SKYDIVING-ROCKS.COM
 
Are You Healthy
Enough for
Tandem Skydiving
Tip! When you show up to skydiver, you should wear lose, comfortable clothing and running shoes. Restrictive clothing, sandals, or open toed shoes should not be worn.
If you want to try skydiving, and have never done it before, your first jump will probably be a tandem skydiver. That's where you are harnessed to an experienced skydiver, who controls the entire dive. He or she may have some simple instructions for you to follow, but the experienced diver can take over if you forget what to do. It is also a very safe way for you to take your first skydiver.
Not everybody should do a tandem skydiver, however. There are some health risks involved in skydiving in addition to the obvious risk of jumping out of an airplane. In fact, the jumping out part is not very risky at all. The health risks come mostly from anxiety and the high altitude, where there is very little oxygen and the air pressure is low.
Some Health Considerations for Tandem Skydiving
Neurological problems: Anybody who has epilepsy, black outs, or who has had a head injury or stroke should at least check with a physician before trying a tandem skydiver. The low air pressure can cause various tissues in your head to expand or contract and can cause neurological damage. On the other hand, people who are partially paralyzed can safely do a tandem dive, as long as the paralyzed limbs are securely immobilized.
Tip! Most skydiving companies have an age restriction of 18 years and over. A parent cannot sign a document for a minor saying that they are allowed to jump, there are usually no exceptions to this rule.
Hypertension: Anyone with uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) should stay on the ground. The anxiety, oxygen lack and changes in air pressure can precipitate a hypertensive crisis. If you have hypertension that is controlled and that you take medication for then you should still check with your doctor before doing a tandem skydiver.
Cardiovascular disease: If you have any kind of cardiovascular disease, including heart problems or a history of stroke, check with your doctor first. Lack of oxygen at high altitudes could cause you to have a heart attack.
Pulmonary or lung disease: Once again, you should check with your doctor before trying a tandem skydiver. Having chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma doesn't mean that you cannot do a tandem jump, but there will be less oxygen available to you when you first jump out of the plane. If you have had a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), it may not be safe for you to do a tandem skydiver.
Tip! You can try skydiving by with a traditional tandem skydiver. This is a parachute jump in which you are strapped to a tandem instructor, and after a short briefing, are ready to go!
Musculoskeletal problems: You need to be in good enough shape to land. As well, if you have had previous fractures, back problems or have arthritis, make sure the master diver knows about it.
Chronic ear or sinus problems: Doing a tandem skydiver can be extremely painful if you have ear or sinus problems. Check with your doctor first.
Tip! Knowing all about your skydiving equipment is more than essential to your skydiving success.
Emotional problems: If you are very anxious or tend to freak out when you are anxious, a tandem skydiver might not be safe for you or the master diver.
If you are in good health and reasonably good physical condition, doing a tandem skydiver is safe and can be a lot of fun. If you have any health problems, take any medications regularly or are pregnant, however, there may be risks involved. In those cases, it's wise to check with a physician first.
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