Tandem skydiving is often seen as the gateway to experiencing the ultimate adrenaline rush of jumping out of an airplane. Whether you’re seeking an extraordinary adventure or crossing an item off your bucket list, tandem skydiving offers a unique opportunity to feel the exhilarating sensation of freefall while being securely attached to a highly trained instructor.
However, as with any extreme sport, safety is a primary concern for many individuals considering their first jump. When it comes to tandem skydiving, a natural question arises: Is tandem skydiving safe?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the safety aspects of tandem skydiving. From the training and equipment involved to the safety record of skydiving as an activity, we’ll explore the steps that make tandem skydiving one of the safest ways to experience freefall. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of the risks involved and the measures in place to ensure your safety when you take the leap.
What is Tandem Skydiving?
Before delving into the safety aspects, it’s important to understand what tandem skydiving entails. Tandem skydiving is a type of jump in which a beginner skydiver is attached to an experienced instructor through a dual harness system. The instructor is responsible for the operation of the parachute and ensures the safety of the skydive from the moment the plane takes off until a safe landing.
This type of skydive allows individuals with no previous skydiving experience to enjoy the thrill of freefall. The tandem instructor handles all technical aspects, including deployment of the parachute, landing, and emergency procedures, while the jumper simply enjoys the experience.
Tandem Skydiving Safety Record
One of the most reassuring aspects of tandem skydiving is the industry’s strong safety record. According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), skydiving as a whole is a remarkably safe activity, with fewer than 0.007 deaths per 1,000 jumps in recent years. These statistics have improved over the past few decades as advancements in equipment, training, and safety protocols have been implemented.
Specifically, tandem skydiving has an even lower risk of injury or accident. Since tandem instructors handle all aspects of the jump, the risk to the participant is minimized. The overall safety of tandem skydiving is bolstered by strict regulations, highly trained instructors, and the use of advanced equipment.
Comparing Tandem Skydiving to Other Extreme Sports
When considering the safety of tandem skydiving, it’s helpful to put it into perspective by comparing it to other popular extreme sports. For instance:
Tandem Skydiving: As mentioned, skydiving has a remarkably low fatality rate. With the right equipment and proper training, tandem skydiving is one of the safest extreme sports available.
Bungee Jumping: Although also a thrilling activity, bungee jumping has a higher incidence of injuries compared to tandem skydiving due to the physical impact of the jump and the higher potential for equipment failure.
Mountain Climbing: This is another popular extreme sport, but it is associated with higher risks due to environmental hazards, altitude sickness, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Clearly, tandem skydiving is one of the safer activities in the realm of extreme sports when approached with the proper safety protocols.
Training and Certification of Tandem Instructors
The safety of a tandem skydive is largely attributed to the qualifications and training of the instructors. In order to become a tandem instructor, a skydiver must undergo extensive training, certification, and practical experience.
Steps to Become a Tandem Instructor
Experience Requirements: To be eligible for tandem instructor training, a skydiver must have thousands of jumps under their belt. Typically, an instructor will need to have at least 500 jumps before they can start the training process.
Instructor Rating: After meeting the experience requirements, the skydiver must attend a training program that culminates in an evaluation. The training includes understanding how to safely conduct tandem jumps, manage emergency situations, and ensure the safety of the student.
Certification: Once the instructor has completed the necessary training, they must pass a series of tests, including both written exams and practical evaluations. After certification, tandem instructors must continue their education and stay up-to-date with safety regulations to maintain their credentials.
This rigorous training ensures that instructors are highly qualified to handle a wide range of situations and are able to effectively guide their students through the entire process, ensuring safety every step of the way.
Equipment Used in Tandem Skydiving
Skydiving equipment is one of the critical factors in ensuring safety. Tandem skydiving involves a dual-harness system, where both the instructor and the student are connected via harnesses that are securely strapped to each other. The parachute system used for tandem jumps is designed with several safety features, including:
1. Main and Reserve Parachutes
Every tandem jump uses two parachutes: the main and the reserve. The main parachute is deployed by the instructor at a predetermined altitude, and in the rare event that the main parachute fails, the reserve parachute is automatically deployed by an automatic activation device (AAD). This provides an additional layer of safety and reduces the likelihood of a dangerous situation.
2. Automatic Activation Device (AAD)
The AAD is a critical piece of equipment that automatically deploys the reserve parachute if the tandem instructor is unable to do so. The AAD uses altitude and speed sensors to monitor the jump. If it detects that the tandem jumpers have not deployed the parachute at the correct altitude or are falling too fast, it will trigger the release of the reserve parachute.
3. Harness and Leg Straps
The tandem harness is designed for both the instructor and the student to be securely connected, ensuring that the pair remains in place throughout the jump. The harness is made of durable, high-quality materials, and all straps are checked thoroughly before each jump to ensure that they are properly secured.
4. Radio Communication Systems
In some tandem skydiving setups, instructors and jumpers may be equipped with radio communication systems that allow them to stay in contact during the jump. While communication is typically not necessary for the majority of jumps, it can provide an added sense of security and ensure that any adjustments needed during freefall or landing can be communicated.
Safety Measures and Emergency Protocols
Skydiving companies and instructors take numerous precautions to ensure that every jump is as safe as possible. From pre-jump briefings to emergency protocols, the safety measures involved are designed to mitigate risks and prepare both the instructor and the jumper for any situation.
1. Pre-Jump Briefing
Before the jump, every tandem student is given a thorough briefing. During this briefing, the instructor explains the entire process of the skydive, including what to expect during freefall, how to position the body, how the landing will occur, and what to do in case of an emergency. The pre-jump briefing is a crucial component of the safety process and helps ensure that the participant feels confident and informed.
2. Weather Conditions
Skydiving is heavily influenced by weather conditions, and instructors always assess the forecast before any jump. Wind speeds, visibility, and cloud cover are all taken into account to determine if conditions are safe for jumping. In situations where the weather is not conducive to a safe skydive, jumps will be postponed or rescheduled.
3. Emergency Procedures
While tandem skydiving has a high safety record, instructors are trained to handle emergencies should they arise. The tandem instructor is prepared to react quickly in case of equipment malfunction or if the parachute fails to deploy as expected. In addition, the presence of an automatic activation device (AAD) on both the main and reserve parachutes ensures that the backup system will activate if necessary.
The Risk of Injury in Tandem Skydiving
As with any activity, there is a small inherent risk involved in skydiving. However, when comparing skydiving injuries to other activities, the overall risk remains low. The primary risks in tandem skydiving usually involve minor injuries related to landing. These injuries can range from bruises to sprained ankles, though more serious injuries are rare.
Why Minor Injuries Occur
Landing Impact: The most common cause of injury in tandem skydiving is related to the landing process. The instructor is responsible for guiding the parachute and controlling the descent, but some degree of impact is inevitable. In most cases, instructors are able to land the tandem pair safely, but occasional bumps or bruises can occur, especially in windy conditions.
Conclusion
Tandem skydiving is an incredibly safe activity, thanks to strict regulations, highly trained instructors, advanced equipment, and safety protocols in place at skydiving centers. While there are inherent risks associated with any extreme sport, the combination of professional oversight, top-tier equipment, and careful safety measures significantly minimizes these risks.