How Safe Is Skydiving? - Skydiving Safety

Is skydiving safe? 

It’s an age-old question - just how safe is skydiving? Long considered one of the most dangerous sports, gone are the days when leaping out of a plane was something only committed by the reckless. The usual line you’ll hear is there’s as much risk driving to the drop zone (that’s the in-the-know term for the skydiving centre) as there is in the actual sport itself. 

Skydiving is an adrenaline-fuelled sport that thousands of people enjoy every year. The sheer volume of successful skydives proves that while there may be perceived risks, it can be done safely. 

New technology and research has made skydiving safer than ever before. Modern technology has been developed to such an extent to understand the forces at play when a parachute is deployed and flown. Companies like Skydive Northwest have even manufactured their own PAC 750 XL, the UK’s only purpose-built skydiving aircraft. Technology’s continual progress means that designs improve all the time, offering softer, smoother openings of the parachute while also increasing in performance. 

Whether tandem or solo jumpers, skydivers always jump with one more parachute than they need. One is a main chute that is packed at the dropzone and the other a reserve that is packed off-site by a certified authority. These parachute systems are also fitted with an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) which will automatically deploy the reserve parachute if skydivers are still free-falling at a certain altitude. Just to put this into perspective, research shows that in 2020, just 8% of skydivers reported using their reserve parachute. 

The sport is highly regulated by the British Parachute Association (BPA), a governing body given sole responsibility by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to control and regulate any parachuting activity including skydiving. Dropzones must adhere to many operational guidelines, many of which can be found in the following document.

Skydiving deaths - What does the data say?

The big question is always how dangerous is skydiving? But what people really are asking is “how likely is it to die from skydiving”. While concerns are valid, the sport is not as dangerous as it might be perceived.

Recent data gathered from Science Direct indicated that in France there have been around 6.2 million jumps performed by 519,620 skydivers over 10 years between 2010 and 2019. 

Out of those, there were only 35 deaths and 3,015 injuries. This equates to 0.57 deaths and 49 injuries per 100,000 jumps, which is a very small risk. Compared to the level of road accidents, you’re about 24 times more likely to die in a car accident than a skydiving one. 

The number of skydiving fatalities has also been steadily declining. The Boston Globe reported that between 2000 and 2013, the number of total fatalities in the United States attributed to skydiving decreased by 37%. This goes to show that while the activity is not without danger, it is becoming less risky due to increased regulation and safety considerations. 

And what are the stats on skydiving injuries?

According to the BPA (also known as British Skydiving), an injury is “anything from a minor cut, bruise or scratch through fractures and sprains to multiple fractures and internal injuries”. If a parachutist reports any injury, it’s counted. Therefore, most of the injuries that are minor become branched under the same umbrella as major ones, although the latter are rare. 

The BPA calculated that for solo jumpers, the injury rate for female novices is twice that for male novices. As with most other sports, injury rates rise with increasing age, increasing weight and decreasing physical fitness. When comparing skydiving fatalities to injuries, the latter are more common, though statistically still very unlikely with just 0.55 injuries per 1,00 jumps. 

Are tandem jumps safer? 

In tandem jumps, the novice is strapped to an experienced instructor. They share an extra large parachute between them. After a freefall of several thousand feet, the instructor will open the parachute. The dual control parachute enables the student to practice canopy control and allows the instructor to control the landing. 

The Australian-based operator Skydive The Beach performs about 100,000 tandem jumps around Australia a year with a record of 346 in a day, according to The New Daily. It has been proven that tandem skydives are safer because they’re with experienced jumpers with many skydives under their belt. In the UK, each instructor must gain a British Skydiving instructors rating before taking any tandem students. They’re required to continually keep up their training and practice emergency procedures often. 

The BPA highlighted that the tandem injury rate is about one in 1,100 jumps and varies by gender with one injury in 900 for women and one injury in 1,300 for men. In the UK in the last 20-year block studied (2001-2020), there were reportedly no tandem fatalities.

What are the common risks of skydiving?

