What you need to know before your first tandem skydive
Like most people, you probably have some mixed feelings about your first tandem skydive. Nervousness, excitement and adrenaline (and so much more) are most likely all cycling through your head in anticipation of your first jump. Or maybe you’re just all-around stoked. Either way, it’s your first skydive, and you want to make it as awesome as possible. Here are a few things to know to fly through your first skydive with safety and ease:
First, the health stuff
Good physical health is always a plus in any sport.  If you’re taking prescription drugs for an illness, you are required to have a doctor’s certificate stating that no adverse effects will result from making a parachute jump. If you just went SCUBA diving, you can’t jump within 48 hours of your dive. Also, you can’t skydive within 24 hours after giving blood. So plan accordingly.
Worried about age? We’ve had people jump that are over 80 years old, so bring your grandmother or great-grandfather along, too! The only age restriction is that you have to be at least 18 years old. So if you’re not yet 18 years old, start planning your 18th birthday jump!
Another common concern is weight. No need for concern in most cases, but there are special restrictions if you weigh more than 200 pounds.
As for anything else, over the years Skydive Santa Barbara has introduced skydiving to paraplegics, quadriplegics and even someone who was blind. Wondering if you should jump because of a certain health condition? Give us a call and we’ll work with you to determine if tandem skydiving is right for you.
Planning your jump
Sometimes skydiving can be a last-minute spontaneous decision, but we definitely recommend you book your jump in advance. At Skydive Santa Barbara, walk-ins are only accepted if space is available, so booking in advance is your best bet to ensure you get to jump out of the airplane on the day you prefer.
What you should (and shouldn’t) wear
- Clothing: Loose fitting, comfortable clothes are ideal for your first tandem skydive. If it’s cold, wear something warm – a hoodie, sweater, long pants… you get the picture. Dress for the weather on the ground. At Skydive Santa Barbara, you can choose to wear a jumpsuit to keep you even warmer.
- Shoes: Athletic shoes are your best footwear option — you don’t want to lose your shoes in freefall!
- Other personal items: Remove everything from your pockets, and be sure to leave your jewelry, wallet, purse, and other valuables in your vehicle. We’ll have a safe spot reserved or your keys. Anything else you’ll need for your first tandem skydive, such as goggles, we supply. If you have glasses, we provide specific goggles that protect your eyewear.
- Anything else: Want some crazy-looking photos from your jump? You’re not alone. If you’re thinking about sporting that ridiculous looking onesie you wore last Halloween or some other fancy/funny/creative outfit or costume, you might want to call in advance to confirm it will be safe for skydiving.
These are just a few of the things to know before your first tandem skydive. If you want to read more, you can visit our tandem skydiving FAQs here. If you have additional questions, feel free to call Skydive Santa Barbara and ask – we’re always here to help, especially if it will make your first tandem skydive more memorable.
Stay tuned to check out future posts on tandem skydiving, skydiving solo, and more! If you want to check out some awesome tandem skydiving photos from Skydive Santa Barbara in the meantime, visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Blue Skies,
– The Skydive Santa Barbara Team
