Can I Skydive? Requirements for Your First Jump

Key Takeaways

There aren’t many requirements for your first tandem skydive, but those that do exist are there to keep everyone as safe as possible. You need to be at least 18 years old, no more than 260 lbs, and in good health. You’ll also need to be wearing proper clothing, sign a waiver, and bring valid, government-issued photo ID.

Table of Contents
What Are the Requirements for Skydiving?
Age Requirement
Weight & Fitness Requirements
Health & Medical Requirements
Who is Not Allowed to Skydive?
Clothing & Gear Requirements
Paperwork & Legal Requirements
Do’s and Don’ts for First Time Skydivers
Mental & Emotional Readiness
Do You Qualify?

What Are the Requirements for Skydiving?

Almost any adult can make a skydive, which is a big part of what makes the skydiving community so awesome. With so few skydiving requirements, our community is a diverse group all bonded by our mutual love for the sky. However, the requirements that do exist, such as age, weight, health, ID, and clothing rules, exist for a reason. We’ll explore each requirement below, explaining both the “what” and the “why” of each.

Age Requirement

How old do you have to be to skydive? In order to make a skydive at a United States Parachute Association (USPA) affiliated dropzone, you must be 18 or older; no exceptions. In some other countries, you might find dropzones with lower age restrictions on skydiving with a consenting legal guardian.

However, in the United States, parental permission isn’t an option. This is primarily because the most popular tandem gear manufacturer in the U.S. doesn’t approve their gear for minors, and all skydiving dropzones and instructors must follow manufacturer instructions.

That being said, we love welcoming 18-year-olds celebrating their birthdays at our dropzone – and what a way to transition into adulthood!

Weight & Fitness Requirements

While various dropzones might have slight variations in skydiving weight limits, it’s generally the same across the board. Skydive STL’s weight limits are no more than 200 lbs for a standard skydive. However, we’ll take jumpers up to 260 lbs with certain conditions. 

These skydiving height and weight restrictions exist because weight impacts gear, aircraft, and instructor safety. It’s harder on the gear, costs more in fuel, limits how many people can be on the plane, and it’s more challenging for the instructor.

Plus, no matter your weight, you’ll have to meet certain fitness requirements. In order to skydive, a baseline level of flexibility is necessary. You must be able to lift your legs in the air for landing to avoid risk of injury to both you and your instructor.

Health & Medical Requirements

Skydiving is a thrilling experience of high-speed freefall followed by a parachute deployment and landing. In order for this to be an enjoyable experience, you need to be in good health.

What conditions can you not skydive with? Generally, if you have any serious heart conditions or back issues, have had recent surgery, or are pregnant, you may not be allowed to skydive for your own safety. You should check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions – especially if they involve the heart, back, neck, or lungs.

Who Is Not Allowed to Skydive?

You absolutely cannot skydive if you are under 18, are above the weight limits, or have certain medical restrictions. This is for the safety of both you and your instructor.

Clothing & Gear Requirements

Skydiving is a sport, so dress accordingly. Athletic clothes (think: leggings, sweatpants) and sneakers are the best choice. Absolutely do not wear sandals, jewelry, loose items, or GoPros (and other cameras). These items can either get lost or snag onto the gear, posing a serious safety risk. If you’d like to have video footage of your skydive, our highly trained instructors will record your jump!

Paperwork & Legal Requirements

Before your skydive, you will be required to sign a waiver. The waiver serves two purposes: first, it ensures all participants read and acknowledge the risk involved in making a skydive. Second, it releases liability from the dropzone and its staff in case of any harm that may occur.

In order to sign a waiver, you’ll be required to present valid, government-issued photo ID. Your ID will be used to prove both your identity and your age, as you must be at least 18 years old to enter a legally binding contract. Plus, you have to be 18 years old to skydive anyway.

Do’s and Don’ts for First-Time Skydivers

Looking for a quick list of dos and don’ts for skydiving?

Do:

• Listen to your instructor
• Dress appropriately
• Be honest about your health
• Eat a light meal and stay hydrated

Don’t:

• Ignore instructions
• Drink more caffeine than normal
• Drink alcohol or use drugs beforehand
• Forget your ID
  

Mental & Emotional Readiness

While mental and emotional readiness looks different in everyone, the right mindset before a skydive is part of being “ready.” Feeling nervous is okay! It’s important to say yes to new, unique experiences, even if they scare you. The best mindset to have when skydiving is to embrace your fear, accepting it as part of the fun.

However, it’s also important to address any anxiety. If you are someone who struggles with calming techniques like deep breathing, it may be helpful to develop some of those before making your first skydive.

Mental and emotional readiness stems from some physical choices, too. To help your emotional resilience, we recommend drinking enough water, getting a good night’s sleep, avoiding too much caffeine, and having a light, balanced meal beforehand.

Do You Qualify?

So, what are the rules of skydiving? You need to be at least 18 years old, no more than 260 lbs, and in good health. You’ll also need to be wearing proper clothing, sign a waiver, and bring valid, government-issued ID.

So, do you qualify? If so, we can’t wait to take you skydiving. Book your jump now at Skydive STL! Blue skies!