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.

How long does a 10000 ft skydive last?

On average, you fall 200 feet per second during a skydive. From 10,000 feet, this means you'll be in freefall for approximately 30 seconds.

How long does it take to skydive from 15000 feet?

The parachute is deployed at 5000ft so the 'freefall' or skydive lasts for the time it takes to fall from the jump height minus the parachute deployment height. So jumping from 15,000ft minus 5000ft when the parchute is deployed gives you a freefall distance of 10,000ft which on average takes about 60 seconds to cover.

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!

How long does it take to skydive from 14000 feet?

Once falling at terminal velocity you will be covering a distance of approximately 1000 feet every 6.5 seconds. Your tandem instructor will deploy the parachute at 5000 feet, meaning on a 14000 feet tandem skydive you'll have around 60 seconds of adrenalin fuelled freefall.

What to Expect about Skydiving for the First time ✈️

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.

How often do parachutes fail?

Even seemingly properly packed parachutes can fail, with one in every 1,000 parachutes not always operating at 100% efficiency. With these stats in mind, skydiving professionals know better to never trust just one chute with their life. That's why tandem skydivers typically descend with three parachutes.

Who shouldn't skydive?

What's the odds of a parachute not opening?

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.

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.

Do tandem skydivers fall faster?

Because tandems are heavier than solo skydivers, they do go faster in the downwards direction. They go so fast, in fact, that there's a special system (called a “drogue”) to slow the pair down enough that they'll experience a safe, comfortable opening.

At what altitude do skydivers need oxygen?

Oxygen is required for any skydive over 15,000 feet – any higher will introduce a new range of considerations.

How long does it take to parachute from 30 000 feet?

On a standard skydive of 14,000 feet, you'll likely be in freefall for around 60 seconds. If you jump from 30,000 feet, though, you'll be falling for an amazing 2.5 minutes.

What is the fastest skydive speed?

The fastest speed in speed skydiving (male) as approved by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is 512.97 km/h (318.74 mph), achieved by Kyle Lobpries (USA) on 28 October 2021 in Eloy, Arizona, USA.

How hard do you hit the ground when skydiving?

A stable belly-to-earth body position will usually result in a 'terminal velocity' (this being the fastest speed you'll reach during freefall) of 120mph or 200kph. A stable head down position (falling upside with your head toward the ground and legs up) gets around 150-180mph (240-290kph).

Can skydiving change your life?

The answer is, unequivocally, yes. Our world is moderated by patterns of perception: we discern a “regularity” and then apply it to everything. Unwittingly, we allow these views to influence and shape how we act. Skydiving is a life changing experience because it 'flips the script' on these structured expectations.

What is the max weight for skydiving?

Most skydiving centers will say their weight limit for a tandem passenger is approximately 200-220 pounds for women and 230-250 pounds for men. There is typically no minimum weight, only a minimum age (18 years old in the US). But there's more to it than the number on the scale.

Is skydiving hard on your back?

There is no universal “yes” or “no” to this question as the scope and scale of back pain can range from discomfort in one's sciatica to full-on spinal fusion surgery. Many people who suffer from back pain do skydive, and there are others who have experienced discomfort to their backs during a skydive.

What if you pass out while skydiving?

If you happen to pass out while skydiving, you are physically attached to your instructor. S/he will take the lead and will do all they can to help get you both back safely to the ground.

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.

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.

Do you scream when you skydive?

Absolutely. Don't feel embarrassed if you accidentally let out a shriek while you're plummeting toward the ground. A common misconception about skydiving is that you cannot breath during free fall, so we actually encourage screaming to make breathing seem easier for you.

How many parachutes are there when skydiving?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires there to be a 2nd parachute in all skydiving equipment that has been certified and packed by a licensed FAA Parachute Rigger. Whether you are making your first tandem skydive or going on your 1000th skydive you are required to have two parachutes.

What height do skydivers open their parachute?

For most licensed skydivers, the deployment altitude is 3,000 feet. Tandem skydivers usually deploy between 5,000 and 5,500 feet. There is a discipline in skydiving known as Canopy Relative Work (CReW) and this group of skydivers deploy their parachutes as soon as they exit the plane!