Skydiving Safety: What You Should Know
Tandem Skydiving
Table of Contents
- Is Skydiving Safe?
- Safety Measures We Take
- Skydiving Safety Statistics
- How Safe Is Skydiving With An Instructor?
Key Takeaways
Skydiving is an extreme sport, but modern technology, strict training standards, and a strong safety-first culture have made it more accessible than ever. Skydivers jump with multiple layers of redundancy – like dual-parachute systems, RSLs, and AADs – to mitigate the risk inherent to the sport. While risk can never be completely eliminated, skydiving today is a well-regulated and carefully managed activity that about 3.5 million people enjoy every year.
Skydiving safety has exponentially increased throughout the years, but does that mean that an extreme sport like skydiving is safe? Let’s dive into some of the safety measures we take in the sport, tandem skydiving instructor qualifications, and some skydiving safety statistics.
Is Skydiving Safe?
How safe is skydiving? Skydivers will be the first to admit that skydiving is an extreme sport that carries inherent risk. Because we understand the risk, we are laser-focused on mitigating it so we can continue to do what we love, all day every day, all year long!
Safety Measures We Take
The safety of skydiving depends on a number of things, most notably our use of advanced technology and the culture of our sport. Time has been skydiving’s biggest asset. Over time, the community and industry have developed sophisticated technology and gear, safety-oriented habits, and a collective stance that anything less than safety-first is unacceptable.
Skydiving Technology
Numerous aspects of skydiving equipment and technology have improved dramatically over the history of our sport. Three major components of skydiving safety that every tandem skydiving setup is equipped with are a dual-parachute system, an RSL, and an AAD.
Dual-Parachute System
Today’s parachute systems include two canopies – a main and a reserve. Should the canopy pilot suspect or encounter an issue with the main parachute, it can be cut away and the reserve parachute can be deployed in its place.
RSL: Reserve Static Line
The RSL is a line, or lanyard, that is attached to the reserve parachute closing pin and the main canopy risers. If a jumper has a malfunction and decides to cut away their main parachute, the RSL aids in quickly initiating deployment of the reserve parachute. Many times, the RSL deploys the reserve before the skydiver even has the chance to manually do it (although it’s always recommended that they do)!
AAD: Automatic Activation Device
An AAD is a small computer inside a skydiving rig designed to serve as a critical backup safety system. It continuously monitors a skydiver’s altitude and rate of descent during a jump. If it detects that the skydiver is still in freefall at a dangerously low altitude (typically indicating that the main parachute has not been deployed), it is designed to automatically activate (hence, the name) the reserve parachute. AADs save lives!
Culture
How dangerous is skydiving? We would never say that skydiving is safe – it’s not safe. But statistics show that the danger of jumping from a plane is greatly diminished by a culture focused on safety.
Skydivers are often mistaken as adrenaline junkies with a death wish, but nothing could be further from the truth. We’re rigorously trained and licensed athletes and hobbyists who keep each other in check. Each United States Parachute Association (USPA) dropzone has a dedicated Safety & Training Advisor. Skydivers mentor and help one another, and we conduct gear checks on each other before every jump.
Our very favorite thing to do is jump out of airplanes and to land safe and sound with our pals. Safety is our top priority.
Skydiving Safety Statistics
Each year, the USPA produces a fatality summary. This summary breaks down how many fatalities occurred, why they occurred, and advice on how to prevent similar fatalities from happening in the future.
According to the 2025 report, there were 16 skydiver fatalities. A total of approximately 3.47 million skydives were made in 2025, making the fatality rate 1 in ~217,000 jumps. While each loss is significant and deeply felt within the skydiving community, this statistic helps put the overall risk into perspective.
How Safe Is Skydiving With An Instructor?
Skydiving with a tandem instructor is the best way for a novice to make a jump. Why? Instructor qualifications:
Training
A candidate who desires to earn their tandem skydiving instructor credentials must have:
- A minimum of 500 skydives
- At least 3 years in the sport
- USPA D License (the most advanced license issued)
- Federal Aviation Administration Class III Medical Certificate
Experience
Tandem skydiving instructors have many hundreds – and oftentimes thousands (or even tens-of-thousands!) of jumps. They have logged a whole lot of time in freefall, have a strong understanding of canopy flight dynamics, and have landed in various conditions.
Dedication
As mentioned, tandem instructor candidates must have been skydiving for at least three years and have logged at least 500 jumps before they can even enroll in a tandem skydiving instructor course. Prospective tandem instructors have a proven commitment to the sport and a passion for sharing the joy of the sky with others.
Ready to Meet Your Tandem Instructor?
Ready to meet your tandem instructor and experience the freedom of human flight? Book your jump at Skydive Key West – we’re a USPA Member Dropzone located in one of the best places to skydive in the country! We can’t wait to jump with you – blue skies!
