Tandem Skydiving

Tandem jumps are meant to offer an introduction to the sport. They allow the neophyte to "take a ride" with an experienced jumper. A tandem jump requires from 15 to 45 minutes of ground preparation (it is not a First Jump Course). It consists of an experienced jumper called a "tandemmaster" and the passenger. The passenger and tandem master each wear a harness, however only the master wears the parachutes. The passengers's harness attaches to the front of the master's harness and the two of them freefall together for 30 seconds, open together, and land together under one Really_BIG_Parachute.

Tandem jumping provides an obvious advantage for the adventurous spirit who cannot adequately meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the S/L or AFF jumps. By relying on Tandem Master's skills, they will still be able to experience the thrill of skydiving.

Because the tandem training is not a First Jump Course, if you decide to pursue the sport, you will still have to attend a FJC in either the AFF or Static Line curriculum.

It should be noted that, in the United States, tandem jumping is still classed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an "experimental" form of Parachuting, and us such operates under waiver to certain Federal Aviation Regulations regarding required equipment. Currently the USPA (see below) is not involved in the certification or training of tandem Masters or in the setting of minimum tandem safety standards. These functions are performed solely by, and at the discretion of, the manufacturers of the tandem equipment. Among many experienced jumpers, tandem jumping remains a very controversial subject as to its safety and utility for novice training.

In all of these training methods, students are taught normal and emergency procedures for all aspects of the jump - climb to altitude, exit, opening, canopy control, and landing. They are also shown the equipment and go over it so that they understand how it works.

Nearly all student training centers now utilize sport skydiving gear. No more military surplus stuff. Students have light-weight harness/container systems in aesthetic colors, high performance canopies designed for students. No more paraboots -- students use their own tennis shoes. No more heavy motorcycle helmets -- students use lightweight sporting helmets. Ground-to-air radio for canopy control assistance, air-to-air video, on and on...