George H. W. Bush Skydiving On 75th

A Few Things You Should Know Before You're First Skydive

You can learn the thrill of skydiving yourself by taking classes at one of the locations that offer skydiving training. In most cases, the training begins with tandem skydiving and there's a reason. When you tandem skydive, the preparation time is far less because you're attached to a certified tandem instructor. The instructor knows when to open the chute and you're simply along for the ride.

If you want the experience of skydiving but are unsure of the type of instruction to take, look closely at the three options. The first is tandem skydiving. In tandem skydiving, you're attached to a certified instructor that has charge of the cord to open the canopy. The second form of instruction is the static line. Here, you don't jump with an instructor but your parachute deploys via a static line attached to the plane. The third is accelerated freefall where you skydive with your own chute but two instructors jump with you, keeping physical contact until you or they deploy the chute.
Tandem instruction appeals to more people than static line instruction normally offered in military training or accelerated freefall for a variety of reasons. For those that aren't sure whether they want just one jump or plan to become an expert, tandem instruction takes far less time. Normally you'll be in the air in thirty minutes. You don't have to carve out an entire day.
Just as driver's training cars, tandem instruction uses one chute for both the instructor and the student. The chute has dual controls. This type of skydiving is perfect if you're afraid you'll panic and forget everything. The qualified instructor attached to the same chute helps to prevent that from occurring.
Even though static line is safe and has been used for years, there's something far more assuring knowing an experience instructor controls the deployment of the chute and not just a simple line attached to a plane. It helps knowing there's someone experienced with you in the event that something might go wrong. Normally, skydiving is safe, but that small voice in the back of your mind can often tell you differently. By being attached to a qualified instructor, it eliminates much of the fear.
Tandem instruction is easy to learn and great for almost anyone wanting to get their feet wet in skydiving. Even though George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, made a solo dive early in his career when he was shot down as a Navy Pilot during World War II, he chose to tandem skydive on his 75th, 80th and 85th birthday. He also plans to skydive that way on his 90th one. According to Bush, the ride is exhilarating. It's easy to see how you can enjoy the thrill of the jump when you don't have to worry about the mechanics of the dive.
For beginners, tandem skydiving is probably the easiest form that requires shorter training but comes equipped with a little insurance to ease their mind. You'll find tandem skydiving at various locations. The cost is less than accelerated freefall and about the same as static line. However, it takes far less training than either of the other two do and is a lot more reassuring for the first time skydiver.

Next page: Birthday

George H. W. Bush Skydiving On 75th News