First Time Skydiving Checklist

Table of Contents 

• What To Know Before Skydiving: Physical Preparation  
• What To Know Before Skydiving: Mental Preparation
• What To Know Before Skydiving: What To Bring 

Key Takeaways 

Preparing for a skydive is simpler than you may think. Physical preparation includes eating well, getting a full night of rest, and staying hydrated, while mental prep includes breathing exercises, asking questions, and gaining clarity on the process. When it comes to what to bring, show up with an open mind, good attitude, and a valid, government-issued photo I.D. proving you’re 18 years old! 

Skydiving for the first time can be intimidating, because it’s all unknown – this is why a skydiving checklist can help ease the mind of first-time skydivers. If you’re wondering, “What do I need to know before skydiving for the first time?” Read on for a breakdown of first time skydiving tips! 

What To Know Before Skydiving: Physical Preparation  

Skydiving (especially for the first time) is the thrill of a lifetime. Mentally preparing will help to soak in the experience even more! 

Don’t drink. Alcohol, or other recreational activities (ya know what we mean?), the night before your big jump is your biggest enemy. You know that icky feeling you get the morning after having one too many? Yeah, you don’t want that before you fling yourself from an airplane. Plus, even one drink can cause dehydration, which is not a friend to skydivers. 

Sleep well. A solid night of rest is essential to a positive jumping experience. Think of it this way … the night before you go to an amusement park, do you want to sleep well, or stay up all night? Even though skydiving doesn’t feel like a roller coaster, we hope it’s the former! A good night of rest helps your body to be ready to tackle the adrenaline and excitement that a first skydive brings, both mentally and physically. 

Eat right. Should you eat before you jump? Absolutely. Those who are nervous to get sick or feel woozy while jumping often think they should avoid eating altogether, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! In order to help your body’s blood sugar regulate, the nervous system stay at ease, and the tummy stay generally settled, eating is critical. Similarly, staying hydrated with water and electrolytes helps your body run like a well oiled machine, something that’s critical when it’s working in excitement-overdrive! 

Dress smart. Here in the Keys, feel free to wear shorts and a t-shirt, pretty much year-round! Elsewhere, some extra planning may have to go into your skydiving outfit. Check the weather, and remember that the temperature up at altitude is chillier than that on the ground. Layers are your best friend, that way you can stay comfortable both on the ground and in the air. 

Stretch. You don’t need to be Ironman or a contortionist to go skydiving, but doing some light stretching in the moments leading up to your jump can make the process a bit easier on the old body. Skydiving sends our bodies into something we’ve likely never experienced before – 120mph+ wind speeds! 

What To Know Before Skydiving: Mental Preparation

Physical and mental preparation for a first time parachute jump can go hand-in-hand. 

Do research. If there is a particular part of a skydive that you’re apprehensive about, look into it! There are plenty of Reddit forums where people who have recently made their first jump give advice and insight into the experience. That being said, the internet can be a confusing place when it comes to the sport, so calling your local dropzone may be your best bet to get the clearest answer. 

Ask questions. Communication is KEY in this sport! Our instructors are trained professionals that are skilled to handle any and every situation, but we can only help you if we know you need help. If you’re feeling weary about something prior to the jump (or even prior to booking), let us know. We understand exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes and can help to provide clarity and reassurance to make sure you have genuine confidence and readiness going into your skydive. 

Practice breathing. We will be the first to admit that skydiving is intimidating. Understanding the power of breath and knowing how to use it can be a helpful tool if you start to feel overwhelmed before or during the jump. What do we mean by this? People often face their anxieties by counting their breaths. We suggest trying something like breathe in (1, 2, 3, 4), hold it (1, 2, 3, 4), breathe out (1, 2, 3, 4) and hold it (1, 2, 3, 4), then repeat! Breathing in this way can help to regulate your heart rate and put you back in the moment. 

What To Know Before Skydiving: What To Bring 

Photo I.D. In order to skydive in the United States, you must be at least 18 years old. Valid, government issued photo identification is required to prove your age before you’re able to fill out a waiver and complete a skydive. Will your school I.D. or gym membership card work? Nope! Think: passport or driver’s license. 

Monies! Don’t forget your wallet! (Why is skydiving so expensive, anyway? Well, there’s a lot of pieces that go into a single jump, which costs a couple hundred bucks. There’s instructor pay, gear upkeep, airplane fuel, pilot pay, maintenance and new gear costs, and more.)

Have questions about our first-time skydiving checklist? Give us a shout! We can’t wait for you to come skydiving with us – book your jump today! Blue skies!