Tandem skydiving is an exciting and thrilling activity that draws millions of people each year. It’s a unique way to experience the freedom of falling through the sky, especially for beginners who have little to no experience with skydiving. But the question that often comes to mind for first-timers is: Is tandem skydiving dangerous?
In this article, we will explore the risks, safety measures, and overall safety record of tandem skydiving. By breaking it down into manageable parts, we’ll provide you with an in-depth yet straightforward answer.
What Is Tandem Skydiving?
Tandem skydiving is a form of skydiving where a novice skydiver (referred to as the “tandem student”) is securely harnessed to an experienced instructor. The instructor, usually a highly trained professional, controls the jump from start to finish. This includes the freefall and parachute deployment, making it a safer option for those who want to experience skydiving without extensive training.
The process is simple:
Preparation: The student receives a quick briefing on what to expect, followed by the fitting of a harness and gear.
The Jump: The student and instructor board the plane and ascend to the required altitude (typically 10,000–14,000 feet).
Freefall: Once at altitude, the tandem pair exits the plane, freefalling for around 30–60 seconds before deploying the parachute.
Parachute Descent: After deployment, the parachute slows the descent, and the instructor safely guides the student to the ground.
The primary advantage of tandem skydiving is the minimal preparation required. Since the instructor handles most of the technical aspects, a beginner can enjoy the thrill without having to undergo a long training process.
The Risks of Tandem Skydiving
While tandem skydiving is generally considered safe, it’s important to acknowledge that, like any extreme sport, it comes with some level of risk. However, the level of risk involved in tandem skydiving is far lower compared to solo skydiving, thanks to the extensive training and experience of the instructors.
1. Equipment Failure
Skydiving relies on several pieces of equipment working perfectly. The main parachute, the reserve parachute, the harness, and the automatic activation device (AAD) all play critical roles in ensuring a safe jump.
While equipment failure is extremely rare, it is still a possibility. Modern skydiving equipment is built with multiple redundancies to reduce the risk of failure. For example, if the main parachute fails to deploy, the reserve parachute is designed to open automatically. Additionally, the AAD is programmed to deploy the reserve parachute if the skydiver hasn’t done so by a certain altitude.
How Rare is Equipment Failure? The United States Parachute Association (USPA) reports that in 2020, there were 11 fatal skydiving accidents out of 3.3 million jumps. That equates to about one in 300,000 jumps, which shows that equipment failure is a very rare event.
2. Human Error
While the instructor is highly trained, no system is immune to human error. However, the chance of error is minimized because instructors undergo rigorous training and certification processes before they can perform tandem jumps. They also follow strict protocols and safety checks before each jump to ensure everything is in order.
Human error can occur during the landing phase, where the instructor is responsible for ensuring a soft and controlled landing. But even in this case, the risks are low. Tandem instructors are trained to handle landings in various weather conditions and terrain types, making them well-equipped to manage the risks associated with landing.
3. Weather Conditions
Weather plays a significant role in the safety of a skydive. Strong winds, thunderstorms, or low cloud cover can all pose significant risks to a jump. To mitigate this, most skydiving companies monitor weather conditions closely before and during the day’s jumps.
If weather conditions are deemed unsafe, jumps are canceled or rescheduled. Wind speeds over 30 mph, for example, can make it difficult to control a parachute, while low cloud cover can impair visibility.
As a tandem student, it’s important to be flexible with your jump date, as safety is always the top priority. Inexperienced jumpers should never attempt to skydive in poor weather conditions.
4. Health Risks
Skydiving is a physically demanding activity that requires a certain level of health and fitness. While it is not necessary to be in peak physical condition to go tandem skydiving, individuals with certain medical conditions should consult their doctor before making the jump.
Some conditions that may affect your ability to safely participate in tandem skydiving include:
- Heart conditions
- Severe asthma
- Pregnancy
- History of seizures
- Recent surgery or injury
Skydiving companies often ask for a medical release from a doctor for anyone with known health concerns. Furthermore, some centers may have weight limits or restrictions for tandem students to ensure that the instructor can safely manage the jump.
5. Malfunction During Freefall
Although the risk of malfunction during freefall is incredibly low, it is still a possibility. For example, if the instructor fails to properly deploy the parachute, it could lead to a dangerous situation. However, since the instructor has extensive training, the likelihood of such an event is negligible.
In tandem skydiving, the instructor has the responsibility for deploying the parachute and guiding the descent. If something goes wrong during freefall, there are multiple fail-safes in place, such as the reserve parachute, automatic activation devices, and the instructor’s experience in managing emergencies.
How Safe Is Tandem Skydiving?
Despite the risks mentioned above, tandem skydiving remains a very safe activity overall. As noted earlier, the fatality rate for skydiving in the U.S. is around 1 in 300,000 jumps. This is significantly lower than many other activities, such as driving a car or riding a motorcycle.
Here are a few factors that make tandem skydiving safe:
Instructor Experience: Tandem instructors undergo rigorous training and must have completed hundreds or even thousands of solo skydives before being certified. Their experience plays a critical role in the safety of each jump.
Advanced Equipment: Modern skydiving equipment is equipped with numerous fail-safes, including automatic activation devices and reserve parachutes. These safety mechanisms greatly reduce the risk of equipment failure.
Strict Safety Protocols: Skydiving centers adhere to strict safety protocols and regulations set by governing bodies like the USPA or the British Parachute Association. These guidelines ensure that jumps are conducted in a safe and controlled manner.
Conclusion
Tandem skydiving is an exciting adventure that is generally very safe. The risks involved are low, especially when compared to other extreme sports. The primary factors contributing to its safety are the experience and training of the instructor, the advanced equipment used, and the strict adherence to safety protocols.
While no activity is completely without risk, the probability of a dangerous incident occurring in tandem skydiving is minimal. By choosing a reputable skydiving center with qualified instructors and checking weather conditions before your jump, you can further ensure that your tandem skydiving experience will be as safe as possible.
Related topics:
