Going skydiving what should I expect?

[sze5003]

Gonna go skydiving for my buddy's birthday in a month. Always wanted to do this but I'm unsure of what to expect. Does it feel like when you first start falling down on a rollercoaster with that weird feeling in the stomach ? Should be fun as long as the chute deploys.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

The chute to open.

 

[homebrew2ny]

I take it you are doing a tandem jump, just going for the ride? Be prepared to have a delicious feast of fear, exhilaration, adrenalin rush, and be prepared to ride the wind! Seriously though, just remember to breath and have fun. I have 2 tandem and 10 solo's under my belt, never felt closer to death or more alive!

To be honest, it is best if you simply do not try and put what may happen in a 'box', just embrace and enjoy the experience when it comes.

 

[destrekor]

A moment or many of free fall. Cheek flappage.

 

[Greenman]

I'd guess falling, then sort of soaring, with some guys package in your ass and his lips on your ear.

 

[Eug]

Tandem or static line? Either way, not the safest sport in the world...

BTW, the weekend I went, a skydiver at another school died.

Oh and when I landed from my jump, I landed on the runway (not intentionally), with a plane landing. I had to run and gather the chute and run off the runway before the propeller chopped me to bits.

 

[SKORPI0]

For the first timer jumper you'll be attached with someone else who's done it several times. Usually a hour or so demonstration showing how to jump off the plane, position your hand and feet while diving is in progress for a few seconds, and how to land safely. Bring a video camera mounted to your head/wrist if possible. Enjoy the ride.

 

[destrekor]

Gonna go skydiving for my buddy's birthday in a month. Always wanted to do this but I'm unsure of what to expect. Does it feel like when you first start falling down on a rollercoaster with that weird feeling in the stomach ? Should be fun as long as the chute deploys.

In a more serious note: it will be like the divine rollercoaster of the gods, if one must compare it to a rollercoaster.

I cannot offer a description of the adrenaline rush and absolute terror and excitement that accompanies jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
I have never done it.
Oh how I've wanted to, since forever.
Alas, I have never felt like I've been able to afford it when I've looked into it. But I can assure it, it will be an experience that tops all else.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If at first you don't succeed, you'll have a short career in skydiving.

The first couple of seconds are like a roller coaster drop as you're accelerating and the G-forces build. After that, have you ever driven 100+mph and stuck your arm out a car window? Kind of similar, just over your entire body. It's worth doing once for the experience and to be able to say you did it. After that, the allure wears off and it gets really expensive.

 

[Eug]

For the first timer jumper you'll be attached with someone else who's done it several times. Usually a hour or so demonstration showing how to jump off the plane, position your hand and feet while diving is in progress for a few seconds, and how to land safely. Bring a video camera mounted to your head/wrist if possible. Enjoy the ride.

I was a first time jumper, and not tandem. Mine was static line.

In a more serious note: it will be like the divine rollercoaster of the gods, if one must compare it to a rollercoaster.

I cannot offer a description of the adrenaline rush and absolute terror and excitement that accompanies jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
I have never done it.
Oh how I've wanted to, since forever.
Alas, I have never felt like I've been able to afford it when I've looked into it. But I can assure it, it will be an experience that tops all else.

To be quite honest, I found it kinda fun, but only moderately exciting (with snowboarding more exciting), and definitely not terrifying... until I landed in front of a landing plane. YMMV.

BTW, most of it, after the initial jump was like a calm carnival ride. With the chute open seconds after the jump (because of the static line), it was just a leisurely ride down to earth, in total quiet, except for the instructions for chute control I got from the radio in my helmet. The last few seconds make you realize it's not that leisurely though, so you have to remember to fall correctly or else you'll break your leg.

 

[MongGrel]

The chute to open.

+10

 

[sze5003]

Yea I'm going to finally do it, I've always talked to my friends to see if they would want to go but none of them will. It will cost me about $150 I think somewhere in Jersey. Going to ask my friends if I can borrow their go pro camera to record it. I should have one of them by now since I've had a bike for a while but I don't think they like people with cameras on the helmets driving down the road.

 

[Kyle]

I did it in Hawaii- paid extra for a longer free fall/higher altitude. It was fun- it was LOUD - there's a reason all the instructors wear ear plugs.

Other than that- very fun, I'd do it again.

 

[Kyle]

I'll also add- for me, I did not get the roller coaster stomach thing

 

[clamum]

I really want to go this summer. I've kinda wanted to for years but I'm gonna finally do it, even if I have to go by myself.

 

[jagec]

More wind than I expected in freefall. Be sure to look at the camera, you're probably only going to do it once, so you'd better get some good pictures out of it.

 

[lozina]

Wear depends.

 

[Printer Bandit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA0XXgxSp84

go without a chute

 

[Kyle]

I really want to go this summer. I've kinda wanted to for years but I'm gonna finally do it, even if I have to go by myself.

That's what I did- I had a few people say they wanted to go but when you actually started to make plans it never worked out. I didn't but the pic/video package so all I have is a certificate but that's fine- really was just doing it for me anyways.

 

[Mai72]

If Miley Cyrus can do it so can you!

 

[Mai72]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA0XXgxSp84

go without a chute

Holly Sh*t that takes balls.

 

[Kaido]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA0XXgxSp84

go without a chute

TIL Red Bull makes you invincible

 

[roguerower]

I've got 560 jumps. PM me if you have any specific questions.

First off, it will not feel like a roller coaster. The airplane is traveling at 85-95mph on jump run and by being inside it, so are you. When you exit the plane you are still traveling forward at that speed, however your vector begins to change as gravity takes over. You'll begin to accelerate, however once the drogue is thrown but you'll top out at about 120mph and do it in the span of about 8-10 seconds, so in reality, you're only accelerating 25-35mph in that initial time period. You'll notice the wind and the noise more than anything.

Second...your first time does not have to be a tandem. You can do EITHER a tandem jump, a Level 1 AFF jump, or a static line, however those are pretty much only offered at small Cessna DZs and I would avoid it.

Third...you will not be allowed to wear a GoPro camera. If you are allowed to wear one, go to a different DZ. (A) it's against the basic safety regulations and the tandem system's regulations, (B) you're not gonna catch shit for video, (C) if you want a decent video, pay for a videographer.

Fourth...relax, smile, and have fun. The more tense you are, the less enjoyable it will be. Literally make yourself smile once you're in the plane, it will make you feel better.

Fifth...you (a one time jumper) are more likely to die driving your car to work on Monday than you are skydiving.

Oh, and Travis actually got his licenses revoked for that stunt...but it is pretty badass.

I'm gonna leave this here as proof that I know what I'm talking about. This is me from Thursday and yesterday training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8v57uUpz-8&feature=youtu.be

 

[MongGrel]

Holly Sh*t that takes balls.

Not really, if you've been planing it awhile.

*shrug*

I've done a few stupider things over the last 52 years on beer I imagine and lived, he he.

I won't go into detail, I'm not gonna get anyone killed.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

my fiancee (now wife) jumped last fall on a groupon deal.

she had a fantastic time - it was a tandem jump and she was strapped to her instructor. We also got the video, the free fall was about 40 seconds (from 10,000 feet) and she said she wasn't scared at all once airborne. From my perspective, the whole operation was tightly coordinated, and everything went flawlessly.

I say go for it, whats the worst that can happen?