. Instead, you'll feel cold waves gently on your face as the ground beneath you becomes clearer.
• Jay Stokes for the win!: The world record for the most skydives completed on a calendar day is held by Jay Stokes. He finished a whopping 640 skydives in a single day, clocking in around 27 skydives per hour. The feat was performed from an altitude of 2100 feet and Stokes would land on the ground only to strap on the next parachute and run back to the plane again. The record helped raise money for charity and forever etched Stokes' name in the world of skydiving.
• Photography in the air: Have you wondered how skydivers click those amazing photos and videos? With their mouths! Experienced skydivers trigger the camera shutter with their mouths, with one of three methods: blow switch, bite switch and tongue switch.
• The first skydive: The first skydive was carried out in 1797 by Andre-Jacques Garnerin, inventor of the parachute. The first woman to ever skydive Georgina Broadwick, way back in 1913. Surprisingly, Paul Lutge, the youngest ever tandem skydiver was only four years old at the time of this first jump.
• The highest skydive: The highest ever recorded skydive was carried out by Captain Kittinger in 1960. He jumped from a height of 102,800 feet. This record was broken much later, in 2012, by the legendary Felix Baumgartner who jumped from a height of 128,100 -- successfully also breaking the sound barrier.  
• Skydive tattoos: Ever thought of getting a tattoo? A skydiver not only got one, but got the initials ‘WFFT’ tattooed while in air! It stands for World’s First Freefall Tattoo.