Skydiving, Do you have the courage?

 Skydiving- Do you have the courage?
Douglas Perry

Flying at speeds of 125/mph can be a lot of fun. You are deifying the laws of gravity; you are flying. My first jump I will never forget. It was a mix of excitement and fear. It was the most amazing experience in my life. You feel like you are flying. The sound of the wind passing by you is incredible.

I went skydiving to prove to myself that I can do anything. It’s an extreme sport and I’m looking for thrills.  I’ve always thought the idea of flying to be pretty cool I’ve always thought the idea of humans flying to be pretty cool. With modern technology, right now it is the closest experience to flying itself. It was truly amazing; I would do it again in a heartbeat.

In order to keep this extreme sport safe there is a list of requirements needed to be met in order for you to try it. In most places you must be over the age of eighteen, or in some places 16 with a parent’s consent. You must also be in good physical condition in order to go.

If you want to become a licensed skydiver, you will have to complete a certain amount of jumps. Once you get your licence, you can then buy your own gear. The cost of good skydiving gear can range from $5000-$10,000. Once you have your gear you can skydive on a regular basis for about $30 a jump.

Some reasons why you should try skydiving are:
 1.It is a once in a lifetime experience
2. You can prove to your family/friends you’re not afraid
3. Skydiving can relieve stress because of its sense of danger and excitement
4. It is the closest thing humans have to flying
5. You’re not too old! The oldest known skydiver was over age 90!

I will try to answer some FAQ about skydiving.

What will my first skydive be like?
Your first time skydiving, you will be with a fully licensed instructor. This two person instructional jump is called a tandem. Before you go up in the air you will take a brief lesson. 

What are the odds in my parachute not opening?
The chance of your parachute not opening is rare but it still happens. In this case you would just use your second backup chute. Every parachute has a backup chute as well.

How much will my first skydive cost?
The cost of your first skydive will cost about $300. Most places offer a video package for an additional fee. If you think about it, you’re getting a pretty good deal. The cost of the instructors, the plane and everything else is quite pricey.

How many people are killed in skydiving related incidents?
About 30 people die each year from skydiving in the U.S. alone.

How many people skydive each year?
Each year, approximately 350,000 skydive. Somepeople try it for their first time; while others skydive on a regular basis

How high do you jump from?
Average is 7000ft-13,500 ft

How much time do I freefall for?
Well this depends on the altitude. The average is about 30 seconds freefall time, and a couple of minutes after the parachute is pulled.

So are you brave enough to conquer skydiving? Or will you join many other people with the same fear? You decide.