Jumping from an airplane at an altitude of 9,500 feet or more, even when equipped with a harness and parachute, can be daunting or downright scary for some people. The more daring look at it as an adventure. Skydiving requires keen concentration, the ability to carry 35 pounds of equipment on your back and general good health. The actual jump and the training that precedes it will increase physical strength and boost your self-esteem.
Tandem Skydiving
According to the United States Parachute Association, tandem skydiving is the safest introduction to the sport. At Chicago Skydiving, training for a tandem jump takes an hour. The skydiving instructor will be harnessed to you during the fall. The student shares a parachute with the instructor. This gives first timers a sense of security. The actual free fall only lasts a minute, followed by a canopy ride of 7 to 9 minutes. Tandem skydives should be attempted during clear, warm weather.
Drop Zones
Skydiving drop zones, or pre-arranged landing areas, ensure parachutists a flat, clean place to end their jump. When looking for a skydiving school or club in Illinois, make sure they are on the list of USPA sanctioned drop zones. As of August 2010, the USPA approved 11 drop zones and their affiliated clubs/instructors in the state of Illinois.
Recreational Facilities
Well-equipped, safety-conscious skydiving facilities offer students recreational facilities to get in shape for parachuting. Most skydiving schools in Illinois have facilities in rural areas with plenty of space for practice jumps and training. Skydive Chicago, in Ottawa, Illinois, 75 miles from Chicago, has a 230-acre complex with training rooms, a pool table, a volleyball court and access to horseback riding and camping in a nearby nature area. Skydiving requires strength and discipline, so a school with additional sports and fitness facilities will improve the coordination you need to be a skilled parachutist.
Accelerated Free Fall
Skydiving students who want to experience free fall without being attached to an instructor's parachute system can train for accelerated free fall. This method requires training on land for 5 hours. Students must learn body movement and memorize the hand signals that instructors will use to communicate with them during the fall. Two instructors jump alongside the student, holding onto his harness until the student deploys his own parachute. Illinois Skydiving Center, near Champaign-Urbana in central Illinois, offers advanced students AFF training for jumps with one instructor.
Safety Precautions for Beginners
All legitimate skydiving operators require prospective parachutists to sign a form that states that they have no underlying medical condition that might cause illness, injury or difficulty during your jump. If you suffer from epilepsy, back problems, arthritis or high blood pressure, you might be required to bring a doctor's note to prove you're able to complete the jump. Ask questions during ground training if you're unsure about an instruction. Keep a calm, mature attitude about your first skydive. Fear and nerves will cloud your judgment. This makes it difficult to remember your training and follow instructors' hand signals while in the air.
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