Trying new things

As a skydiver returning to the sport after a 2.5 year absence, I can explain the process to getting certified to jump on your own. First I would recommend a tandem jump if you have not done one before. That way you can decide if you have the guts to do it over and over again. You put on a harness before you get on the plane and get paired with an experienced instructor who will go over some basics like body position and where to put your arms after you exit the plane. I did my first tandem jump right before high school graduation and the instructor had over 1000 jumps over a span of 20 years. It was such a rush that decided to learn AFF about 5 months later while in college.

AFF is what you do to get certified to jump on your own. It requires at least 7 jumps (depending on whether you pass each level) with instructors and costs anywhere from $1000 to 2000 depending on the dropzone you do it at. You go through a ground school course for a few hours and then your first jump at the end of the training. Ground school covers emergency procedures, possible malfunctions, body position, and altitude awareness. You will take a written test but its very easy. You get in a student rig and have two instructors with you that will keep you from freaking out so to speak. The best thing to do is relax and rehearse in your mind how it will go. All that you need to do on that jump is 3 practice touches to your pilot chute, checking your altitude, and checking with your instructors on either side of you. As you progress, you will be jumping with one instructor and soon you will be able to control yourself and be able to recover your body position while in freefall. Once you pass the level 7 jump, you are cleared to jump on your own. After 25 jumps you qualify for an A-license and are cleared to jump at almost any other dropzone.

I have about 90 jumps and hope to reach 100 by the end of the month. It gets pretty expensive but it's a great topic to talk about on a first date or any date for that matter. No girlfriend currently, but I'm getting there. Good luck to you and I hope this helps.

AJ