The engines of the plane are turning, people are buzzing about the hangar, and foreign equipment lines the walls with rad pics of skydivers making their first jump. The world of skydiving is exhilarating from the moment of thinking of jumping from a plane, to the moment you step foot on the skydiving center. We at Ultimate Skydiving Adventures welcome you to this incredible sport in skydiving Colorado, and want to ensure you have a mega experience. Here we answer some of the top questions you didn’t know to ask about skydiving before you arrive!
Why Do I Have to Wear A Jumpsuit?
Quite simple. In tandem skydiving, we opt for a butt-slide landing (stand up landings are bonus). This is because landing with four legs is very much like a 3-legged race and both jumpers have different ideas on what to do. The butt-slide is most practical landing for tandems and are quite common. Our landing area is a dirt patch so wearing a jumpsuit will keep you clean as well as protect you from the elements. If it’s cold out, a jumpsuit adds an extra layer to help keep you warm. Plus – wearing a jumpsuit in skydiving is cool!
Why Don’t I Wear a Skydiving Helmet Jumping Tandem?
First things first. As a tandem passenger, you are harnessed in front of your instructor. If you wore a hard-shelled helmet, you have the potential of hitting your instructor in the head! For safety reasons, you will not wear a hard-shelled helmet.
With that being said – those with long hair – be sure to tie your hair back in braids, a tight bun, or bridled up ponytail!
If you’re thinking of getting certified skydiving, then there are a myriad of hard-shelled skydiving helmets. Many experienced skydivers choose to wear full-face helmets to protect their noggins, to place their audible altimeters in as many have internal pockets, and for a quieter freefall. However, there are open-faced helmets in which you will wear goggles, and/or a soft covered helmet called a frappe hat (although the less popular option).
Why Can’t I Bring My Own Go Pro?
Generally speaking, in order to jump any type of camera, it’s recommended to have a whole lot of experience. Skydiving is definitely a fun sport and yes, it’s a sport you want to document and share with your friends. However, skydiving is still a dangerous sport and as a tandem passenger, you have a big job of falling stable (which isn’t always as easy as it looks) and staying focused for your instructor for safety reasons. It also requires experience so you’re not distracted from your main objective: getting to the ground safely. Learning from experience, the national organization created a recommendation that jumpers have a minimum of 200 jumps and qualified training before wearing a camera while skydiving.
Not to worry! Since our instructors are well-qualified (having 10,000+ or more), they are able to jump with a camera to capture your skydive! We use high definition cameras that are extraordinarily clear and steady to bring your skydive to life! Your video and picture package will be ready the same day as your jump (or as late as the following morning) via a Dropbox link so you will have the digital masters to share! Check out our prices HERE!
Why Do We Ride Facing Backwards in the Plane?
Ya know, we never thought much of it until many of our previous customers asked! And a lot of them asked! We use Cessna 182’s and ride on the floor up to altitude. We sit facing backwards as it’s a more comfortable ride, better weight and balance for the plane to take off and fly, and it’s easier to climb out of the aircraft in that configuration.
Why Is My Harness Loose When I Sit Down in the Plane?
Goooood question! Yes, we get this a lot. In fact, we asked the same question when we were new!
When we tandem skydive, we fall belly-to-earth. When we fit you in the harness, it’s usually standing and then we have you practice your arched body position. If your harness is snug on you in this position, it’ll be snug in freefall. When we sit down, we’re doing the exact opposite of what we’re doing in the sky and the harness will feel loose. Once you’re connected to your instructor, it’ll feel snug again.
Goggles? Can I Have My Goggles?
Hah! Ok, we get a kick out of this because every skydiving student (even us in the beginning) worries about having their goggles for the jump! Fear not! It’s easy to lose track of the goggles so we attach them to the back of your harness so they are not lost. Lastly, we only put the goggles on just 1-2 minutes before the jump door opens to skydive. Putting them on to early only fogs them up and adds a level of stress and discomfort. An instructor’s job is to ensure you have what you need for the jump and goggles for you are a part of that checklist. So fear not if they don’t offer them to you until – what seems – like last minute.
Why Do You Lift Your Feet for Landing?
Lifting your feet for landing helps the possibility of you reaching down too early or getting your legs tangled with your instructor’s legs. The parachute has forward momentum and it is instinct to want to reach down to have your feet firmly back on earth. But most of the time, as newbies, it’s hard to judge what that touchdown point is, and often students reach down too early. Doing so has caused heel, ankle, and leg injuries. As you lift your legs, it clears the space so they can maneuver their legs as you both touch down. In short, it’s for safety.
Why a Butt Slide Landing?
Ideally, everyone wants to land on their feet skydiving. However, as we said earlier, tandem skydiving landing is similar to a 3-legged race. Hence the lifting of the legs and usually, the instructor will sweep their legs underneath and aim for a home run butt slide. This helps reduce the possibility of getting tangled up with your instructor. A stand-up landing is cool – not guaranteed – but they are a bonus when they happen.
If your heart is racing in excitement and you’re feeling the urge it’s time to skydive, give us a click or call and we’ll be happy to answer any more questions, or help you book for your first tandem skydive!
What are you waiting for? Come skydiving in Colorado with us!
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