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Skydiving: Parachutes, Aircraft, Drop Zone, Training And Safety
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Published: October 25, 2007
Among "extreme" sports, skydiving is probably the one that the average person is most likely to do. Also known as parachute jumping, skydiving caught on as a sport despite not being designed as such. The concept of parachutes has been around since Leonardo DaVinci, though all the early designs required a sturdy frame.
The first "soft" parachutes came along in 1793, and over the next 100 years, the technology improved enough that skydiving became practical in the 20th century. Skydiving has been used by the military as a way of deploying troops, but became increasingly popular over the last few decades as a recreational sport. The allure of skydiving is not hard to see; it's the closest that humans can get to the realm of birds. Because the body reaches terminal velocity during the fall, one does not have a sensation of falling. The movement of the body can be controlled with practice, allowing skydiving to be an exhilarating, artful experience.
Given the nature of the activity, safety is of top concern. One cannot simply go skydiving out of a private aircraft; reservations must be made at a drop zone, and training is always required before any jumps can be made. Indeed, the inherent danger is perhaps the biggest appeal of skydiving, though it is a danger that must be properly managed.
Most skydiving fatalities are not from faulty equipment; typically poor decisions and bad techniques lead to unfortunate accidents. Parachutes can be tricky to manage at first, especially when certain wind conditions are present. The landing is also a dangerous time; bad landing techniques can lead to fatalities despite properly functioning parachutes. The biggest concern, though, is managing the intense adrenaline rush of the first few jumps. Falling to earth is not the best time to be figuring out how to pull the ripcord; become certified before making a classic free fall jump. To this end, there are several certified training methods for the average consumer.
Tandem skydiving is the most common and most inexpensive way to experience the sport. In this method, the student and the certified skydiver jump together in a single harness, with the teacher doing all of the work. Tandem skydiving does not require as much instruction time as other methods, and is perhaps the most accessible option. Static line training involves a longer series of solo jumps, gradually increasing in altitude and free fall time.
Accelerated free fall, a more recent program, is a quicker and more intense way of leaning the sport. After a lot of instruction time on the ground, the student makes the first jump from the aircraft with two qualified instructors holding on and assisting throughout the free fall. Because the jump is from a high altitude and with a lot of free fall time, the student learns about body position and altitude awareness from the very beginning.
Not all drop zones are the same; be sure they have a good safety record, and be sure their instructors are properly qualified. Certification by both equipment makers and the USPA is recommended. Skydiving has a lot of risks that must be managed well, but with good safety precautions, it can be the experience of a lifetime.
Sources:
"Be Aware of the Risk and Requirements." Dropzone.com. 8 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page .cgi?ID=513.
Bellis, Mary. "History of the Parachute." About.com. 2007. New York Times Company. 25 Oct 2007. http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/ss/ Parachute.htm.
"Choose a Method of Skydiving Training." Dropzone.com. 7 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/content/Detailed/514.html.
"Find a Reputable Drop Zone." Dropzone.com. 6 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/content/Detailed/515.html.
"Frequently Asked Questions." Skydiving.com. 2005. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.skydiving.com/faq.html.
Given the nature of the activity, safety is of top concern. One cannot simply go skydiving out of a private aircraft; reservations must be made at a drop zone, and training is always required before any jumps can be made. Indeed, the inherent danger is perhaps the biggest appeal of skydiving, though it is a danger that must be properly managed.
Most skydiving fatalities are not from faulty equipment; typically poor decisions and bad techniques lead to unfortunate accidents. Parachutes can be tricky to manage at first, especially when certain wind conditions are present. The landing is also a dangerous time; bad landing techniques can lead to fatalities despite properly functioning parachutes. The biggest concern, though, is managing the intense adrenaline rush of the first few jumps. Falling to earth is not the best time to be figuring out how to pull the ripcord; become certified before making a classic free fall jump. To this end, there are several certified training methods for the average consumer.
Tandem skydiving is the most common and most inexpensive way to experience the sport. In this method, the student and the certified skydiver jump together in a single harness, with the teacher doing all of the work. Tandem skydiving does not require as much instruction time as other methods, and is perhaps the most accessible option. Static line training involves a longer series of solo jumps, gradually increasing in altitude and free fall time.
Accelerated free fall, a more recent program, is a quicker and more intense way of leaning the sport. After a lot of instruction time on the ground, the student makes the first jump from the aircraft with two qualified instructors holding on and assisting throughout the free fall. Because the jump is from a high altitude and with a lot of free fall time, the student learns about body position and altitude awareness from the very beginning.
Not all drop zones are the same; be sure they have a good safety record, and be sure their instructors are properly qualified. Certification by both equipment makers and the USPA is recommended. Skydiving has a lot of risks that must be managed well, but with good safety precautions, it can be the experience of a lifetime.
Sources:
"Be Aware of the Risk and Requirements." Dropzone.com. 8 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page .cgi?ID=513.
Bellis, Mary. "History of the Parachute." About.com. 2007. New York Times Company. 25 Oct 2007. http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/ss/ Parachute.htm.
"Choose a Method of Skydiving Training." Dropzone.com. 7 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/content/Detailed/514.html.
"Find a Reputable Drop Zone." Dropzone.com. 6 Oct 2004. D4DR Media. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.dropzone.com/content/Detailed/515.html.
"Frequently Asked Questions." Skydiving.com. 2005. 25 Oct 2007. http://www.skydiving.com/faq.html.
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