Why Starting Out Tandem Is A Good Idea

Published: October 26, 2022

Let's be real, we've all dreamed of flying through the clouds. Whether you had that dream as a sprout or - with tandem skydiving being totally a real thing - much more recently, you may be considering making that dream a reality. Maybe you've even asked yourself, should I go skydiving? Orrrr maybe you are interested in fully committing and getting your skydiving license right off the bat. Either way - we will always, ALWAYS recommend starting out tandem first!

What does that mean, and why not just do a full send the first time? We've got your answers!

WHAT IS TANDEM SKYDIVING?

Tandem skydiving is one of the most popular ways to experience the thrill of skydiving without having the responsibility of operating any of the skydiving equipment or having to undergo extensive pre-jump training in order to go solo skydiving. On a tandem skydive, you will be harnessed to a highly-trained and experienced United States Parachute Association (USPA) certified tandem skydiving instructor who will be in charge of the entire skydiving experience.

WHY NOT JUST GO SOLO FOR MY FIRST JUMP?

Skydiving for the first time, whether you're doing a tandem or a solo jump, can be an overwhelming experience with all of the new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. If you choose to get your skydiving license, the overwhelming feeling of your first jump can be exacerbated if you've never jumped before.

On your first solo jump, there are a lot of things you have to remember, such as: safety precautions, gear checks, airplane etiquette, parachute deployment procedures, freefall body positions, parachute landing patterns, and emergency procedures (to name a few). The long list of things to remember can be a distraction from being able to just enjoy the realness of your first skydive.

This is why starting out tandem skydiving is a good idea. You get to fully embrace the experience without the stress of operating your own skydiving equipment. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to "try before you buy." Doing a solo skydive can be a commitment to start, and no dropzone will let you just strap on a rig and jump out of an airplane all by yourself without an extensive safety training course first. Some dropzones even require that you do a tandem skydive first before you start your ground course.

IS SKYDIVING WORTH IT?

When researching information about skydiving, you may get a little discouraged when you see the skydiving prices. However, try to keep in mind the total cost that goes into skydiving: the plane ride up to altitude, airplane fuel, maintanence of the aircraft, the meticulous upkeep of skydiving gear, and the very best sky and ground crew. When choosing which dropzone to jump with, keep in mind that the price usually matches the quality of the experience, so the cheapest skydiving is not likely to be the best option. Maybe that's not what you wanted to hear, but we promise it is totally worth it to splurge on an unforgettable and uplifting experience with a reputable dropzone!

For starters, skydiving is an ultra-empowering, happy, memorable adventure and one of the most fun things you will do in all your days. And at Skydive OC, the views of Assawoman Bay, Assateague Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Ocean City coastline are breathtaking. If you ask anyone who has been on a tandem skydive, they might have a hard time finding the words to describe the perspective they gained while on their awe-inspiring skydiving journey. It will change your life!

Skydiving can be a door that opens you up to a whole new world. It forces you to take a look at yourself and the world from a brand new angle that simply cannot be explained; it has to be experienced! Each and every first-time skydiving experience is different and unique to each individual. The overall benefits of skydiving that makes it all worth it usually ranges from physical, to mental, to spiritual.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SKYDIVING?

Physical Benefits of Skydiving

Skydiving offers some health and exercise benefits - especially if you're a sport jumper or competitive skydiver who jumps all of the time. You don't have to be super physically fit to skydive, but it does help when trying to maneuver on the airplane, squeezing through the door to exit, flying in complex body positions, and operating the parachute for landing.

Mental Benefits of Skydiving

The effects of skydiving on the brain are what keep us jumping! When you're skydiving, your body produces these incredible fight-or-flight responses which triggers a cocktail of feel-good chemicals that you might have heard of. Oh, yes - endorphins, adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin! The after-skydiving effects improve mental clarity, improve mood, and create a wonderful euphoric feeling pulsing through your body. You'll find that you have an overall increased sense of awareness because skydiving has a way of kicking your brain and body into high gear, even in the long run.

Spiritual Benefits of Skydiving

Skydiving has a way of opening your eyes to a new perspective - literally and mentally. You may even discover the meaning of life while on your spiritual sky journey! Going through this experience challenges you in a way like nothing else in the world. You'll have a moment to delve deeper into your true self, remove all the labels and let it all go. Cleanse your soul!

What are you waiting for? Start your sky-high adventure off right and book your tandem skydive today with Skydive OC! Blue skies.