Can I Skydive with My GoPro?

We live in the digital age, baby! I think we can all agree when we say that it’s almost a rarity to see anyone experience anything (especially something as monumental as skydiving) without recording themselves doing it! We get it – not only do you want to prove to your friends/family/coworkers that you did it, or show them the beauty that you witnessed firsthand,  but also getting video of your experience is a way to have a little piece of that memory with you forever to relive again and again. 

So, when you’re about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of your lifetime – SKYDIVING – one of your first thoughts might be “how can I record myself skydiving?” It’s an important question to ask ahead of time. There are rules that come with bringing a camera skydiving and ways you can ensure that you get video footage of your jump.

Can I Skydive with My GoPro?

No, you cannot use your own GoPro or camera for tandem skydiving or any other jump until you are a licensed skydiver and are approved to jump with a camera. No one loves the messenger who brings bad news, but there’s no arguing with the rules – sorry! The same goes for skydiving with a phone, or any other handheld camera/device for that matter; it’s a no-go.

Why Can’t I Skydive with a Camera?

Safety! A GoPro, phone, or other camera may seem like an insignificant item, but it packs a lot of potential danger that just isn’t worth the risk. For starters, you probably won’t be able to keep hold of the little device in your hand while flying at 120 mph. So, not only will you have to say bye-bye to one of your most prized possessions, you’ll also risk injuring someone either in the sky or below on the ground.

More importantly, one of the most common issues that could occur is a line snag on the parachute mid-deployment. Yikes! That’s why videographers, or skydivers who are approved to fly with a camera, are trained to avoid or minimize the snag opportunity. They fly with the camera attached to their wrist or helmet, and fly their bodies in a way that avoids obstruction with the important equipment – the equipment that saves both of your lives. 

Of course, crazy things can still happen. This is why skydivers who fly camera are trained on how to handle a snag-related situation, should one occur. As a rule, skydivers train for the worse-case scenario.

Camera Flyer Requirements

For licensed skydivers, camera flyer requirements differ depending on which skydiving association, or governing body, represents your dropzone. If you are unsure of the requirements at your dropzone, or are planning on traveling to a different dropzone, contact them in advance to ask about their requirements. 

In the U.S., the United States Parachute Association (USPA) has strict regulations on who is permitted to jump with a camera. To be a camera flyer, a skydiver should:

• Have a USPA C License (recommended; 200 jumps)
• Have enough jump experience to handle any skydiving emergency or minor problem
• Possess freefall flying skills well above average
• Make at least 50 jumps on the same parachute equipment to be used for camera flying
• Know the experience/skills of all the jumpers in the group

Other countries have different requirements. Here are some examples:

Skydiving Association	Camera Flyer Requirements
Australian Parachute Federation, Ltd. (APF)	At least a Certificate Class CApproval of DZSOFunctioning, approved audible altimeter
British Parachute Association, Ltd. (British Skydiving)	C LicenseApproval of a CICameras must be securely fitted
Canadian Sport Parachute Association (CSPA)	At least a B CoP and 200 jumpsCompetence in applicable freefall disciplineAt least one functioning audible altimeterAutomatic Activation Device
New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA)	C Certificate200 jumpsNecessary camera skills
Parachute Association of South Africa (PARA)	B License recommended or approval of CI/SOFunctioning altimeter and audible altimeterHook knifeAu-fait with camera cutaway procedure

How to Get Video: Leave it to the Pros!

While you, yourself can’t record while skydiving, someone else can! Luckily, most dropzones offer video services that can be added onto your skydive. 
Different skydiving centers offer different video options. You will typically see handcam, sometimes called handycam, as an option. This is where your instructor will capture your entire experience from a wrist-mounted camera in a “selfie” view. Some dropzones also offer outside video. This is where you will have a dedicated camera flyer whose sole purpose is to capture your skydiving experience from every angle in a “third-person” view. Check with your dropzone to see if you can even add both options to get allllll the angles.

Is Skydiving Video Worth It?

“Is skydiving video worth it?” This is a common question we often see … and the answer is always the same: YES! 

Skydiving video isn’t just an upsell opportunity for dropzones, it’s a valued service for tandem skydivers and skydiving students because there’s no other way to safely capture video of your perhaps once-in-a-lifetime experience! The actual act of skydiving is fast and, because your body is flooded with adrenaline throughout, it feels like it goes by even faster. Without video, your memory of skydiving could be a blur. Having the opportunity to relive your experience and see yourself accomplish something out-of-this-world is priceless. 

So, leave your GoPro at home and enjoy the thrill of skydiving in the moment. In most cases, your video will be in hand no more than 24 hours after you land, and in many cases it’ll be available almost immediately. And when you post your life-changing adventure online, don’t forget to tag the dropzone that helped you achieve the gift of human flight! Blue skies.