Skydiving Safety Day: What Is It?

Skydiving is the ultimate thrill – but it’s not all freefall and fist bumps. Why? Well, having fun is second, but safety takes the cake for first place! Every year, dropzones across the world pump the brakes on the hype for a few hours and host a United States Parachute Association (USPA) Safety Day. 

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran with multiple logbooks, Safety Day skydiving is your annual reminder that this sport is as much about smarts as it is about the STOKE! 

Let’s dive into why attending Skydive Carolina Safety Day – or Safety Day wherever you are – is a must as you kick off the jumping season.  

What Is Safety Day, Anyway? 

What is Safety Day skydiving? Held the second Saturday of March at hundreds of dropzones across the globe, USPA Safety Day is a day dedicated to refresh, recharge, and rethink how we approach this sport we love so dearly. It’s sort of like spring training for your brain. There are seminars, hands-on drills, and chats with the pros all focused on one thing: making sure you and your fellow sky fam keep safety at the forefront. There are a few key components of most Safety Days: 

Seminars. 

Dropzones offer a wealth of knowledge – our very own S&TA has nearly 10,000 skydives! These seminar sessions with experts at the DZ are a goldmine. No matter your level, there’s something for everyone. Topics range from the logic behind loading the aircraft in a specific order, to the ins and outs of safely leading a movement jump (and who’s qualified to do so!). DZ’s also take this time to set expectations for dropzone operations in the coming year, plus any tweaks to the routines the jumpers are used to. 

Emergency procedure practice. 

Did someone say EMERGENCY PROCEDURES? Practicing emergency procedures is a must for every skydiver, whether you’ve got 10 jumps or 10,000 under your belt. It’s all about building muscle memory so you can act fast and confidently when it counts – no fumbling our EP sequence here. 

Equipment evaluations. 

When was the last time you cleaned your cutaway system? No idea? These evaluations dive into the essential gear maintenance we often overlook, like keeping your cutaway system spotless (and learning how often it needs attention). What about hooking up your 3-ring system? Getting comfortable with your equipment boosts your confidence, giving you peace of mind and confidence in the sky. 

Why does it matter? … Don’t we put safety first every single day and every single time we jump? Of course, but wouldn’t it be a little ignorant to assume we know it all? The key to longevity in the sport of skydiving is to never stop learning, and although this happens every time we’re at the dropzone, Safety Day gives us that extra nudge in the right direction! Plus, it creates a space where people of all levels in the sport interact, which may not always be possible on a regular day at the DZ. 

Skydiving Fatality Rate: Let’s Talk Numbers

What is the fatality rate of skydiving? This is a question that newcomers often ask, and veterans of the sport keep tabs on. We are pleased to share that – due to advancements in equipment, training, and safety protocols (such as attending a Safety Day event) – the USPA’s 2024 report showed that there were nine skydiving fatalities out of an estimated 3.88 million jumps last year. This is an all-time low, making 2024 the “safest” year since the USPA began tracking this data in 1961. Of course, that doesn’t make these losses any less devastating.  

Here’s the thing: most incidents happen due to human error, not gear failure. That’s why Safety Day skydiving is an absolute must, even if you’re jumping consistently. You never know what you may learn or how you can contribute to the sport by helping someone else learn. Bottom line: skydiving safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The Five-Second Rule: Not Just for Dropped Food 

Ever heard of the five-second rule of skydiving? No, it’s not about how long you can leave your granola bar on the hangar floor while debating if it’s still safe to eat (news flash, it’s probably not!). 

The five-second rule is a tip from the USPA for handling parachute malfunctions. Basically, if something is wonky with your main canopy, you’ve generally got five solid seconds before deciding to cut away and deploy your reserve. This rule is essential, because it forces you to stick to quick, clear thinking in a high-stakes moment. Remember: don’t delay, cut away! 

Join Us! 

Skydiving’s a blast, but it’s the safety-first mindset that keeps us coming back jump after jump. USPA Safety Day isn’t just a date on the calendar, because safety is the foundation of our community. 

We hope you were with us on March 16th, 2025, to kick off the season on the right foot! Keep in mind that every day doubles as a safety day: safety is always our top priority. Stay curious, never stop learning, and don’t hesitate to ask questions (that goes for tandem skydivers too, your questions matter!).