How to Train for Sky Diving

Few sports can claim to be as exhilarating as sky diving. It can be a frightening prospect the first time you do it, but once you're out of the plane and falling through the sky, the view is incredible and almost everyone becomes a life-long enthusiast. You can't just step to the door and jump out, however! You need to train in order to go sky diving.

Things You'll Need

  • Parachute
  • Instruction
  • Sky diving clothes
  • Goggles
  • Altimeter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start with a tandem jump. A tandem jump is one in which instructor and student are harnessed to one another and jump using the same parachute. This is done to expose the student to the sensations of free fall without placing them in control of their descent.

    • 2

      Use the wind tunnel. A wind tunnel is important for training students how to keep their body stable through buffeting winds. Students can expect to train for an hour or more in the wind tunnel.

    • 3

      Proceed to solo free fall, in which (on the first jump) one or more instructors will hold you during free fall to help you control your descent, but you will be responsible for opening your own chute and piloting yourself to the drop zone.

    • 4

      Head to the USPA (United States Parachute Association) website and click the "Drop Zones" link on the menu bar (see Resources below). The "Drop Zones" link provides access to contact information for all of the USPA recognized sky diving training facilities in the country, as well as links to some international schools.

    • 5

      Visit DropZone.com to get access to initial safety tips, statistics and a general overview of the sport (see Resources below). You can also visit the forums and talk with other sky divers about potential sky diving locations.