Going skydiving what should I expect?

[luv2liv]

nothing can prepare you for it. no sim nor roller coaster can, not even close.
the moment you step out of that plane, you will realize gravity aint weak as physicists claim. good luck!

 

[sze5003]

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

Thanks for all the information. I'll probably pay for a video. Even though I'm the type of person that would probably do it again if another friend wanted to. We are trying to go next month since the weather will be nicer.

 

[wabbitslayer]

Get a tomato. Go outside on your driveway or some other hard surface. Toss the tomato straight up into the air about ten or twelve feet. Examine tomato after it hits ground.

Now go have fun, and be sure to tip whoever packs your chute.

 

[Eug]

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

Since you asked, my friend's dad, a relatively experienced jumper, got a streamer and almost died. Here's never jumped again after that.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

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.

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

Pretty much what these two said.

A) go to maps.google.com, switch to aerial/satellite view, and zoom out until the cars look just like little dots. That's about what it will look like at altitude when you jump

B) stick your hand/head out the window of your car on the highway doing 80-100 mph. That's what it will feel like on your whole body. It is not a weightless feeling at all

C) for me the time in free fall was perhaps the most peaceful moment I have ever had. It was serene. I know this is contrary to what a lot of people say about it, but because of the adrenaline and the split second after leaving the plane where everything was out of my control (I had no control over my life at this point, it was all in the hands of the instructor and equipment) I was very at peace with life and just enjoying the experience. This happened both times I went.

It's great. I can't wait to go again.

 

[sze5003]

I was just on youtube watching a bunch of videos. I wish I lived near a beach so the scenery would be better.

 

[Kyle]

Yeah I jumped off the north shore of Oahu on an amazingly beautiful day- the water was strangely calm too so you could see a bunch of sea turtles etc - the instructor said it was one of the nicer days he'd ever jumped. Like the poster above me, I really enjoyed the experience and was not tense/scared at all (well, I was a bit in the staging area waiting around to go, signing your life away and watching a video saying you're might die over and over again - and even then, more just a tense/stress feeling than fear) - once we started loading up I relaxed since it was out of my hands at that point, and really enjoyed the experience.

 

[RossMAN]

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.

Do you remember the company name and how much more you paid for higher alt?

 

[Kyle]

http://www.pacificskydivinghawaii.com/

That's where I went- looks like it's now $169 for the 14000-15000 jump- I think I paid a little less than that when I jumped a few years ago.

 

[sze5003]

I'm looking for a groupon deal for April. I was trying to round up more friends to see if they would give some kind of group discount.

 

[Exterous]

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

Yeah me neither.

I had a blast and will be going again in the spring. I find it somewhat tough to explain because there isn't much like it. You can take bit and pieces from here and there like the hand out the car window but it really doesn't do it justice.

One piece of advice: make sure your nutsack is not caught in your straps. Mine shifted a bit and while it could have been worse as it didn't get actual ball but it did pinch my skin. Free fall was fine but the parachute ride down was not the most comfortable

 

[RossMAN]

http://www.pacificskydivinghawaii.com/

That's where I went- looks like it's now $169 for the 14000-15000 jump- I think I paid a little less than that when I jumped a few years ago.

Thanks, I'll definitely check this out when we visit Hawaii.

 

[Kyle]

Thanks, I'll definitely check this out when we visit Hawaii.

NP- I actually got the rec from another ATOT'er in a skydiving thread a few years ago

 

[RossMAN]

NP- I actually got the rec from another ATOT'er in a skydiving thread a few years ago

Well thanks to you and the other AT'er for the recommendation.

I wonder if I could use a GoPro with chest strap? The footage will probably be crap but I'd like to try anyway.

 

[Kyle]

Well thanks to you and the other AT'er for the recommendation.

I wonder if I could use a GoPro with chest strap? The footage will probably be crap but I'd like to try anyway.

No idea- I will say though if you pay them for the video, there will be a camera in your face well before the jump through the whole experience. I guess that's good, but on the other hand I was glad I wasn't the one being recorded before the jump.

 

[Fenixgoon]

protip: deploy the parachute

seriously, have fun!!!

 

[drbrock]

Probably the best sensation you can have in life. The rush is insane. I was on high for the entire day afterward. When I went my tandem guy was an Israeli surgeon. I had a solid 50 lbs on him as he was only 5'9. He told me it would be hard to control me with the size difference and not to move too much. I wasn't scared until I my feet were dangling out the plane and things got real lol. There wasn't any instruction really. I walked up to the plane and we took off. He strapped me in during the ride.

Good luck OP.

 

[Exterous]

Thanks, I'll definitely check this out when we visit Hawaii.

Yes - I find this very tempting if we end up going to Hawaii in August. Course my wife would have to find something to do while I was gone since she won't go with me...

 

[Daverino]

I did a tandem jump and it was awesome. Strangely, though, I have no desire to do it again. It felt like cheating death, and that was cool. Jumping more seems like taunting death. . .

The biggest pucker moment was completely unexpected. Right after the chute deployed and we started the slow descent the instructor loosened the straps binding me to him by just a little. I probably slipped down a half an inch at most? But the feeling that, for just an instant, I wasn't connected to the instructor and the chute was terrifying. I was looking for something to grab onto, but there was nothing in front of me but open sky.

From there on, though, I thought the chute-open descent was the most fun part. It is totally silent and you can soak in the view. I preferred it much more over the free-fall.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Brown underwear. Well, that is what I would expect for me.

 

[sze5003]

I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to try and get a video of it as well. In case anything happens I've added the beneficiaries on my work plan as my mother and siblings since I'm not married lol.

I visit them often and I'm not even going to mention it haha. I had to hear about it for a whole summer when I told her I bought a motorcycle and I'm in my late twenties.

 

[lupi]

Just read about a guy that was strapped in a a B-17 tail gunner that survived after the tail section was broken off, so anything can happen...once.

 

[Red Storm]

Went skydiving in Hawaii a few years ago. It's nothing at all like a roller coaster. Roller coasters make me nauseous, jumping out of an airplane at 15k feet is pure fun.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

You'll enjoy it. Not overweight are you? Limitations on tonnage apply. Dress comfy, bring friends and food.

I actually like it best once the chute is deployed. I have alot more fun yanking and banking than I do free falling.

 

[RossMAN]

You'll enjoy it. Not overweight are you? Limitations on tonnage apply. Dress comfy, bring friends and food.

I never even thought about this and sure enough it exists, last post on first page is priceless :whiste: