While skydiving looks like a lot of thrill and fun, there are several minimum requirements for the sake of safety. Here is what you should know about the age requirements:
For the safety of all participants, this adventure sport also has certain weight requirements that must be met. This is because of the body’s interaction with air pressure, gravity and other technical factors like climb rate, equipment management and fuel allowances. Here are some more details:
Adventure sports like skydiving may be unsuitable for those with certain health conditions. Therefore, a proper health check before participation is one of the key skydive requirements. Some conditions that may be grounds for disqualification are:
If you have been injured recently or have had surgery done, it is best to inform the skydiving staff before your dive. If you have flu symptoms or blocked sinuses, there may be complications during the dive because of the high altitude and low pressure.
Long-term conditions like heart problems, hypertension, epilepsy, respiratory issues, un-balanced insulin-treated diabetes and others may cause temporary loss of consciousness or oxygenating problems at such an altitude. These participants are usually not allowed.
The harness is fitted in such a way that a lot of the pressure falls on the back, neck and groin areas. Plus, participants are required to get into certain positions to help with aerodynamics. Therefore, those with difficulties in movement or existing pain should avoid this sport.
Fluctuating blood pressure, oxygen intake, tension and other stressors can be dangerous to pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant guests are not allowed to skydive. Chances of noise exposure, miscarriage of the fetus, and other pregnancy-related problems may increase.
Those who have gone scuba-diving within the last 24 hours before their skydive appointment are not allowed to participate. This is because massive changes in the altitude and pressure between the sea and the sky can lead to bubbles forming in your blood and tissues due to Decompression sickness, which is extremely fatal.
All disabilities are not the same and, therefore, do not have a blanket rule. If you do have a disability, you may need a doctor’s medical certificate attesting that you are fit to skydive. The chief instructor at the dropzone will then assess to see if you fulfill all skydive requirements.
Skydiving is as much about the weather as it is about the participant’s fitness. It is an entirely weather-dependent sport and may sometimes get canceled due to unforeseen changes. Some weather-based skydive requirements are:
If the weather is unfavorable, the dive may be rescheduled to another day of your choice. If another date cannot be arranged based on your preference, you may be given ‘limbo’ credit, which will be valid for 12 months from your original activity date.
Depending on your skydiving facility, you can also get the option of picking a different dropzone or upgrading your experience when you return to redeem your limbo credits. If you go for an experience of higher monetary value, then you will need to pay the price difference.
When you get training to skydive solo, you may learn many different positions that will help you maneuver yourself in the air. But during tandem skydiving, after you jump with your instructor, the most important position you’ll be asked to follow is the Arch — chin up, neck slightly extended, belly button towards the ground and your hands, knees, shoulders and feet held up in an arch. This helps in maintaining stability and keeps the parachute pointing skywards.
However, while exiting the plane, you may be asked to cross your arms over your chest or hold your harness with both hands. Just before landing, you will probably have to get into the crouching position, which is lifting your legs up and bending 90 degrees at the waist to allow your instructor to make the landing.
The maximum weight for skydiving in Australia is 95 kg. If you weigh more than this then you can pay an additional surcharge fee for customized equipment and additional harnesses. The maximum weight with a surcharge is up to 115 kg.
To ensure your safety is maintained even if you exceed the weight limit, the skydive facility usually charges an additional fee for those above 95 kg. This fee goes towards the additional harnesses required, more frequent safety checks and employing highly experienced instructors who are trained to land those above 95 kg.
Skydiving, even in the first trimester, is usually not recommended. This is to ensure that the body isn’t put under too much pressure during the dive. You can always come back for a dive after 9 months. Your limbo credits are usually valid for 12 months, and you can certainly celebrate giving birth to your little one with a skydive, as long as you’ve recovered from childbirth.
The body undergoes several physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy, and a strenuous activity like skydiving can put pressure on the body. The changing altitudes with hormonal changes can make you nauseous. The flight travel and the arch position you’ll have to maintain during the free fall can strain your body when it’s important for you to remain careful. While experienced divers can make an informed decision after a doctor’s consultation, if you’re a first-time skydiver, it would be a definite no-no.
Skydiving within 24 hours of scuba diving can cause Decompression Sickness. Underwater pressure increases exponentially as you go deeper into the water, which leads to normal gasses inside your body to get dissolved into your blood, like nitrogen. This usually isn’t a problem as long as you give your body sufficient time to allow the nitrogen to escape naturally from your blood. However, if you go skydiving soon after scuba diving, the dissolved nitrogen turns back into gas much faster, causing bubbles in your blood and tissues. This restricts the flow of blood into your organs and oxygen absorption, which can be extremely fatal.