Skydiving: Skydiving Accessories and Gadgets

Other than weights and jumpsuits, there are other gadgets that you may need for you jump. Here are some of them.

Altitude Devices

Altimeters are one of the obligatory pieces that you would use for skydiving. You may be surprised with the vast variety of choices. However, it is recommend that you use one that's easy to read and can give you outstanding after-sales services. In fact there are ones that even give free lifetime warranty for your device. Such kind of service is especially useful if ever you drop your device on the creeper pad.

Audibles

Even though these are not strictly compulsory, you might enjoy the extra security and benefits of wearing one. Although you do not really have to rely on it, getting an extra altitude warning would be very useful. These are very useful if you're doing various disciplines like: freefly, flat-fly, and breaking off high. This is because your freefall time would vary from one dive to another.

If you want to go freeflying, most coaches wouldn't let you jump if you don't have an audible, since they're such a helpful safety precaution, especially if you're learning how to fly with higher speeds.

Choices would vary from the basic models or the top of the line, which would also act like a log book, measuring your freefall time and speed, and could be connected to a computer to get more statistics. Basically, the more the functions, the higher the price would be.

Helmets

This is yet another mandatory piece. If you'll be buying one, you should consider bother safety and comfort. You should try on as much as you can so you'd find the perfect fit. If you want extra protection, wearing a full-face would be your right pick. It also gives added security if you're wearing contact lenses.

However, open-faced helmets can allow you easier communication, since you're able to see the whole face of the person. Nevertheless, they don't protect your mouth and jaw. You would have to get another pair of goggles for this one.

There are also leather frappe hats. Although they do meet the mandatory requirements of wearing a helmet, these can provide you little protection only from injuries. If you're an experienced diver, these can be an acceptable choice.

Gloves

These are exceptionally useful as protection for your hands. Wearing a pair can protect you from scrapes, line burns, mishaps, and the cold weather. To know if a pair is good for skydiving, they must be appropriately thick to protect you from the cold, while thin enough that you can still feel your handles. To ensure that gloves are suitable for skydiving, you should buy from a skydiving store instead of a general sports shop.

Hook Knives

Hook knives are also important when you're jumping. This is another safety measure, just in case you'll be having a line-over malfunction with your reserve chute. There are various types of hook knives and they all do work. In choosing one, you should get a piece that you particularly like yet can still conveniently fit in your rig. Placing a hook knife on your chest strap is not really a good idea, since it can be easy to lose. Your leg strap is the more preferred choice. To keep your knife sharp, try not to use it for other tasks.