Skydiving Myths

Besides the actual fear of chutes not opening, or simply facing the fear of moving through the air so quickly at such heights, many people choose not to partake in skydiving simply because of things they have heard about the extreme sport, most of which is not true. Here are some of those myths and the truth behind them.

1.) You can’t breathe while freefalling. While the sheer beauty may take your breath away for a few seconds, you can absolutely breathe during freefall.

2.) Having a conversation during freefall is possible. This is not possible as you are simply moving too quickly and the wind is too loud to be able to hear anything else.

3.) You can hold onto somoene with an open chute and land safely. The person with the open chute will land safely but the body jerks a lot when the chute opens and the person hanging on would be thrown off.

4.) Freefalls take about 5 minutes. Freefalls actually only last about 35 seconds due to the fact that skydive planes don’t travel high enough for anything else.

Knee Positions

Some may wonder why you would ever want to fly through the air on your knees but for beginners who want to get comfortable not only being in the air but doing cool stuff while you’re up there, this is a great, easy trick to begin with. Being on your knees also allows you more control as your knees actually provide a surface for the wind and allows you to move just about wherever you want to go!

To get into knee-flying position, hold your torso straight up with your knees slightly bent. Make sure that your thighs are almost horizontal to the ground and that the knees are spread almost as far apart as you can get them. Your knees should be tucked back far enough to almost touch your rear or they can be spread out by your thighs, whichever is easiest. Keeping your arms outstretched or up in the air will help with balance and again, it’s whatever’s most comfortable.

When getting into the knee position from the air, try to pull the torso vertical to the ground and think about something pulling you up from your arms. Don’t lean too far into the wind as this will cause you to fall backward. To change direction, point your knees in the direction you want to go and pull your torso in the opposite direction. It may take a few tries but you’ll get the hang of it and will soon have mastered a new skydiving trick!

Ideas for Skydiving Tattoos

Those who like extreme sports such as skydiving are also very often the same people that will be the first in line for other extreme activities, such as getting a tattoo. Here are some great ideas if you have thought about placing your passion on your skin!

- Parachutists used to, and often still do, call “Geronimo” as they jump out of the plane. Geronimo was actually an ancient Indian chief and one very creative skydiving tattoo idea is to show a depiction of the Chief himself jumping out of a plane while yelling your name!

- A calming tattoo could show a skydiver making his peaceful descent with his colorful parachute ballooning behind him, all against a multi-colored sky!

- Show a jumper in the middle of your favorite trick or show a diver jumping with an expression on his face that you think captures the experience of skydiving: panic, enlightenment, happiness, etc.

The choices are truly yours and this is one that you’ll want to put a lot of thought into as it will show others your true passion!

Which helmet should you choose?

One of the most vital pieces of equipment in skydiving is the helmet that you wear. Not only does it protect your head in the event of a bumpy landing but it also protects your eyes and ears from the wind that will be rushing past them. When buying a first helmet, it’s best to talk to a number of people who are heavily involved in the sport to see what brands and styles feel the most comfortable and what the different features are of some of the most popular helmets.

When it comes to the type of helmet that is worn, it is really the wearer’s preference. Most skydiving helmets are a simple helmet with a chin strap and the face is left open with goggles that are attached to the helmet to protect the eyes. Another type of helmet is one where there are no goggles because the front consists of an entire clear plastic face shield. Some skydivers prefer this type of helmet because the lack of goggles means that the view is completely unobstructed and those who wear glasses may also find the full-face helmets more comfortable.

The most important thing to remember when looking for a skydiving helmet is to remember that safety comes first, comfort is second, and price is third. This is simply one area where you can’t skimp on the price!

The Rules of the Sky

It’s unfortunate but as much fun as skydiving it, there are rules here that still must be followed. Although you may be excited about gearing up and running for the nearest plane that can soar you into the skies, it’s important to get your head out of the clouds long enough to see that you are prepared. Here are a few simple tips that could save you headaches and hassles once you get to the site:

1.) It is usually required that skydivers are 18 years of age. This is for any type of skydiving, for most sites and can not generally use a parent’s signature as granted permission to skydive.

