First Time Skydiving: 7 Things You Should Know

Entering the new world of skydiving can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Receiving solid first-time skydiving advice can be immensely helpful when it comes to managing your emotions and physically preparing to jump. Don’t worry about researching what to know for a first-time skydive, we’ve got you covered!

WNY Skydiving is a full-service skydiving facility and training center – we know a thing or two when it comes to the first-time skydiving experience! Read on for seven first-time skydiving tips that’ll get you ready for your grand adventure!

1: What to Wear for Your Tandem Skydive

Not sure what to wear skydiving? We’re happy to report that you already have everything you need, although certain outfits are better suited than others. Athletic, well-fitting clothing is ideal for jumping out of airplanes. Something that’s comfortable and easy to move around in and that’s not too baggy.

Layers are a great option for cooler months so that you’re prepared for the difference in temperatures on the ground and at altitude. You can also opt for a WNY Skydiving jumpsuit to wear over your clothes! It will help protect your clothing, keep you warm, and make you look like a bonafide skydiver. 

Footwear must have a flat sole and be closed-toe – sneakers are your best bet. Shoes cannot have straps, hooks, or anything else that might pose a snag risk. No boots, heels, sandals, or slides are permitted.

2: What (and What Not) to Eat Before Jumping

Taking care of your body before a jump is one of the most important things you can do to ensure an enjoyable experience – and a big part of that is staying hydrated and eating a balanced meal. 

We know it can be tough to eat when you’re nervous, but just think of it as fueling up for an adventure. You want to eat enough to avoid dizziness, but not so much that you feel weighed down and sluggish. Consider bringing snacks and water to the dropzone to keep you satiated throughout the day.

Wondering what not to do before skydiving? The most important thing is not drinking alcohol. We can’t let you get in the airplane if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and, realistically speaking, you wouldn’t want to anyway. Even a hangover makes for a pretty unpleasant jump – nausea, fatigue, and headaches aren’t exactly the best symptoms for an adventure. Save it for the post-jump celebration!

3: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

There’s not much you need to bring along other than an adventurous spirit, but there are a few things you don’t want to forget. Make sure you have your valid, government-issued photo ID (we can’t let you skydive without it), hair ties if you have long hair, and the aforementioned snacks and water. You can leave the rest to us!

Leave valuables, jewelry, phones, cameras, and personal items either at home or securely on the ground. It’s easy to lose belongings in freefall, so it’s better to go without for 25 minutes than forever! As for cameras, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) mandates that skydivers must have at least 200 jumps before skydiving with a camera. So leave the documentation to the professionals and get a media package! 

4: Mental Preparation and Managing Your Nerves

The anticipation of skydiving for the first time is something that leaves a lot of people on the fence about jumping. But there are plenty of ways to manage, and even overcome, your fears that lead to healthy practices for the rest of your life, as well. 

Visualization and breathing exercises are extremely effective ways to help your brain and body deal with stress and anxiety, and focusing on how much fun you’re going to have will reframe the entire experience. Reading reviews, watching videos, and researching statistics also appeal to the logical side of your brain and can quiet some of the emotional responses.

Here’s a question we hear often that’s equal parts excitement and anxiety: Can you skydive by yourself the first time instead of going tandem? At some dropzones, yes – but would you really want to? There’s so much going on during a skydive that it’s extremely common to experience sensory overload. Better to rely on a professional in the beginning so you can enjoy yourself. 

5: Freefall and Landing: Mastering Your Body Position

Your instructor will handle almost all of the responsibilities during your skydive. There are just three main things you need to focus on: your arch, your landing, and your smile.  

Freefall: You’ll learn a position called an “arch” during your pre-jump training, and this is what you will hold for the entirety of freefall. Think of your body like a banana flying through the sky with your belly to earth. Your hips are the lowest point and your shoulders and legs are pulled back and above. You can even practice this at home by lying on the floor and lifting everything but your hips off the ground. 

Landing: Your instructor will take care of deploying, steering, and slowing the parachute for landing, but you still have one responsibility for a successful touchdown. You’ll need to be able to lift your legs straight out in front of you (like an L) so that you can both slide in gracefully on your butt as the parachute comes to rest. 

6: Make it a Group Adventure

What’s better than going skydiving? Going skydiving with friends! Whether it’s a team-building event, a birthday celebration, or just friends being friends, group skydiving is an incredible way to celebrate relationships.

Enduring high-stress, high-reward experiences together creates stronger bonds, increases trust, and solidifies connections. Your unique skydiving adventure is something only you and your group share – and no one can ever take that from you! Not to mention, having your people around makes it a lot easier to deal with fear and anxiety.

And the best part? Discounts! The more people you bring along, the better the deal!

7: What Happens After Your Jump

Besides the incredible memories, increased confidence, and enhanced motivation to live your life to the fullest? The future is up to you! Share your awesome video on social media, brag to your friends, book another tandem, or get your own skydiving license!

OK, you came here for some tips for first-time skydiving – do you have a good sense of what to expect on your first skydive now? Anything else you wish you knew before skydiving? We’re here to support you – check out our FAQs or get in touch if you have any questions. And if you’re good to go, book your jump! We can’t wait to share the gift of human flight with you!