How common are skydiving accidents?

At a rate of 0.006 skydives fatalities per 1,000, that's 1 fatality in every 167,000 jumps. This means it's more likely you'll die from a lightning strike, dog bite, wasp sting, bike accident, choking or a motor vehicle crash.

Is skydiving worth the risk?

Skydiving isn't without risk, but is much safer than you might expect. According to statistics by the United States Parachute Association, in 2018 there were a total of 13 skydiving-related fatalities out of approximately 3.3 million jumps!

What are the odds of skydiving going wrong?

According to the most recent data gathered by the United States Parachute Association, of the 3.3 million skydives that were completed, there were 15 skydiving fatalities. Based on this data, that is a 0.00045% chance of dying on a skydive. The statistics for dying on a tandem skydive are even less.

How many skydiving accidents occur each year?

At 19 per year, fatal skydiving accidents are infrequent. That tends to make each one newsworthy, so you are likely to hear about them. On the other hand, there are about 93 fatal car accidents every day in the United States.

Is skydiving safer than driving?

The answer is surprising: statistically speaking, yes, skydiving is safer than driving. As you get behind the wheel for your daily commute, you may not even bat an eye, but did you know it's far more "dangerous" than jumping out of a "perfectly good airplane." It's true.

Is Skydiving Safe | Skydiving Accident Stats

Do parachutes ever fail?

Parachute Malfunction Statistics

Skydiving parachute malfunctions are fairly unlikely. Per every 1,000 skydives, only one skydiving parachute malfunction is said to occur. This means only . 01% of skydiving parachutes will experience a malfunction.

Who should not skydive?

What is the cause of most skydiving accidents?

Some 13 people died skydiving in the U.S. in 2018. So far this year, there have been six fatalities in the U.S., three of which occurred at Mile-Hi. The United States Parachuting Association (USPA) which licenses skydivers and rates instructors, says most deaths are caused by human error.

How long does the average skydive last?

Generally speaking, you can expect a skydive to take 2 - 4 hours from start to finish, beginning when you arrive at a dropzone. The truth is, the answers to these big questions aren't always the same. There are a few factors that'll influence how long your skydive will last.

Should I be scared to skydive?

Your first time skydiving is a big deal. It's perfectly natural to feel nervous or scared about your first jump. Here, we'll explore what makes you nervous, why it's totally normal, and how to face your fears.

What should you not do when skydiving?

Is skydiving safer than bungee jumping?

The National Safety Council says a person is more likely to be killed being stung by a bee or struck by lightning than during tandem skydiving. Bungee jumping sports the same fatality rate or 1 in 500,000. When it comes to safety, bungee jumping and skydiving are right on par.

What's the scariest part of skydiving?

The door opens, your skin tingles from the brisk feel of the air at 13,000ft, and if it wasn't before, it's real now! This part of the skydive lasts roughly three seconds. The hardest part is stepping up. This is the final push.

Can you breathe while skydiving?

Yes, you can! A common misconception about skydiving is that you can't breathe during freefall, but breathing during a skydive is actually not much harder than breathing on the ground.

At what speed do skydivers fall?

The most common number you are likely to hear in relation to skydiving is 120mph. This is a useful number as it represents the average speed that people fall at when 'belly to earth' – the position you most likely to think of when you imagine somebody skydiving.

How safe is skydiving with an instructor?

Tandem skydiving – where you're attached to an experienced skydiving instructor for your jump – has an even better safety rate, with 0.002 fatalities per 1,000 jumps on average over the past 10 years. Statistically, you're more likely to die being struck by lightning or stung by a bee.

How scary is skydiving?

Simply put, the actual skydive (the free fall) doesn't feel scary because you don't feel out of control. Unlike a rollercoaster where you're being rocked and jostled, the free fall is smooth. There aren't sensations of plummeting to earth uncontrollably and you don't get ground rush.

Is it crazy to skydive?

Some people think skydivers are absolutely crazy. I mean… jumping out of a plane and freefalling in midair does sound terrifying. But for others, this extreme sport is exhilarating – it's the adrenaline rush of a lifetime.

Do you get motion sick skydiving?

Skydiving Itself Doesn't Cause Motion Sickness.

What happens to your brain when you skydive?

The good chemicals we create such as adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine are driven to action by skydiving which can have both immediate and lasting effects. The various internal chemistry stimulated by freefall can help with things like sleep and digestion, but also aid depression and improve general mental health.

What happens if your parachute doesn't open when skydiving?

So when a skydiver finds themselves in a position where their main parachute isn't opening or has opened with an error, they simply remove that parachute and deploy their reserve parachute instead.

How often do both parachutes not open?

How often do parachutes fail?! The answer: Hardly ever. According to the USPA (which collects and publishes skydiving accident statistics), about one in every one-thousand parachutes will experience a malfunction so significant that actually requires the use of the reserve parachute.

Why do skydivers say blue skies?

Blue-Skies: Of course there is the literal meaning of “blue-skies”, which is that there is a cloudless day, but in skydiving, the phrase is imbued with more meaning. Used as both a greeting and phrase of farewell, it's a way to say that you hope all is well and a bit of a benediction or blessing that it stays that way.

Is bungee jumping scarier than skydiving?

If your ultimate goal is to feel scared by your thrill, bungee jumping might be just what you're looking for! But honestly, nothing beats skydiving! The adrenaline you get from the altitude and the length of time you spend in the air, but still knowing that you're safe if anything might happen, is incomparable!

What should I know before skydiving?