WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST SKYDIVE
Your first tandem skydive is easier than you might think. You’ll check in, meet your instructor, complete a short training session, gear up, fly to altitude, experience around 60 seconds of freefall, and then enjoy a peaceful parachute ride back to the ground.
A little preparation goes a long way. Eat a normal meal, stay hydrated, wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, and arrive ready for an adventure. Throughout your jump, your certified tandem instructor handles the technical side of skydiving and guides you every step of the way.
Knowing what to expect on your first skydive can also help turn those pre-jump nerves into excitement.
Here’s how the whole experience works.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR SKYDIVE
What to Eat Before Skydiving
Eat a normal, moderate meal before your jump. Skydiving on an empty stomach can leave you feeling lightheaded, while a particularly heavy or greasy meal may make you uncomfortable.
Stay hydrated throughout the day, and avoid alcohol or recreational drugs before your skydive.
What to Wear and Bring
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that gives you plenty of freedom to move. Athletic clothing works well, along with secure, closed-toe shoes such as sneakers.
If you wear prescription glasses, that’s no problem. We can provide goggles designed to fit comfortably over them.
Remember to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, and leave loose accessories or anything that could fall off during your jump at home. For more advice, check out our guide to what to wear skydiving.
How to Calm Your Nerves Before Skydiving
Feeling nervous before your first skydive is completely normal. After all, jumping out of an airplane isn’t something you do every day!
Listen carefully during your training, focus on steady breathing, and remember that you’re jumping with an experienced tandem instructor who has completed thousands of skydives.
Ask questions if you have them. Your instructor is there to guide you through the entire experience and help you feel comfortable with what’s coming next.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR FIRST SKYDIVE
A few simple preparations can make your day go more smoothly:
- Review our skydiving requirements before booking if you’re unsure about eligibility.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Arrive with enough time to check in, complete your waiver, and ask questions.
- Eat beforehand and stay hydrated.
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
- Listen carefully during training and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
YOUR TANDEM SKYDIVE: STEP BY STEP
Step 1: Check In & Complete Your Paperwork
When you arrive, you’ll check in and complete the required paperwork and waiver. Once that’s out of the way, the fun can begin!
Step 2: Meet Your Instructor & Gear Up
Next, you’ll meet your tandem instructor and get fitted with your skydiving harness. Your instructor will explain how the tandem system works and how you’ll be securely connected during the jump.
Equipment is checked multiple times before your skydive, including while your harness is being fitted. Tandem systems include a main parachute, reserve parachute, and Automatic Activation Device (AAD).
Step 3: Complete Your Skydiving Training
Before boarding the aircraft, you’ll complete a short training session designed specifically for first-time tandem skydivers.
You’ll learn about body position, exiting the aircraft, freefall, the parachute ride, and landing. No previous skydiving experience is required—your instructor will show you everything you need to know.
Step 4: Enjoy the Flight to Altitude
The flight to jump altitude usually takes around 15 minutes.
During the climb, your instructor may review the exit procedure, answer any last-minute questions, and point out landmarks along the way.
For many first-time jumpers, this is when the anticipation really starts to build. Take a few deep breaths, enjoy the views, and soak it all in.
Step 5: Exit the Aircraft & Experience Freefall
Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for.
The aircraft door opens, you and your instructor move into position and—you’re flying!
One of the biggest surprises for many first-time skydivers is that freefall doesn’t feel like the stomach-dropping sensation of a roller coaster. Instead, the airflow supports your body, creating a powerful sensation that’s often described as floating or flying.
During a tandem skydive, you’ll typically reach speeds of around 120 mph while maintaining the stable arched body position you learned during training.
And yes—it’s every bit as exciting as it sounds.
Step 6: Enjoy the Parachute Ride & Landing
After around a minute of freefall—or longer if you’ve chosen our high-altitude tandem—your instructor will deploy the parachute.
The experience suddenly changes. The rush of freefall gives way to a peaceful canopy ride with incredible views of the surrounding landscape.
Your instructor will steer the parachute toward the landing area and tell you exactly what to do as you approach the ground. Depending on conditions, tandem skydives may finish with a smooth slide-in landing or a gentle stand-up landing.
Just listen to your instructor and enjoy the ride.
First-Time Skydiving Tips From Our Instructors
A few simple first-time skydiving tips can help you get the most from your jump:
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Eat before arriving.
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
- Pay attention during your training.
- Keep your eyes open!
- Smile—especially if you’re getting photos and video.
- Remember to breathe and trust your instructor.
- Look toward the horizon and take in the view.
Most importantly, enjoy it!
If you have any other questions about taking your first skydive, please contact a member of the Jumptown team. We’re here to help!