Is Skydiving Safe?

How safe is skydiving? It’s a valid and important question every tandem student or person learning to skydive should ask. Why? Because while skydiving is a whole lot safer than it was decades ago thanks to advancements in tech and training, skydiving is inherently risky. In fact, fighting the fear factor is one of the reasons skydiving is so much fun!

Jumping out of a “perfectly good airplane” with nothing but a bag of fabric and string (albeit, a super sophisticated bag of fabric and string!) is a crazy idea. But, as skydiving legend Dan BC will tell you, skydiving is a dangerous sport that can be done safely.

How Safe Is It To Skydive?

Before we jump into the statistics, let’s talk in general terms. There are different types of skydiving, each with its own risks. 

Tandem skydiving involves an individual with little or no skydiving experience jumping with a highly-experienced, licensed tandem instructor. Securely harnessed together, the student is in front enjoying the ride and the instructor is in back, piggy-back style, doing the necessary work to get the pair down to the ground safely. With tandem skydiving, two people are served by one parachute.

Solo skydiving is a one person per parachute endeavor. Those learning to skydive may be accompanied by instructors who help the student navigate freefall and canopy deployment. Licensed skydivers are masters of their own (air) ship. 

All skydivers jump with a main parachute as well as a reserve parachute. In the unlikely event that the main parachute needs to be cut away, the reserve chute enables the jumper to safely continue their descent. Reserve parachutes are inspected and repacked every 180 days, regardless of whether or not they have been used. 

How Safe Is Tandem Skydiving?

It could be said that tandem skydiving is the safest method of skydiving, because:

Tandem Rigs

Wingloading refers to the ratio of the parachute (aka wing) size to jumper weight. A lightly loaded wing means the parachute is large and the weight it supports is relatively light. Tandem rigs have a lighter wing loading than solo rigs – which translates to a fun, relaxing, and comfortable ride. 

Automatic Activation Device

Tandem rigs are required to have an automatic activation device (AAD) that automatically deploys the parachute in the event the instructor does not do so manually. In some countries, licensed jumpers are not mandated to use an AAD.

Instructor Experience

Tandem instructors have a lot of experience – typically at least 500 jumps, a significant number of recent jumps, multiple years in the sport, numerous hours in freefall, and a tandem skydiving instructor rating.

Highly Regulated

Skydiving in all its forms is highly regulated, but tandem skydiving is especially so. When you have someone with potentially zero experience in the mix, there are rules, regulations, and protocols to comply with as well as stringent oversight from the agencies in charge. In the US, the “powers that be” are the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

How Safe Is Solo Skydiving?

This question is relative. How much experience does the canopy pilot have? What gear are they jumping, and what condition is it in? What’s the experience level of the other skydivers on the load? What are the weather conditions, and does the skydiver have experience in them? 

Regardless of the answer to any of these questions, the fact remains that more risk is involved when individuals have the autonomy to make 100% of the decisions at hand. Additionally: 

Sport Rigs

Fun jumpers choose their gear, including of course, their parachutes. Many experienced skydivers choose a smaller parachute, or a higher wingloading – which translates to a faster, more aggressive ride. 

Jumper Experience

All countries have different skydiving license levels. In the US there are four: A, B, C, D. (Tandem instructors have their D License.) Having a range of experience levels doing their own thing in the sky ups the risk factor. Oftentimes, though, skydivers work together in the name of individual progression, advancement of the field, and fun!

Disciplines

Licensed skydivers have the ability to experiment with and train in different skydiving disciplines, each with varying rates of risk. Examples include freefly, speed flying, formation skydiving, and wingsuiting. 

Self Regulation

A high degree of competency and a safety-first mindset keeps complacency at bay, furthers the sport, and keeps it fun for everyone … which is why the skydiving community highly values accountability. In addition to abiding by rules and regulations imposed upon them, skydivers frequently solicit feedback from their peers and also generously share it with others. 

Are Skydiving Accidents Common?

Most accidents among first time skydivers are minor – typically a rolled or broken ankle from an unfortunate landing (you’ve got to lift your legs like your instructor teaches you!!). 

It’s experienced skydivers who more frequently see injuries. This is because of the learning curve that comes with mastering skills and techniques. And while equipment malfunction is possible, it’s rare; the majority of injuries occur as a result of operator error.

What Are The Odds Of Dying While Skydiving?

The odds of dying while skydiving are, perhaps surprisingly, slim. In fact, following review of all 2021 incidents, the USPA declared that US skydiving has never been safer. 

In the US, which is home to more than 200 USPA-member dropzones, the likelihood of a fatality is 1 in 357,000 for solo skydivers and 1 in 500,000 for tandem skydivers. And this average of 1 tandem student fatality per 500,000 tandem jumps goes back 10 years!

When you compare these statistics against everyday occurrences that could prove fatal and yet we never worry about them, it’s clear that skydiving doesn’t deserve being labeled as crazy!  

So, Is Skydiving Safe?

Safe? No – but not dangerous when done safely. Do your part to be a conscientious member of the international skydiving community. 

• Plan the jump; jump the plan.
• Mitigate risk; play by the rules.
• Take care of your gear.
• Listen to your instructors, coaches, and peers.
• Don’t get comfortable; never get complacent.

And now? Research which dropzone is best for you and then GET IT!