How to Prepare for Your Skydive

You’ve reserved your slot in the sky and counted down the days … and now it’s here, JUMP DAY! Whether this will be your first skydive or your first jump in a long time, we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks to help you prepare for your tandem skydive.

Why You Should Prepare For Your Jump

Some sports require a ton of training and preparation – and serious skydivers do a lot of both – but tandem skydivers have it easy! But that doesn’t mean you get a pass on the mental, physical, and social prep that’s in order. 

Skydiving is a BIG deal – like an uber incredible, super life-affirming, crazy empowering big deal. You want to bring your best self to the dropzone and get the most out of your possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Get to work – the time is now! Let’s GOOOO!

Prepare For Your First Skydive: Mentally

Do Your Homework

This should go without saying, but do your due diligence before booking your jump. Not all dropzones are created equal. Skydiving is inherently risky, so it’s important that you jump with folks who are obeying the rules. Read lots of reviews, phone the DZ – even visit – you want to get the vibe. Knowing you’re in good hands will go a long way on jump day.

Give The Mickey A Miss

More on this in a minute, but alcohol before skydiving is a bad idea. Between the brain fog, impaired judgment and malaise, it’s not at all worth it. When jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, mental clarity is a must.

Ask Away

We are here for you. If you have questions about anything at all, please ask. Believe when we say, we’ve heard it all – there is no such thing as a stupid question. To get the most out of your experience, you want to feel comfortable, confident and empowered, and we can help you get there. 

Focus On The Future

Anxious? One way to help you stay on top of your nerves is to visualize the experience. Picture yourself checking in … stepping into the harness … boarding the plane … jumping out … FLYING!!! … soaring under the parachute … touching down to land. How does each step make you feel? Most importantly, how do you feel after you’ve done it? (Spoiler: you feel a.m.a.z.i.n.g!) 

Mindful Breathing

Worried you won’t be able to breathe? You will. Holding your breath is a natural fear response. Meet the moment by taking deep, intentional breaths. That lovely O₂ will help you keep your head in the game and your mind in the present. Plan to scream as you exit the plane – it’ll force you to take a big breath in.

Prepare For Your First Skydive: Physically

Skip the 2-4

There’s plenty of time to celebrate your accomplishment after you skydive. Don’t resort to liquid courage to calm your nerves and send you to sleep. Trust and believe, skydiving with a hangover is. the. worst.

Get Your Zzzzzzs

There’s a lot of information to take in and emotions to process on jump day, both done best when you have a good night’s rest under you. Gift yourself the opportunity to get the most out of your out-of-this-world experience: get plenty of shut-eye.

Eat Brekkie

Some people think skipping breakfast will keep them from feeling green around the gills on jump day. Not true! The leading cause of nausea and dizziness is an empty belly and dehydration. Eat a normal breakfast – not a lumberjack plate – and drink plenty of water.

Be Comfy

The act of tandem skydiving involves wearing a snug-fitting harness that securely fastens you to your tandem instructor, a fair bit of moving around in not-so-normal ways, and, if weather rolls in, it can also involve a fair bit of waiting. In all cases, you want to be dressed comfortably. Dress for the weather; athletic clothing and runners are best.

Bring the Essentials

If you’re under 18, you must have a parent or guardian with you, and if you’re 18 and up you need your valid, government-issued photo ID. Plan to bring a cooler with snacks and water too. (Have we mentioned how important hydration is?!)

Prepare For Your First Skydive: Socially

Spread the Word

Tell your buds about your upcoming skydive and chances are they’ll want to come too! Maybe they’ll want to just watch, but others are just itching for an excuse to move from “maybe” to “most definitely.” Get a group of five or more together and you’ll all score a discount. Yes!

Arrive on Time

Your reservation time is your arrival time – as well as the right arrival time for your friends and family who want to watch you fly. Don’t be late and miss your flight! Not only will you likely get bumped from the manifest, but you might lose your $50 deposit too. Oh, and you’ll get serious stink-eye from your hype crew.  

Get the Video

We know, we know: skydiving is expensive. But freefalling through the bright blue sky is not the time to pinch your pennies. Shelling out for a media package is a wise investment. You’ll capture yourself accomplishing something extraordinary and be able to share it across your social circle.

Send a Message

Lots of people choose to make a statement with their tandem skydive by writing a short message on their hands. Popular choices include: I’m A Survivor, Take Chances, Marry Me!, Carpe Diem, and Sorry Mum!

Tee Up Your Hashtags

See others with a thirst for adventure like you, and be seen living your very best life! Don’t forget to share your love for Ottawa’s Best Skydiving Centre with #parachuteottawa and #theskyisnotthelimit.

Have other questions to complete your Prepare For First Tandem Jump checklist? Get in touch – we are here to support your skydiving journey. And if you haven’t booked your first skydive yet, what are you waiting for? Parachute Ottawa is the destination for tandem skydiving in Ontario!