Skydiving Dos and Don’ts

Whether you’ve been mustering up courage or itching to fly, there are some essential skydiving dos and don’ts that could make your experience either awesome or awful.

In skydiving and in life, we believe that awesome is always best. To help you get ready for your big day in the big blue, take note of these pro tips:

Don’t leave home without your valid government-issued ID. No ID, no jump – no exceptions. Also, be mindful of weight restrictions – and make sure your weight with clothes and shoes on is under the limit. At Skydive Carolina, you must be at least 18 years of age and under 225lbs to jump.

This is no fashion show. Instead, aim for practicality and comfort. Thin, close-fitting layers will keep you warm at altitude and sneakers will ensure you land with them still on your feet! Tie your hair back and avoid jewelry and accessories that might flap in the wind and hit you or your instructor in freefall.

Sometimes you come, you jump and you conquer. Other times weather delays (that may not be apparent from the ground) may keep you on the tarmac awhile. Be flexible. Don’t schedule anything immediately after you scheduled skydive and know that delays are made in the interest of safety.

You’ll never have a second chance to make your first jump. Document it. The broad array of intense emotions you feel before, during and after your skydive cannot be replicated — and it can all happen so fast that you might forget to live in the moment. Splurge if you gotta, and then share it across your social media outlets (don’t forget to tag us #skydivecarolina).

Eat too little and your head might be in the clouds before you even board the plane. Eat too heavy and you might feel a bit green around the gills on the climb up and the ride down. Either way, no bueno. Eat foods you tolerate well and in a moderate amount. And don’t forget to hydrate.

Whatever you were planning to do into the night before your jump, just don’t. Instead, get some sleep. To ensure you have a super fun – and supremely safe – experience, you need to have your wits about you and your sea legs under you. Your best day ever requires your best self.

Getting drunk or doing drugs ahead of your skydive is likely to jeopardize your opportunity to jump. If your instructor smells a controlled substance on you or senses that you’re under the influence, your skydive will be canceled immediately.

If you were planning to jump, but now you don’t wanna – honor your feelings. Don’t jump because your pals are putting the pressure on. If your heart’s not in it, chances are you won’t glean the enjoyment and empowerment that enthusiastic others will. The only point of no return is when you leap from the aircraft into freefall.

If you have questions about your first tandem skydive experience, check out our FAQs or contact us. We’re here for you, whenever you’re ready to fly. Blue skies!