| There is a misconception that parachuting and | | | | save lives in the past, but it is not one that really |
| skydiving are not very safe. This is probably because | | | | ever needs to be used. |
| of the "caught on tape" television shows that show | | | | - Many sky diving companies are utilizing automatic |
| sky divers falling out of the sky with no parachute | | | | activation devices, or AADs. These are devices that |
| because it didn't deploy. Why those videos exist, is a | | | | detect that you are still in free fall mode after a |
| good question. The good news is that when you go | | | | certain altitude with no parachute deployed. This can |
| tandem skydiving or you begin skydiving on your | | | | save lives. Although some events are rare, there is |
| own, there are so many safety precautions put in | | | | still always the possibility. Perhaps someone is diabetic |
| place that it is difficult for any disaster to occur. | | | | and they pass out in the air, the AAD can deploy the |
| Here are the safety precautions that are put in place: | | | | parachute and save their life. This means if you miss |
| - When tandem skydiving, you are attached to the | | | | your window to pull your rip cord, the AAD can take |
| instructor with a harness. The instructor is the one | | | | care of the task for you. |
| wearing the parachute. This enables the instructor to | | | | - You do have an aerodynamic helmet on your head. |
| have control and instruct you on how to | | | | Head protection is important in case you have an |
| appropriately deploy the parachute. | | | | awkward landing or a little debris may be flying in the |
| - For tandem sky diving, there is a parachute called a | | | | air for one reason or another. The landing is usually |
| drogue parachute and it is deployed shortly after the | | | | quite soft, but you never know when you may trip |
| jump in order to slow down the fall. This enables | | | | over a rock or your own feet. You also never know |
| better security during the free fall phase so that the | | | | when a bird may be a little wild and decide to come |
| instructor can instruct where necessary. This | | | | your direction. |
| parachute is not necessary on solo jumps and may | | | | Over the years, skydiving has become safer and |
| eventually be removed from tandem sky diving | | | | safer. There is always new technology being made |
| sessions as progress is made. | | | | available to ensure the safety of each dive. This is, |
| - The main parachute is larger because of a tandem | | | | perhaps, why so few people are being met with |
| dive. It's around 360 square feet or larger. When | | | | injuries and why even fewer are being met with |
| jumping solo, the parachute is smaller than this. | | | | death. This is good news for the sky diving world. |
| - The reserve parachute is always present. This | | | | This has resulted in more people enjoying the thrill |
| parachute is necessary in case the main parachute | | | | that this activity has to offer. |
| does not open. This parachute has been known to | | | | |