What You Need to Know About Skydiving & Your Health

Before embarking on any adventure, you’ll need to be prepared. Many whip up a checklist of sorts before heading out to see what the big, bold world has to offer, making sure they have everything they need to tackle every eventuality.

Before skydiving, you may have taken time to sit down and plan your upcoming adventure by writing up a series of things to have in order before making your way to Long Island Skydiving Center. There are probably the usual items on your checklist: weather, what to wear, and what to expect.

But what about your health? When you’re considering skydiving, it’s important to remember, skydiving is a sport, and a potentially intense one at that.

That being said, even if you have some pre-existing medical conditions, skydiving might not be an adventure you have to forgo. Of course, our advice is not to take the place of the counsel of a medical professional. However, in our nearly 20 years of operation, we’ve seen a lot. If you have a special case we do not cover below, please reach out, and we will be more than happy to help.

1. Can you skydive pregnant?

While many bump-sporting, pregnant licensed skydivers continue to take to the sky with a bun in the oven, if you are a first-time tandem student, it is best to refrain until your little one has made his/her debut. While every pregnancy is different, the physiological changes experienced by the female body during pregnancy put a woman at an increased risk to sustain injury, especially if an unexperienced jumper during a tandem skydive. Why is this?

During pregnancy, your body is flooded with hormones. The two most notable hormones as it relates to our discussion are relaxin and progesterone. These two hormones result in loosened ligaments and diminished musculoskeletal cohesion. These hormones make it easier to deliver a baby, but much riskier to participate in tandem skydiving for the first time. Because of the substantial liability for all involved, if you are pregnant, you will likely be asked to refrain from skydiving for the first time.

2. Height/Weight

Because skydiving falls under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration, the gear used for skydiving is given a TSO, or a minimum performance standard issued for specified materials, parts and appliances. This TSO also sets a maximum amount of weight that the equipment can bear. For the safety of all involved, at Long Island Skydiving Center we have a maximum weight limit of 250 lbs. In order for the harness to fit correctly and to be optimally comfortable, we also recommend that you are height and weight proportionate. If you are over 250 lbs or have any questions, please give us a call.

3. Age

While, per the mandate of the United States Parachute Association’s Group Members (which we are one), you need to be 18 years of age or older to participate in parachuting activities, in certain cases, like for the Make a Wish Foundation, this requirement has been waived.

On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve seen plenty a centenarian make a skydive. While there is an age minimum, if you are in reasonable health, there is no age maximum for a first time tandem skydive.

4. Epilepsy

Around 3.4 million individuals have active epilepsy. While active epilepsy may restrict or limit the activities individuals with the condition may participate in, it is still possible for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy to take flight with a tandem skydive.

5. Bad Back/ “Bad” Body Parts

From a life well-lived, you’ve probably got a few body parts that aren’t quite up to snuff. Typically, with a tandem skydive, the landings are done with ease, and the speed of freefall rarely tweaks the body. In part, this is because of the direct supervision and guidance on landing you receive from our highly experienced USPA rated tandem instructors. However, there is still the risk of injury. Depending on the severity of your pre-existing condition, you may want to have a chat with us first.

Though please note, if you have any concerns that require direct counsel, please be sure to consult with your primary healthcare physician first before making a tandem skydive.

All in all, our aim is to help you experience life to the fullest and have a safe and fun first-time skydive with Long Island Skydiving Center.