How to Prepare For Your First Skydive
Friday, August 16, 2019
What a strange pop quiz you’re facing
How, exactly, to prepare for the experience of jumping out of an airplane. How the heck does one approach that gonzo task, anyway?! No worries — we’re the experts, and we’re here to give you a seven-point checklist to help you navigate the path from ground to sky.
1. Make sure you meet the requirements to skydive
At Skydive STL, the total, maximum weight limit for a tandem passenger is 260 pounds, with a $1-per-pound charge over 200lbs. We have to enforce this very strict weight limit to ensure the fit and safety of the tandem harness; because the harness fits different builds differently, we always have to work case-by-case.
Otherwise, tandem skydiving has a surprisingly short list of dealbreaker medical conditions. To be sure that a preexisting condition wouldn’t present a danger, do bring it up to us — and your doctor. (You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised with a “yes, you can make a skydive!”)
2. Make your reservation
Just like it might be possible to walk up to an airport and buy a ticket for the next flight (but it’s such a gamble that hardly anyone does it), you should make a reservation to go tandem skydiving. While it is sometimes possible to walk up and skydive, it isn’t always, and we wouldn’t want to see you make the drive in vain.
3. Get your 40 winks
Sleeping well the night before a skydive is a very good idea. If you know you might have trouble falling asleep, what with all those butterflies, take the same precautions against insomnia that you’d take the nervous night before any big life event. Great “beauty sleep” will make your skydive even better.
4. Eat moderately (and pack healthy snacks for the day)
Skydiving on an empty stomach is no fun. Skydiving on a full stomach is no fun, either. Think of your skydive as a moderate athletic event, and behave as such. Along those lines: Eat normally, moderately and nutritiously. Arrive hydrated (but don’t drink alcohol, or you won’t be allowed on the plane). When you pack in the morning for your tandem skydiving adventure, make sure to bring along soft drinks and a few healthy snacks.
5. Dress for success
You wouldn’t wear a sundress and flip-flops to a 10k, would you? Then don’t make a similar mistake when you dress for your tandem skydive. Wear thin, close-fitting, athletic layers and bring along extras just in case. It’s best, in fact, to pop a dropzone jumpsuit over your street clothes: it’ll keep the fabric of your clothing in check, and prevent any grass stains from cramping your style. Click here for more tips on how to dress for skydiving.
6. Be ready for a wait.
We often have to wait for skydiving-safe weather — it’s an integral part of the sport. To be sure you’re prepared, bring reading material (and/or games!) just in case there’s a wait. And don’t forget your phone charger!
7. Remember to breathe!
This is by far the best advice we can give you. From the moment you step into that incredible little aircraft that’s taking you right out of your comfort zone to the moment you realize you’re flying (and beyond!) breathe. Breathe, deeply and often. Deep, calming breaths will turbocharge your jump and allow you to be fully present for every beautiful moment. Remember: You’re not the first to be scared, and you won’t be the last.
Now that you know how to prepare for skydiving, are you ready to give it a try?
