Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Skydiving Schools and What you Should Know

By Bobbie McKee

If you want to skydive, you have to learn a few things before make the jump and what better place to learn this is in a skydiving school or center.

There are skydiving schools spread out in the US. You can find one by looking for it using the web. From there, you can visit them and ask about their rates.

People who are new to skydiving cannot jump from a plane by themselves. They have to undergo ground training first and jump with an instructor. The most common example is tandem skydiving where the instructor is strapped to the back of the newbie and they make the jump. The newbie does not do anything except enjoy the view until they reach the ground.

For those who want become a licensed skydiver, the next step is to learn how to jump off a plane and then pulling the cord. Before you can do that, you will be introduced to static line jumping where your backpack is attached to a cord that will automatically deploy your parachute once you get off the plane.

After a few jumps, you will now pull a cord that does not activate anything but simulate the release of the parachute. Once you have completed, you will now do the real thing.

But if you want to skip that and get your skydiver's license, you can do so by enrolling the AFF or the accelerated free fall. After jumping off the plane and free falling for about 50 seconds, you will deploy your parachute then slowly make it to the ground. This program is much cheaper in the long run and more fun compared to the static line method.

Making it back on the ground safely is not the only basis to say that you are on your way to getting your license. Most skydiving schools offer videos so they can show you what happened. If there are any mistakes, you can take note of it so this will not happen again.

As added safety measure for those who are new to this extreme sport, most skydiving schools attach a computerized automatic activation device to your parachute in the event that you have not yet opened your parachute.

Skydiving only lasts about a minute before you have to deploy the parachute. Aside from teaching how to do deploy it, the skydiving school will also teach you how to steer your parachute as it takes 4 to 5 minutes to get back on the ground. You will also learn how to land softly so you don't sprain an ankle or get a bruise.

The parachute that you deploy when you go skydiving is reusable. This means you don't have to buy a new one so all you have to do is know how to pack it. That is also another lesson you will learn in skydiving school because a good skydiver should also learn how to take care of their own equipment.

One thing that skydiving school will not be able to teach you is to get rid of your fear jumping from an aircraft. Yes it is scary the first time and a few more after that but if you are able to suck it up, you will be able to enjoy the experience.

Who knows? This may even encourage you to join this sport regularly and not a recreational activity.

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