Aug 09,2024
My Skydiving Experience: What to Expect
Here’s what I did for my first time skydiving experience. It might be different at other places, so be sure to ask about their rules.
Pre-Jump Orientation: When you arrive, you’ll watch safety videos and learn what to do for a tandem jump. This step is important so you know what to expect and what to do.
Clothing: For my experience, there was no strict dress code. I wore a simple outfit, but different places may have different rules. Make sure to check with your local facility.
Gear Up: After the orientation, you’ll put on a harness and goggles (the instructor will help you with this). The harness might feel a little loose at first, but they will tighten it once you’re on the plane. If you’re doing a tandem jump, you’ll be attached to an instructor. This is when the excitement—and maybe some nerves—starts!
Boarding the Plane: The mood in the plane is exciting! Unlike other planes, it’s super loud. As you go up, you might feel nervous, but the instructors are great at keeping everyone calm.
The Big Moment: When the plane door opens, the view is amazing. But this is the scariest moment, just before you jump. But once you leap out, any fear usually fades away because there’s nothing you can do to change it.
Free Fall Experience: The free fall lasts about 30 to 60 seconds, during which you’re just falling without the parachute deployed. It feels incredible—wind in your face, heart racing, and your mind goes blank. I remember just breathing through my mouth.
Parachute Deployment: Once the parachute opens, everything becomes calm and peaceful. You’ll be surprised at how smooth it feels after the excitement of the free fall.
Enjoy the Scenery: As you float down, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views. The clouds and landscape make it a memorable experience. I remember shouting in excitement and taking it all in—I could hear myself talking and felt so alive!
Landing and Certification: After about 8-9 minutes, you’ll land safely and receive your first jump certificate—a cool reminder of your adventure!
My First Time Skydiving
About two and a half weeks ago, I went skydiving for the first time. I used to think skydivers were completely nuts, but something changed this year. I kept thinking about it and telling myself I’d do it this summer. Honestly, I was about 90% sure I wouldn’t follow through and would just forget about it.
The Decision
One evening, while out to dinner with friends, I casually mentioned the idea. I expected them to shoot it down, but instead, they said, “Why not?” Just like that, my 90% doubt dropped to 30%, and we set a date for a month and a half later. After some quick research, we chose PNW Skydiving because it was the closest and seemed safe.
When the day finally arrived, my nerves were through the roof. As I got there, reality set in, and I started to freak out a little bit—okay, maybe a lot. But when my friends arrived, I began to calm down. We checked in, watched safety videos, and learned what to do for the tandem jump, including the risks involved.
The Jump
After gearing up, we headed to the plane. I thought I’d be one of the last to jump, but ended up being the last one to board, which meant I’d be the first to leap. The plane was loud, and my mind was racing with what-ifs.
When the plane door opened, the view was amazing, but I was also terrified. As the instructor moved us to the edge, I jumped, and just like that, the fear melted away. The free fall was wild—wind in my face, heart racing, and my mind completely blank. After about 30 seconds, the parachute opened, and everything turned smooth and peaceful.
Taking the Leap
Gliding through the sky was even better than I’d imagined. It was smooth and fun. Sometimes, I felt that gut-wrenching drop you get in an elevator when the instructor moved us around, but for the most part, it was just incredible.
The view was stunning—the clouds were beautiful, and I was having the time of my life. Occasionally, when I felt a shift, I thought, “Yep, we’re screwed!” and braced myself for impact. But mostly, everything was calm and peaceful. It was just me, soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
When we finally landed—after what felt like about 8 to 9 minutes—we all received our first jump certificates. The whole experience was unforgettable and showed me that sometimes, you just need to take a leap—even if it feels like you’re going to fall.
So, if there’s something you’re scared to try or have always wanted to do, just go for it. Do your research, prepare yourself, and then take that leap. If you’re in the Portland area and curious about skydiving, PNW Skydiving is a solid choice. They made our first time skydiving memorable and safe. Just remember to do your own research before making a decision.
Thanks for reading my blog! I hope you enjoyed it. Have a lovely day!