Safety
Skydiving Safety Day
Spring is a special time of year for skydivers, especially in the Midwest. We start preparing to take to the skies again after a long, winter hibernation. At Skydive Midwest, we start jumping in late March or early April. There’s lots to do to prepare for another season of 7-days-a-week skydiving. One of the most important things we do before resuming jump operations is host Safety Day.
Read MoreWhat if my Parachute doesn’t open?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions among tandem students. It is a reasonable thing to ask before throwing yourself out of an airplane. Here’s everything you may (or may not) want to know about what happens if your parachute doesn’t open or “malfunctions”.
Read MoreWhat is an Automatic Activation Device?
An AAD is a small microprocessor that monitors a jumper’s speed and altitude during a skydive. It does this by measuring changes in barometric pressure. If a jumper is still traveling at freefall speeds when they reach the minimum deployment altitude for safety, the device is designed to automatically deploy the reserve parachute. A small pyrotechnic charge triggers a cutter, which severs the closing loop that keeps the reserve parachute contained.
Read MoreTandem Skydiving Weight Limit
Skydiving equipment is extremely durable and well-made. The harness alone can withstand thousands of pounds of force. However, safety is our number one priority and we always abide by manufacturer specifications, federal regulations and USPA requirements.
Read MoreSafety in Skydiving: Minimizing Risks
“Is skydiving safe?” This is one of the most common questions about the sport. Although millions of successful skydives are conducted each year and the risks are relatively low, they are not zero. As with any extreme sport, there are inherent risks. However, there are a few things you can do to contribute to your own safety. Most of this information will be taught in your training class on the day of your skydive, but it doesn’t hurt to hear it more than once.
Read MoreSafety Regulations in Skydiving
Skydiving is a highly regulated activity and efforts to make the sport safer have grown exponentially since it began. There are currently 2 governing bodies which regulate most skydiving operations: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Parachute Association (USPA. Though risks cannot be eliminated completely, let’s dive into the efforts to make skydiving as safe as it can be.
Read MoreTandem Skydiving Safety Report
Though it is not required, Skydive Midwest hosts annual retraining and evaluations for contracted tandem instructors. We invite a representative from United Parachute Technologies, manufacturer of the tandem skydiving equipment system, to audit our operation and provide supplemental education for instructors annually.
Read MoreCanopy Coaching
Canopy Coaching The struggle is real. One of the most common challenges to new skydivers is mastering landing a parachute. The reality is, it’s not an easy thing to do well. It takes lots and lots of practice and continuing education through canopy coaching. If you’re a student or new jumper and you feel the…
Read MoreRecurrency Checklist
recurrency Checklist: What should I review before jumping again? So, you’re coming off of an absence from skydiving for whatever reason. Perhaps you’re at a Northern DZ and you haven’t jumped all winter. Or maybe you’re returning from an injury. Maybe you had a personal or financial reason for taking a break. Whatever the reason,…
Read MoreIs Skydiving Safe: Five Things to Know Before You Jump
Is Skydiving Safe: Five Things to know before you Jump If you’re thinking about skydiving, you’re probably wondering, is skydiving safe? The answer is: Tandem skydiving is one of the safest ways to skydive. However, skydiving is an extreme sport. Like any extreme sport, there are inherent risks. That’s why it’s crucial to work with…
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