Further information

Skydiving > Photos and Videos

Last updated on 7th December 2010

You can arrange for your (tandem) skydive to be filmed by a cameraman who has a camera strapped to the side of his / her helmet. If you want your skydive to be filmed then please request this when you arrive at the airfield as you are unable to book or pay for a tandem video prior to the day of your skydive.

The price of having your skydive filmed varies at each location. Some locations provide photos as well as video but an extra fee may be charged.

The duration of the video depends on the altitude from which you leave the aircraft. Usually the video of your skydive will last around 5 minutes. This will include an introduction, ascent on the aircraft, exit, freefall, opening of the parachute and landing.

Spectators will be able to watch and photograph your skydive from the spectators area. Spectators will only be able to photograph you as you are coming in to land as (most) camera lenses are not strong enough to be able to see you during freefall.

You are unable to take a camera (or any other equipment) with you for use on the aircraft or during your skydive. As an inexperienced skydiver this would be extremely dangerous and is strictly prohibited.

Tags: tandem skydive, skydive, challenges, photo, video,

Skydiving > Types of Skydive

Last updated on 7th December 2010

The different skydives we offer.

Tandem Skydive

Tandem skydiving is the most popular type of skydiving. Very basic training (about 30 minutes in length) is given prior to your skydive and no previous experience is necessary. You are connected via a harness to a highly experienced tandem skydiving instructor and taken to approximately 12,000ft (2.3miles, 3.7km).

The instructor takes control of the entire skydive from exiting the plan, freefall, opening and piloting the parachute, and finally to landing. A tandem skydive last for approximately 20 minutes from take off to landing with approximately 45 seconds spent in freefall and around 5 minutes spent under the parachute.

If you require a female tandem skydiving instructor for any reason then, given enough notice, we will try our best to arrange this for you. Female tandem instructors are very few and far between but if we are unable to arrange a female instructor then you will be informed.

Static Line Skydiving

Static Line Skydiving is a type of skydive where your parachute is deployed by a fixed cord. Approximately 9 hours of training is required before doing a static line skydive - the skydive usually takes place the day after the training, but no previous experience is necessary.

You exit the aircraft from approximately 5,000ft (0.9miles, 1.5km) and approximately 4 seconds spent in freefall before the static line deploys your parachute. The static line is a fixed cord, one end of which is attached to your parachute whilst the other end is attached to the aircraft. The static line is around 15ft (5m) in length and, as it pulls tight upon exiting the aircraft, it opens the parachute regardless of actions taken or not taken by you.

Once the parachute is deployed you put your training to use by piloting the parachute to the landing area.

Static Line Skydiving allows you continue skydiving in order to become a fully qualified skydiver.

Accelerated Freefall Skydiving (AFF)

Accelerated Freefall skydiving is a type of skydive whereby you wear your own parachute and you are not attached to an instructor. After you have undertaken a full day of intensive skydiving training, you are able to skydive from full altitude, usually around 12,500 ft (4km), with the assistance of two skydiving instructors who skydive in the air with you.

The instructors are not attached to you as in a tandem skydive but are instead holding on to grips on the legs and arms of your jumpsuit. You open and pilot your own parachute. AFF skydiving is suitable for, and popular amongst, first time skydivers and it requires no previous experience.

General

The feeling of freefall is similar to the floating sensation you have in a swimming pool coupled with strong winds brushing past you. Skydiving does not give you the same sensation of going over the edge on a roller-coaster. Skydiving is relaxing whilst also being the biggest exhilaration you can imagine.

As a beginner skydiver you will have very few movements to make however you will be taught all of the movements required in your training. Experienced skydivers are able to perform very complex, intricate and artistic moves whilst skydiving and many competitions are scored on the accuracy and speed of these movements. During a tandem skydive your movements will be controlled by the instructor.

Tags: challenges, skydive, tandem skydive, static line skydive, aff,

Skydiving > Various Medical

Last updated on 7th December 2010

We've addressed a number of medical related skydiving concerns here.

Breathing

You can breathe during your skydive. Even though you will be falling at up to 120 mph, it is easy to breathe. The wind which enters your lungs does not enter at full speed as it is slowed as it passes through your nose and mouth. The maximum height that the skydiving centres fly to is 15,000ft where there is plenty of oxygen available.

Asthma

Asthma can be a restricted medical condition, but the need to obtain medical consent depends on the severity of your asthma. You will skydive from an altitude where the air pressure will be lower than that at ground level and so it may be slightly harder to breathe. If you are in any way unsure please consult your doctor. A guide to skydiving and asthma is available here: British Parachute Association (BPA) Asthma advice.

Hearing

Whilst in freefall the noise of the air rushing past your ears prohibits you from hearing anything else including your instructors voice. This noise does not appear particularly loud and is often unnoticeable during your skydive as your other senses take in the full experience. Once the parachute has opened you are able to speak freely to your instructor and can hear other sounds around you. Impaired hearing is no barrier to tandem skydiving.

Some skydivers do experience their ears “popping” during the ascent in the aircraft due to the decreased air pressure. During the skydive, as you descend to higher pressured air, your ears should return to normal. It may be the case that you need to take action to “unpop” your ears once you are on the ground. This is usually done by pinching closed your nostrils whilst trying to exhale from your nose.

Sight

All skydivers wear clear plastic goggles so that they can fully enjoy the view. On a clear day you will be able to see for several miles during your skydive. If you do wear contact lenses or glasses then these should be securely attached and worn under the goggles provided. Blindness or impaired vision is no barrier to tandem skydiving.

Physical Disabilities

If you have a physical disability or if you are a wheelchair user then this does not necessarily mean that you are unable to skydive. Medical consent is required before you skydive and extra steps may need to be taken at the airfield. Many of the instructors have experience of skydiving with people with physical disabilities. Please also contact us to make us aware of any special arrangements that must be put in place.

Dental

If you have recently had any dental work, including a filling, then you should obtain medical consent from your dentist.

Tags: challenges, skydive, medical, tandem skydive, aff, breathing, asthma, hearing, sight, disabilities, dental,