What is Tandem Skydiving and What You Should Know

Tandem skydiving (or tandem parachuting) refers to the type of skydiving most often used to introduce new skydivers to the sport. During a tandem skydive, a student skydiver wears a harness which is attached at four points to a tandem instructor. The instructor is, in almost all cases, a highly experienced skydiver with a specific professional certification to instruct tandem students. The instructor guides the student through the entire jump: the pre-briefing, the equipment gear-up, the aircraft ride, the aircraft exit, the freefall, the canopy flight and the landing.

That’s the facts, but there are a few other things you oughta know about the greater story of tandem skydiving. Let’s get into it, shall we?

You should know how tandem skydiving has transformed the sport from a hard-core hobby to an inclusive experience.

When tandem skydiving was invented, it revolutionized skydiving. Previous to the advent of the tandem, most skydivers entered the sport through the static-line method. Static-line skydives require each student to exit the plane alone and conduct themselves to the ground independently. Proportionally far fewer folks were willing to undertake such a stressful introduction to the sport.

Since tandem skydiving pairs each student with an instructor that remains with the student from point A to Z, providing constant feedback and comfort all along the way, tandem skydiving allows new skydivers to remain supported in their learning process and confident of their safety. Student retention skyrocketed–and with it, technological developments that have made the sport even safer, more comfortable and more practical for long-term participation.

Tandem Skydiving at Skydive Chicago

You should know how tandem skydiving has given previously “unskydiveable” people access to the sport.

Go ahead: Google “100-year-old skydiver.” We’ll wait.

Are you not completely amazed at just how many 100-year-old skydivers there are? How many 101-, 102-, 103-, 104-, 105-year-old skydivers? It’s jaw-dropping. Tandem skydiving has allowed even great-great-grandma to get in on the freefall action. That was never possible before its invention.

We’ve take more than our share of centenarian skydivers up into the sky. And y’know what they always say, every time? That they wish they’d started jumping earlier. So get a wriggle on, buddy! That’s you they’re talking to.

You should know the safety record of tandem skydiving.

Tandem skydiving is safer, statistically, than the car ride you’ll take to get to the dropzone. Far safer, in fact. Math says that tandem skydiving is safer than spending any time at all around cows; than walking across a field in a lightning storm; than skiing; than risking a bee sting. The United States Parachute Association has been keeping statistics on the safety of skydiving since it was founded 70 years ago, and the stats speak for themselves: Tandem skydiving is not only a great way to try out skydiving, it’s an activity that the risk-averse can really get behind.

Tandem Skydiving in Chicago

You should know the kind of gear Skydive Chicago uses.

Skydive Chicago uses the highest-quality tandem skydiving gear available. We understand that student confidence is key to comfort and enjoyment, and we’ve spared no expense in procuring and maintaining the tandem skydiving equipment that inspires that confidence.

We have a many-decades-long reputation to uphold, after all! Skydive Chicago has been a legend on the world skydiving scene since we were founded–for skydivers, by skydivers, for the love of flying. And you should know how excited we are to welcome you to our ranks. Make your reservation today!

 

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