2.) Most sites have a weight limit, which is generally around 250 pounds, that should guests weigh over that, they will not be allowed to jump.

3.) Wear clothes that are comfortable and practical. While it may not seem like a huge deal to be sitting in the air with high-heels on, it will become a major problem upon landing. Remember that you are participating in a sport and should dress appropriately so.

4.) If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them along for your jump. You have to wear goggles anyway and so, you’re glasses will not only be kept safe but they will allow you to fully enjoy every beautiful moment!

Cherish the Memories

There are some things in life that only happen once and although they are truly unforgettable experiences, you want to get them down on film so that you can truly cherish the memory forever. Skydiving is one such experience and not only is having your first jump videotaped doable, it’s completely encouraged by most sites that provide skydiving jumps, especially the places that serve clientele that are mostly coming for a once-in-a-lifetime experience rather than clientele that do it as a regular hobby.

There are generally two types of videos offered and the site you jump from may offer one or both. One video includes on-ground interviews before and after the jump and videotapes you from the ground as you jump and then land in a group of all your friends and family. The second type of video requires that the videographer jump with you and they have a special camera that can tape you in the air. Whichever you choose will depend on your own preferences but this is definitely a great way to always have something to remember such a great experience with!

Go! Sports Skydiving

The game Go! Sports Skydiving brought by Playstation 3 this past February has been getting rave reviews ever since its release. This game allows one to experience just about everything you can with skydiving including group formations, battle modes, solo jumps, team match, and landing techniques! There are so many ways to play this awesome game including four different ways to play online and two different ways to play offline. The graphics in this game are truly incredible and not only are the colors vibrant but the detail is so great that, combined with the rushing feeling you get only when jumping, you will truly feel as though you’re falling through the air!

How Much Will Skydiving Cost?

There’s no doubt that as an extreme sport, skydiving can become pretty costly when you factor in air time, equipment, and whatever other fees can often be accumulated through the different flying clubs. Yes, skydiving can be expensive but once you have paid the initial fee, it can really become quite reasonable and there’s often no need to even invest in any of that hardcore, extreme equipment unless you’re going to be taking up skydiving as more than just an occasional hobby. Most clubs will offer a beginner’s package, which will generally consist of a few minutes training, some equipment, and the actual jump, it will generally cost around £100. Any jumps after that usually hover around the £40 mark and the higher the plane climbs, the higher the price does as well. Skydiving doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s important to remember that whatever you lose in coin, you are rewarded with the thrill that only a jump can provide!

Hypnosis and Skydiving

While it’s generally not a good idea to be under hypnosis while jumping out of a plane, more and more people who are eager to skydive but too overcome by fear to do it often (or at all) are turning to an alternative therapy to help them get over their phobeas and take the great leap. This therapy is hypnosis and like any other kind of hypnosis, it uses power of suggestion to help one better manage their fear. Whether it works or not may be for you to decide.

While hypnosis is not meant to treat anxieties or depression of severe types, it has been found that hypnosis for something temporary and that, in the end, is really a lot of fun, can be quite effective. Some even just like to use it just the first time to get over that initial fear of the unknown. However, it’s also important to remember that one of the best ways to overcome a fear of skydiving is to just suit up and do it! Being up there a few times is enough to prove anyone that it’s perfectly safe and a perfect thrill!

The Very First Skydiving

Although many think that skydiving began during World War II, it’s history can actually be dated back to a much earlier time than this. It was in twelfth century China that the very first documentation of skydiving was recorded. Of course, the lack of planes made it impossible for this form of skydiving to be thought of as what we know of it today but there’s evidence that groups of people would at this time form themselves in a fashion that would allow them to fall safely to the ground. Leonardo da Vinci, among all of his other famous work, was also known for creating the first design of a parachute. The parachute that he had designed showed a wooden design.

Skydiving is a sport that is constantly evolving as enthusiasts and skydiving manufacturers continue to make great advancements. One has to wonder after considering these early forms of skydiving how long it will take for our descendants to consider our equipment and methods ancient?

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