Ultimate First Time Skydiving Guide (2026): Tips, What to Wear & How to Prepare
Table of Contents
What Your First-Time Skydiving Experience Actually Looks Like
How To Prepare: Skydiving Tips for Beginners
Common First Time Skydiving Questions
Dos & Don’ts Before Skydiving: Quick Tips From The Pros
Ready for Your First Skydive at Skydive Cross Keys?
Key Takeaways
Your first skydiving experience follows a clear, guided process – from check-in and briefing to freefall and a calm parachute ride. Preparing well by getting good sleep, staying hydrated, eating normally, and arriving on time can make a big difference in how much you enjoy the jump. Be sure to arrive sober, bring your ID, dress comfortably in athletic clothing, and most importantly, trust your instructor, embrace the moment, and have fun!
At Skydive Cross Keys, we are proud to have guided thousands of jumpers through their first skydives. We understand the questions and concerns of a beginner and have refined our tandem skydiving process to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Here’s a deeper dive into our first time skydiving tips!
What Your First-Time Skydiving Experience Actually Looks Like
What is it like to go skydiving for the first time? Life changing! But, the time leading up to the jump can be anxiety inducing. Let’s break down the process so you know exactly what to expect. Of course, some of it just has to be experienced first hand – it’s difficult to put the awe that’s inspired by a skydive into words.
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive at the dropzone by your reservation time. This will allow you time to check in, watch a video about tandem skydiving and sign liability waivers. The check-in time is allotted for familiarizing yourself with the dropzone, using the restroom, and taking photos before your jump.
Briefing & Gearing Up
Next, you’ll meet your instructor, receive a pre-jump briefing, and get geared up! This is when your instructor will explain everything – how to board the aircraft, the body position to hold during the exit and freefall, what to expect during the canopy flight, and how to prepare for landing. If you have any questions, concerns, or important things to tell your instructor, now is a great time to share your thoughts.
The Plane Ride to Altitude
The ride to exit altitude is full of anticipation! In the plane, you’ll sit on benches facing the tail of the airplane. This helps with exiting efficiently and evenly distributing the weight of skydiving gear and jumpers throughout the aircraft. If you’re feeling nervous, tell your instructor! They’re professionals and can talk with you or help you take some deep breaths to help you stay in the moment.
Exit & Freefall
The exhilaration is at an all-time high when the door of the airplane zips open. The wind will rush in and the volume will be intense – it’s go-time!! Your instructor will ask if you’re ready to skydive (either at this moment or prior to the door opening) and with confirmation from you, will move the two of you toward the open door.
The exit feels like sticking your head out the window of a car. There’s no stomach-drop feeling like you experience on a roller coaster because of the relative wind and forward momentum of the airplane. Suddenly, you’ll be in freefall, floating on a column of air!
Parachute Flight
After about one minute in freefall, your instructor will deploy the canopy and everything will instantly feel much calmer. That whoosh of relief is accompanied by stunning birds-eye views unlike anything you’ll have experienced before! With the parachute moving forward at about 15 mph, the wind offers a lovely breeze. Your instructor will steer the parachute to the appropriate area to prepare for landing and may even give you the toggles to play around a bit!
Landing
Most tandem skydiving landings require lifting and bending your legs, like you’re sitting in a chair, to prepare for a smooth, slide-in landing. Don’t worry – you’ll cover what to do and when during your pre-jump brief.
How To Prepare: Skydiving Tips for Beginners
How much you enjoy your skydive will likely lie in how well you prepare for it. Here is our best advice on how to prepare for skydiving.
- Get Proper Sleep
Skydiving for the first time is a big deal! It’s important to get a good night’s rest before an exciting adventure like jumping from an airplane. Rest up the same way you would for a day at an amusement park or a long hike. - Stay Hydrated
Don’t fall into the trap of dehydration! It’s much easier to stay hydrated than it is to regain hydration after you bottom out. - Stay Nourished
There’s a common misunderstanding surrounding eating and skydiving. Most people believe that having nothing in their stomach will prevent them from experiencing motion sickness and getting nauseous – this couldn’t be further from the truth! We suggest eating as you normally would, in moderation, avoiding greasy and spicy foods.
- Plan Arrival TimeDouble check your reservation confirmation beforehand. Account for the time of day you’ll be driving to the dropzone. Will there be traffic? Plan to arrive on time (if not a bit early) to keep things rolling and avoid extra unnecessary stress prior to the jump. If the weather looks iffy the day of your jump, give us a call before you head our way!
What To Wear Skydiving
If you’re getting a skydiving media package (pro tip: get photos and video!), wear clothing that’s bright or black to stand out against the sky.
- Athletic clothing
- Closed-toe shoes (preferably lace ups)
- Weather-appropriate layers
Just as important: What should you not wear skydiving?
- Bulky clothing
- Shoes with heels
- Sandals
- Loose accessories that might fly off, e.g. hats, scarves
- Snag hazards, e.g. jewelry, belts
What To Bring Skydiving
If you don’t have your ID, you won’t be jumping! Make sure you bring:
- Valid, government-issued photo ID, e.g. driver’s license, passport
- Layers of clothing to account for weather changes
- Extra hair ties for hair that needs one
Common First Time Skydiving Questions
Skydiving is a totally foreign activity for many, which leads to a lot of questions and misconceptions.
What should you not do before skydiving?
Drinking alcohol and partaking in recreational drug use are big no-nos before skydiving. Other (less intensive) things to skip before jumping include dehydration, not getting enough sleep, and eating wayyyy too much or too little.
What is the riskiest part of skydiving?
Skydiving is an extreme sport that comes with inherent risk. We’re jumping out of a plane mid-flight, after all! Although we do everything we can to mitigate this risk through technological advancements, extensive training, and a culture centered around safety, there is some level of it that will never fully go away. What is the biggest cause of skydiving incidents? Human error – not equipment error as some people believe. Be sure to listen to your instructor throughout your skydive.
Do you need experience to skydive?
No! The beautiful (and really cool) thing about tandem skydiving is that total novices can experience the freedom of human flight! Professional tandem skydiving instructors have a minimum of three years in the sport, at least 500 skydives, and a D License – the highest license issued by the United States Parachute Association (USPA).
Dos & Don’ts Before Skydiving: Quick Tips From The Pros
Here are a few last, but essential, tips to help you prepare for your first-time parachute jump!
- Do Your Research Before Booking Your Jump
Choose a reputable skydiving center with qualified staff, great reviews, and facilities that match what you’re looking for. Call the dropzone with questions and to check the vibe. - Take Your Jump Seriously
You’re not just a passenger on a tandem skydive. Your instructor will take care of all of the technical aspects and logistics of the jump, but you play an important role as well. Be sure to arrive at the dropzone sober and ready to follow instructions. - Prep for Freefall
Freefall is all encompassing! You may feel a bit overwhelmed at first, and that’s OK – it’s a completely normal response. Once you “settle in” though, try and relax and enjoy it. Keep your chin up; eyes on the horizon. Smile for your photos and video. If you feel like you can’t breathe, don’t stress – you can. It’s a common response to unwittingly hold your breath. Scream – it’ll force you to take a big breath in.
Ready for Your First Skydive at Skydive Cross Keys?
Going skydiving for the first time is incredibly exciting, and it’s easy for this excitement to turn into anxiety – it’s fear of the unknown! We hope this guide helped break things down, ease any nerves, and fill you with positive anticipation about taking the leap. We can’t wait to jump with you – book your tandem skydive today! Blue skies!