The Facts about Skydiving
January 23, 2011 by Skydive Website
Filed under Sky Dive Articles
Have you ever wanted to go skydiving and experience this incredible adventure personally? If so, you’re not alone. This is considered to be one of the most exciting sports around and certainly one that you would never forget. However, before you venture out and tackle this extreme sport you should know the facts about skydiving.
When skydiving was first invented it was not created for the thrill and it was called parachuting. It was actually created to give passengers of airplanes an escape route in the event the plane received damage or experienced mechanical problems while in the air. In 1797 Andre Jacques Farnerin made the first successful recorded parachute jump out of a hot-air balloon. Later it became a sport for thrill seekers.
At first, there were many anti-skydiving activists that were against making it a sport because it was reviewed as being too dangerous. However, as the facts became clear and the statistics proved that skydiving accidents were few and far between, the protest began to subside. As long as the safety procedures are followed and quality gear is used the fatality rate is very low. Studies show that in the United States the death toll from skydiving accidents average about 1 out of 100,000 of the jumps made.
Another fact about skydiving that you should know is that you don’t have to be a physical person to participate. You need to be generally in good health and be strong enough to handle the gear and pull the release ropes for the parachute but you don’t need to be a weight lifter or other type of athletic person.
It’s good to know that this sport is not just for the very rich even though many people think it is. Anyone can parachute from a plane provided they can afford the equipment. This can be a little expensive because it’s vital you have quality gear but not impossible. After purchasing the gear needed you can find sponsors that will finance skydiving for charity purposes or you can volunteer for special events. There are also companies available that will rent you the equipment needed to make a jump so you may want to consider this option.
Here is one fact that everyone would agree on, skydiving is one of the most exhilarating sport you could ever take part in. What could be more thrilling than free falling towards the earth at amazing speeds. However, it does take a dedicated person with lots of courage to conquer their fears and take part in this amazing sport. It will be the thrill of a lifetime and something you will always remember.







