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Skydiving FAQs: All Your Queries Answered
Q. How long does the skydiving process take?
A. On average, skydiving takes around 5-7 minutes from the time you jump from the plane to when you land. An additional 20 minutes are spent in the airplane getting to a suitable drop zone.
Q. Can you drink the night before skydiving?
A. No. You shouldn't have any alcohol or drugs in your system at least 24 hours before going for a tandem skydive.
Q. Can you breathe when you skydive?
A. Contrary to popular opinion, you can breathe normally while skydiving! Even in freefall, when you're falling at a speed of up to 160mph, you'll get plenty of oxygen to breathe.
Q. How fast do you hit the ground when skydiving?
A. If the deployment is normal, you'll experience a couple of seconds of high-speed deceleration, in the realm of 3 to 4 g. This happens as the parachute slows the descent from 120 mph to around 17 mph.
Q. What is the best time for skydiving?
A. The best time of day to skydive is during the morning when the sky is clear and the ground visible.
Q. How dangerous is skydiving?
A. In terms of statistics, out of the estimated 3 million jumps per year, the fatality count is only 13. That's a 0.0004% chance of dying from a skydive, compared to a 0.0167% chance of dying in a car accident.
Q. Can you wear glasses when skydiving?
A. Yes, you can either wear glasses or contacts. Most skydiving centers provide special goggles designed for individuals who wear glasses or contact lenses.
Q. Can you skydive in jeans?
A. While you are free to wear jeans while skydiving, it's not recommended. Since you are already tightly strapped into the harness, wearing jeans can be quite uncomfortable.
Q. What is the weight requirement for skydiving?
A.While it's different for every skydiving center, the average weight limit for a tandem passenger is approximately 200-220 pounds for women and 230-250 pounds for men.
Q. How high do you go when skydiving?
A. The standard skydiving altitude is approximately 12,500 feet AGL (Above Ground Level). The height can shoot up to 18,000 feet depending on the altitude of the drop zone, type of jump, and type of aircraft.
Q. Do you feel your stomach drop when skydiving?
A. No, instead of feeling like you're falling, you'll feel like you're flying, which shouldn't make your stomach drop.
Q. Can you hit a bird while skydiving?
A. The chances of hitting a bird while in freefall are nearly impossible in most areas. This is because a vast majority of birds do not fly high enough to come in your way.
Q. Can you eat before skydiving?
A. Yes, you should definitely eat before skydiving. If you don't eat, your blood sugar will drop and make you feel woozy and uncomfortable during your jump. Eat sensibly before skydiving and avoid heavy foods.
Q. Can I wear a GoPro while skydiving?
A. The only safe way to wear a GoPro while skydiving is with a skydiving mount on a skydiving helmet. Check with the skydiving center to see if they can help you with setting up a GoPro.
Q. Do tandem skydivers have backup parachutes?
A. Yes, every certified skydiving system is equipped with a backup parachute that can be used in case the primary one fails to launch.