Like any sport, there are risks associated with skydiving. As the BPA pointed out “all those who participate in the sport voluntarily accept an element of risk.” But here’s some of the main ones:  

• Advanced manoeuvres: it’s more likely for issues to occur when someone with hundreds of jumps under their belt attempts to try something new. An example move is “swooping” which is where the skydiver deliberately increases their rate of descent by quickly turning their parachute. 
• Parachute malfunctions: While only one in 1,000 parachute openings don’t go to plan, it can happen. But this would only equate to around 0.1% of skydiving parachutes. The chances of both parachutes on an individual malfunctioning is therefore incredibly small. A parachute may fail to open correctly or have an issue such as a broken line. 
• Injury on landing: if tandem students fail to lift their legs up for landing, they can take the impact through their ankles. 
• Injury during freefall: Freefall injuries usually occur during a tandem jump, at high speeds and is when either the student or instructor accidentally takes a knock. 
• Not controlling for instability: mainly a problem faced by novices. When parachutists lose control and start tumbling wildly, it can lead to parachute entanglement or failure to activate the chute. 
• Huge burst of adrenaline: Adrenaline can leave you feeling overwhelmed, dizzy or nauseous. 

How can those risks be prevented? 

One of the best ways to overcome any fear or uncertainty is to not only understand the risks but also how they are mitigated. 

Preventing parachute malfunctions

In tandem jumps, the instructor is incredibly well-versed in the processes needed to handle any emergency situation. Plus, as mentioned earlier, skydivers always jump with a second parachute (a reserve) in the kit, which is deployed when the malfunctioning one is released. 

Preventing injuries on landing

Tandem students are trained to lift their legs and instructors remind them again to do this just before landing. For experienced jumpers, there’s a specific move called a “PLF” or parachute landing fall which is designed to take the impact away from the ankles. 

Training

Skydiving is amazing: you get to leap out of a plane for sheer fun and experience views some can only dream of. But naturally, it’s one that requires training. 

For aspiring solo skydivers, the Accelerated Freefall Skydiving Course (AFF) is a fast-track programme that can transform complete beginners to qualified skydivers. Training takes a minimum of 6 hours and covers familiarisation and fitting of parachute equipment, aircraft drills, how to leave the plane in a safe, stable body position, in-air flight drills, controlling and landing your canopy, learning how to identify malfunctions and operate your reserve parachute. The first few jumps are accompanied by instructors but the student takes control. The Accelerated Free Fall Level 1 Skydive is also available for one-off skydivers who want the satisfaction of doing it independently. 

The required training for a tandem skydive is minimal and normally lasts around 20-30 minutes. The tandem instructor is in control, you’ll just be briefed on things like the body positions you must adopt. 

To become an instructor, you must take part in two instructor training courses, each arranged by British Skydiving. The first course qualifies you as a Basic Instructor, with permission to complete basic instructional duties back at your home dropzone. After at least six months of this, when your chief instructor thinks you’re ready, you’ll take the second course. If you complete this one successfully, you become a fully qualified instructor. 

Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) 

Automatic Activation Device (AAD) is a term that you’ll probably see crop up a lot when looking into skydiving safety. Few devices have impacted skydiving quite like the AAD and it’s one of the most pivotal technological advancements in the industry that has drastically improved skydiving safety and prevented skydiving deaths. It’s a small computer that is responsible for deploying the reserve parachute in the unlikely event that a jumper is unable to do so. The AAD is programmed to activate if the skydiver is falling at a certain speed and altitude. It can recognise if you’ve reached an altitude where you should have your parachute deployed and be falling at a slower rate. If you are still moving at speeds similar to freefall, the AAD processing unit will activate the cutter unit and deploy the reserve parachute.

Is Skydiving worth the risk?

After careful evaluation of the risks, it’ll inevitably be crystal clear that skydiving is totally worth the risk. 

Skydiving offers perspective

For those feeling stuck in a 9-5 cycle, it can come as a spiritual reset, encouraging you to take stock of life and realise that we shouldn’t sweat the small things. 

