The Truth About Skydiving Safety

Overview

• Skydiving is an exhilarating sport enjoyed by tens of thousands globally.
• Like any sport, skydiving has inherent risks, but measures are in place to mitigate them.

Safety Statistics

• USPA recorded 3.5 million jumps in the US in 2015.
• There were 21 fatal skydiving accidents, translating to 0.006 fatalities per 1,000 jumps.
• Tandem skydiving, involving an experienced instructor, has a higher safety rate with 0.002 fatalities per 1,000 jumps over the past decade.
• Statistically, risks are lower compared to being struck by lightning or stung by a bee.

Risks Involved

• Most risks occur during advanced maneuvers like "swooping" which involves parachute work to increase descent speed.
• Main risks include:
  • Parachute malfunctions (1 in 1,000 chances)
  • Injury on landing (e.g., failure to lift legs during landing)
  • Injury during freefall (often when jumping with others)

Risk Mitigation Strategies

• Skydiving training is rigorous and military-styled to manage risks effectively.
• Parachute malfunctions are countered with a backup parachute and clear handling processes.
• Tandem students are trained to lift legs during landing; experienced jumpers use PLF for safe landing.
• Freefall injuries are mitigated using AADs (automatic activation devices) that deploy reserve parachutes if the main parachute isn't deployed timely.
• Recent technological advancements have further enhanced skydiving safety.

Additional Information

• Tandem skydivers receive a 20-30 minute briefing on equipment before jumping.
• For further inquiries on skydiving safety, contact the Skydiving Company.