SKYDIVING HEIGHT LIMITS EXPLAINED

We’re talking all things HIGH today! Maximum skydiving altitude or physical body height restrictions? Whichever drives your skydiving height limit curiosities – we’ve got the answers for both!

How high can you skydive from? Well, not all dropzones are created equal when choosing their tandem skydiving altitudes and height limits. Overall dropzone altitude is based on a few factors including; location, aircraft, or a decision made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Licensed skydivers have a little more leeway when it comes to choosing a variety of skydiving altitudes that range from 3,500 feet all the way to above and beyond 40,000 feet. Whereas, most first-time tandem skydives are performed anywhere from 8,000 to 14,000 feet, with the average skydiving height being 10,000 feet.

For tandem skydivers there are usually minimums and maximums set in place as to make consideration for extra weight and for comfort reasons:

• Tandem Skydiving Height Minimum

Most solo skydivers need a minimum altitude of 2,500 feet in order to have enough time to make important ‘safe-landing’ decisions. Considering the increased weight of the tandem instructor and passenger on a tandem jump, the minimum altitude needed to have enough time to ensure proper canopy opening increases significantly, with the average being around 5,500 feet. Therefore, the skydiving height limit for tandem jumpers begins at a minimum altitude of 8,000 ft. So you’ll still get to experience the rush of freefall!

• Tandem Skydiving Height Maximum

According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), anything above 15,000 feet is considered HIGH altitude and will require supplemental oxygen in order to prevent passing out due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). This is one of the reasons why the tandem skydiving height limit maximum usually rests around 14,000 feet. However, we do know of one dropzone that can go to 30,000 feet for a pretty penny. Not to mention the slew of extra care and precautionary measures that are required to perform a jump from this height. A rarity, for sure.

We want to ensure you get the maximum amount of freefall time (about 45 to 60 seconds). That’s why the tandem skydiving height limit at Skydive Carolina, is 14,000 feet!

*FUN FACT: Currently, the World Record for the highest skydive EVER is held by Google Executive, Alan Eustace, and stands at an impressive 135,889 feet. Wow!

Safety is our number one priority when it comes to skydiving. This is why there are some physical restrictions in place to mitigate as much risk as possible so that everyone can have a good time on their skydive. While we do have an age limit and weight limit for safety reasons, there is currently NO physical height limit to go tandem skydiving at Skydive Carolina. So basically — as long as the tandem skydiver is under our weight limit and can fit safely in the tandem harness, they can skydive!

Skydiving weight restrictions vary by dropzone and is mostly dependent on what skydiving equipment is being used. Usually, skydiving gear has specific weight limits that are set by the Technical Standard Order (TSO) from the FAA.

Most equipment can only withstand a total weight limit of 500 lbs before the excessive weight begins to wear and tear on the gear. This sounds like a lot, but when you consider the weight of the tandem passenger, instructor, and the gear itself – it adds up pretty quickly!

At Skydive Carolina, the tandem skydiving weight limit is 225 lbs. All tandem students will be weighed on a private scale at check-in to ensure proper instructor pairing and tandem harness fit.

Book your tandem skydive with us today and fly high in the blue Carolina sky with North and South Carolina’s #1-rated skydiving center – Skydive Carolina! Blue skies, friends.

Related Article: What is the Skydiving Age Limit?