It offers us freedom.

Skydivers experience a feeling of being one with the moment and nature. It’s a sense of freedom, tapping into the human desire of wanting to experience flight.

The life-long memories.

The memory of your skydive is one you’ll always treasure: your skydive will forever serve as an example of a time you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. 

Travel opportunities

Skydiving can take you to places you never dreamed of going. The cool thing about skydiving is that it exists all over the world. Once you start jumping, you hear of amazing skydiving locations and you now plan to travel there. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it scary to skydive? 

You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t a little bit scared about jumping out of a plane. Tandem skydiving will definitely get the adrenaline flowing but with an instructor on hand, it also gives you that little extra peace of mind. 

How long is the plane ride up to jump altitude?

The plane journey lasts around 15 minutes. 

How long do you freefall for?

It varies but typically between 30-40 seconds if jumping from around 10,000 ft or about 60 seconds from 15,000 ft. 

How fast do you freefall? And how long is it? 

You’ll travel at speeds of around 125mph. The skydive in itself will last about 5 minutes - giving you plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery.  

What height does the parachute open?

About 5000ft - about a mile up. 

What do I need to wear? 

Long trousers, a long-sleeve sweatshirt and trainers are ideal. But it’s weather-dependent. If it’s cold, wrap up warm and likewise, if it’s summer, you might be able to get away with just shorts and a t-shirt. Most centres issue you with a jumpsuit to fit over your clothes. 

Can I wear glasses?

Yes - goggles are provided to keep them in place. 

What happens if the weather is bad?

Like most aviation sports, skydiving is weather dependent. A lot of the skydiving centres within the UK must operate within strict safety regulations in regards to cloud cover and wind speeds. If the weather is deemed unsuitable for skydiving, you’ll most likely be given the opportunity to reschedule your booking for another time at your convenience. 

What age do you have to be to go skydiving?

You need to be at least 16 to do a tandem skydive. If you are aged between 16 and 18, you’ll need a parent or legal guardian to sign to give their consent. 

Can you drink alcohol before skydiving?

While most centres appreciate that having a few drinks might calm those pre-flight nerves, don’t. Anyone believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to jump. As for smoking, many centres have designated smoking areas. 

Can you skydive while pregnant?

You are not allowed to skydive if you are pregnant. If you fall pregnant after you have made your booking, you can postpone your skydive 6 months after your due date. 

Can I bring my family and friends?

Yes, at most centres spectators are welcome but if you have young children, they must be supervised at all times. 

Is there a medical form?

All skydiving centres will ask you to fill out a medical form. The BPA insists that all participants bring their medical form with them on the day. You’ll be given a primary form. If you have any of the medical conditions listed on the form, then you must get a second form signed by a doctor. If you do not, then you may self-sign the first document and bring it with you.

What is the Weight Limit for Tandem Skydiving?

The limits do vary from centre to centre depending on the size of parachutes they have. But most centres have a limit of between 15 to 18 stone. In the case of tandem skydives, it is the combined weight of instructor and tandem students that determines whether it is safe to jump. Most centres will use a Body Mass Index (BMI) to help them make their decision. On occasions, people within the weight limit may be rejected if their weight is not proportionate to their body weight. It is recommended that any skydivers contact their centre before their arranged date if they have any concerns. 

How Do You Feel After Skydiving?

Many say that skydiving is indescribable because it’s such an unfamiliar concept falling through the sky. Others call it a “sensory overload” because they’re feeling so many things at once. The mental processing of the incredible scenery just witnessed and the sound of the wind rushing through their hair and body. As for emotions, several words are often used: freedom, bliss, confidence. A real sense of fear being unlocked. 

Summary

If you’ve got this far, you’re now equipped with pretty much everything you need to know about skydiving. However, it’s a decision that only you can make. There’s so many different types of skydiving, from solo to tandem. So whether you’re looking to mark an occasion in style or just fancy trying something new, there’s a skydive to match your interests.  Check out our fantastic collection of skydiving experiences, with locations across the UK.