What Do You Need to Go Skydiving for the First Time?

Interested in skydiving for the first time? Awesome – you’ve come to the right place! While we can’t wait to help you spread your wings, there are a few skydiving requirements you need to know before taking the leap.

Here’s a short list of things to consider if you’re someone who loves the idea of jumping out of an airplane mid-flight. Let’s GO! 

What You Need to Go Skydiving: Requirements

• Skydiving Age: The minimum age requirement for all United States Parachute Association (USPA) member dropzones is 18. Don’t forget to bring your valid, government-issued photo ID with you on jump day. Not yet 18 and want to scratch the itch? Feel free to come by Long Island Skydiving Center and catch a glimpse of all the excitement from the ground – we’re open late April to early October.
  
  
• Skydiving Weight: For the safety of all involved, our weight limit is 250 pounds – clothing and shoes included – and be height-to-weight proportionate. This has to do with the operation limits of airplanes and skydiving equipment. Both are developed through rigorous research, and manufacturers actually test and certify planes, harnesses, and parachutes for acceptable maximum weight limits. If you have any questions about this skydiving requirement, please connect with us.
  
  
• Health considerations: Skydiving isn’t exactly a ‘passive’ pastime. True, the majority of the work of the skydive is done by our first-rate instructors, but skydiving can put your body and brain through the ringer. Certain medical conditions like cardiovascular issues, pregnancy, diabetes, or joint issues can preclude you from skydiving. If you have any questions or concerns about your physical or medical ability to skydive, talk with a medical professional before booking a skydive.
  

What You Need to Go Skydiving: Additional Considerations

• Weather: A few puffy clouds provide a beautiful backdrop for your first-time tandem skydive (and any other time after, too!). However, we are required to follow strict weather requirements put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Skydiving is naturally a weather dependent sport, and unsafe skydiving conditions can be caused by low clouds, rain, high winds, and fog. Trust us, we want to skydive as much as you do, but we refuse to put you and our instructors at unnecessary risk.
  
  
• Clarity of Mind: We want you to have the best skydiving experience possible, and that means being fully present both mentally and physically. While having a bit of a buzz strolling the town in NYC or Long Island may be okay, it is a flat-out NO-NO for skydiving. We require our tandem skydivers to be COMPLETELY sober. That means no skydiving if you are hungover, on any substance that could affect judgment or performance, and DEFINITELY no skydiving if you are intoxicated (it won’t be a pleasant experience for you anyway). Save the party for after you land!
  
  
• Waivers and training: Be prepared to read and sign liability waivers when you arrive at the dropzone. It’s important that you have a full understanding of what you’re getting yourself into, and that you can certify your consent. We also won’t send you into the sky without proper training! Before getting into the plane, your instructor will teach you everything you need to know to have a successful jump. 

Oh, and while it’s an odd one, if you’ve recently gone SCUBA diving or donated blood, you’ll need to wait a few days before experiencing the thrill of freefall.

Skydiving for the First Time: What to Expect

While these aren’t necessarily official skydiving requirements, there are a few things that are helpful to know when planning your first jump.

• What to wear: Dress comfortably for the weather on the ground and come in clothes you don’t mind potentially getting a bit of grass or dirt on. When temperatures dip a bit, put on a pair of jeans or leggings and keep your top half cozy with a base layer and a fleece. For your feet, wear tennis shoes or other snug-fitting athletic footwear – shoes should have closed toes, flat bottoms, and no hooks.
  
  
• Training: Your instructor will go over every phase of the skydive, from take off to landing, and teach you all you need to know to enjoy your jump. Go in with an open mind, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and get ready to arch!
  
  
• The feeling of freefall: People are often surprised that falling through the sky doesn’t actually feel like falling at all. Freefall feels much more like windy floating, and you actually don’t experience the stomach drop butterflies of roller coaster hills during a skydive!
  
  
• Prepare to spend some time with us: Skydiving is an involved activity. Between check in, training, the jump, and possible weather holds, you could be with us for several hours. Bring snacks, water, and any comfort items you might need while you’re here! Just remember: no alcohol on the dropzone.
  

What You Need to Go Skydiving: Checklist

Phew, that was a lot. There’s so much to consider before going skydiving and it can feel overwhelming, so here’s an at-a-glance-list to answer, “What do you need to go skydiving?”

• Comfortable, athletic, weather-appropriate clothing (layers!)
• Closed-toe shoes (no sandals!)
• Valid, government-issued photo ID
• Any necessary medical documents
• Water and snacks (for before and after the jump)
• Appetite for adventure! 

Are you ready to leave the everyday behind? Even if you are still working up the courage to make your first jump, it’s okay! It’s natural. Nearly everyone is a bit nervous when they make their first skydive, but the feeling of euphoria that’s waiting on the other side makes it totally worth it.

If you’ve checked off every item on our list and are ready to find out just how great this skydiving thing is for yourself, give us a shout or book online!