Ready, Set, Skydive: How to Prepare for Your First Jump

You’ll hear it time and time again: skydiving is an experience unlike anything else. Now, that being said (and honestly, completely true), how can you possibly prepare for skydiving, if it’s unlike anything you’ve ever done before? …With a little help from us, of course!

Preparing for your first skydive doesn’t mean you have to take an arduous trip down a search engine black hole. We’ve got the information and tips you need right here. So, allow us to make the journey a bit easier with a little step by step list for how to prepare for your first skydive.

1. Check Out Reviews and FAQs

Before deciding which dropzone you will give your precious time and hard-earned money to, it’s best to do a little research. Going over the company’s Google reviews can tell you quite a bit about the business: Are they family-friendly? Safety a priority? Customer-focused? Typically, reviews will give you a pretty fair impression of the business and its ethics. If you have the time, check ours out: you will see what we mean. 

In order to prepare for your skydive with the specific skydiving company you choose, you should also visit the FAQ’s page.  First-time nerves are perfectly normal, and perusing the information compiled within the FAQs can help to put your mind at ease. If you are looking through our FAQs and cannot find an answer to your question, feel free to give us a call. We are more than happy to help.

2. Schedule Ahead

Getting your skydive on the books is important for a variety of reasons. When you schedule ahead, you ensure you are able to secure the day and time that works best for you. Scheduling ahead also provides us with your contact information. In the event that we need to reach you regarding current weather or wait times, this information can save you time and frustration.  Finally, if you are planning on bringing a large group, scheduling ahead enables us to staff appropriately, which, in turn, helps to keep the props turning and gets you and your group in the air as quickly and efficiently as possible!

At Wisconsin Skydiving Center, we make it easy to make it official! We offer the ease of online booking and have friendly customer service representatives just a call away. 

3. Eat Moderately

One of the top concerns many of our guests have is what to eat before skydiving. First off, let us say, it is NOT a good idea to skip a meal before your skydive. Empty stomachs and adrenaline rushes just don’t mix well. But, it is also not a good idea to stuff yourself, as full stomachs can be quite unpleasant to deal with on the plane ride to altitude. Aim for somewhere in the middle: skip the greasy fast-food and eat a meal composed of lighter fare before you arrive on site. Because skydiving is a half-a-day affair, we also suggest you bring snacks akin to what you would bring on a hike. This way if things take a bit longer than anticipated, your good time won’t be ruined by a grumbling stomach.

4. Dress Down

Skydiving isn’t about looking your best; it’s about feeling your best. Overly tight or ill-fitting garments, not only get in the way of your ability to enjoy the jump, but, if they are excessively baggy, have strings, pom poms, or other dangly bits, can be cause for a safety concern. It’s best to keep your skydiving clothes simple: athletic bottoms, snug-fitting top layer, sneakers, or other lace-up tennis shoes make the perfect skydiving outfit. 

As a side note, hair whipping around during a 120 mph free fall can be quite unpleasant for both you and your instructor. So, we advise those with long hair to tie it back in a nice neat ponytail, bun, or braid. Those with long beards should also seek a way to secure their wily whiskers.

You can read more about what to wear and what not to wear when skydiving. 

5. Put Yourself In A Good Headspace

Many people are concerned with how to mentally prepare for skydiving. Knowing what you are getting into can do quite a bit to keep you feeling even-keeled, even right before the biggest adventure and adrenaline rush of your life. Before your skydive, look through photos and videos from the dropzone. Check out all those smiles! Surely with grins that big, skydiving can’t be all that scary! If you’re worried about skydiving being dangerous, take a trip over to the United States Parachute Association website and review the safety statistics. What you find will most likely leave you feeling pleasantly surprised.

While it may seem a gargantuan task to keep yourself calm just before you exit the plane and it’s “go” time, the whole process can be easily simplified to just one word: breathe. We promise we are not pulling your leg! Training yourself to breathe more slowly, regularly, and with intention can really help settle your nerves.

Feeling prepared? Let’s get you in the air. Contact Wisconsin Skydiving Center today if you have any questions or to book your skydive!