Skydiving Myths Explained

If you believe skydiving is a death-defying act reserved for adrenaline junkies, thrill-seekers, and people who enjoy falling from thousands of feet while screaming like a banshee, you’re only partially right – and we’ve got some news for you. There is a whole world of skydiving myths that need to be busted faster than a skydiver reaching their terminal velocity! From “parachutes don’t open” (spoiler: they do!) to “you can’t breathe in freefall” (spoiler: you definitely can), we’re here to dive headfirst into the truth.

From exaggerated perceptions of risk to misconceptions shaped by skydiving movies, these myths can deter many from experiencing the incredible journey of skydiving. At Skydive Orange, we want to debunk these myths and share some real skydiving statistics to give you a clearer picture of what skydiving is all about.

Skydiving Myth #1: Skydiving is The Riskiest Thing You Can Do

When people think of skydiving, they often assume it involves an exceptionally high level of risk. But actual skydiving statistics tell a different story. While there are most definitely some risks involved in skydiving, it’s not necessarily the most extreme or dangerous thing you can do in your life. 

According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), the risk of fatality in skydiving is extremely low. In 2023, they reported a total of 3.65 million jumps, 10 of which ended with a fatality – making the fatality rate 0.27 per 100,000 jumps (or 1:370,000). Tandem skydiving – where a beginner/novice jumper is attached to a professional tandem instructor – has an even more favorable safety rate of one fatality per 500,000 jumps over the last decade. 

With modern equipment, rigorous training, and strict safety protocols, skydiving risk is minimized to the greatest extreme possible so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Skydiving Myth #2: Skydiving Movies Represent the True Experience

Skydiving movies – while entertaining – often depict intense mid-air action, dramatic emergencies, and even talking during freefall. Not only do these movie scenes portray skydiving totally wrong, they also make skydiving seem a bit chaotic. 

In reality, skydiving is a carefully planned activity where safety is the top priority. We’ll be honest, we get a pretty good kick out of some of the very wrong depictions in some movies, especially when it comes to the gear *smh*. So, while the movies might make skydiving seem like an extreme series of near-misses, the actual experience is much more about enjoying the freedom of the sky and feeling at peace.

Skydiving Myth #3: You Need to Be Young and Fearless to Skydive

A common misconception is that only young and fearless individuals skydive. But why do people skydive, really? The answer is as diverse as the people who jump! Skydiving appeals to all kinds of kinds – from adrenaline seekers to those celebrating milestones or overcoming personal challenges. 

At Skydive Orange, we welcome first-time jumpers of all ages, from 18 to 90+ years old! People skydive to experience the thrill, the feeling of freedom, push their boundaries, or simply enjoy a life-changing adventure.

Skydiving Myth #4: Everyone Falls at the Same Speed

People often think that all skydivers fall at the same speed, but that’s not quite the case! While the average freefall speed for a tandem skydive is around 120 mph, there are a few scientific factors that can affect how fast you fall. These include the combined weight of the jumpers and their equipment, the amount of drag created by things like clothing or the fancy drogue tandem jumpers use to slow themselves down, and the overall surface area exposed to the wind. 

To adjust for these differences, licensed sport jumpers use a range of clever tricks. Lighter jumpers will sometimes wear weight belts to keep up with their heavier teammates, while others might wear baggier suits/clothing to increase drag and slow themselves down. Some opt for a sleek jumpsuit to slice through the air faster. 

On a tandem skydive, you’ll be in a belly-to-earth position, which offers the most surface area and the slowest freefall possible. This slow descent gives you plenty of time to soak in the breathtaking views of Virginia mountain ranges in the distance. Enjoy the ride!

Skydiving Myth #5: You Can’t Breathe During Freefall

Another common myth is that you can’t breathe during freefall. The truth is that breathing during freefall is entirely natural and easy! While the sensation of cold wind rushing past your face might seem overwhelming at first, most people quickly adapt and find that breathing comes naturally. Your body is designed to handle various environmental changes, and freefall is no different! 

And it’s not an altitude issue either, most tandem skydives happen anywhere from 8,000 to 13,500 feet – supplemental oxygen is not required until your exit altitude reaches above 15,000 feet.

Skydiving Myth #6: Parachute Frequently Fail to Open

One of the worst myths out there is that parachutes often fail to open – this myth is only designed to scare you. Modern parachute systems are built with multiple layers of safety. 

Every skydiver jumps with both a main parachute and a reserve parachute. The reserve parachute is deployed should a malfunction occur with the main parachute for any reason. The reserve parachute is inspected and repacked only by FAA-certified parachute riggers and is basically guaranteed to open. 

Additionally, all of our tandem rigs at Skydive Orange are equipped with an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that will deploy the reserve parachute automatically if it hasn’t been deployed by a specific altitude at a specific speed. Most skydiving accidents are due to experienced skydivers making bad judgment calls or pushing the limit and not due to gear malfunctions. 

If skydiving myths have been holding you back, it’s time to set those fears aside! At Skydive Orange, our experienced team is dedicated to providing a fun, unforgettable, and safe as possible experience for you and everyone at the dropzone. Don’t let misconceptions keep you grounded – book your skydive and discover the truth of skydiving for yourself! Blue skies.