Frequently Asked Questions

* Why on earth would I jump out of a perfectly good airplane?!
- You had a perfectly good parachute.
- The door was open.
- The plane was crowded.
- To check if gravity still works.
- Why not?

1. What should I wear to go skydiving?
Dress as you normally would based on the weather. Keep in mind that we generally leave very early in the morning when it is chillier. Make sure to wear secure, closed shoes (no Uggs or sandals). Also, nothing too bulky because you will be wearing a jumpsuit over top.

2. What should I bring?
Sometimes at the drop zone there can be a lot of wait time. We recommend bringing homework, games, or other things to occupy time. There is also a game room and volleyball net provided, so we like to engage everyone in group activities as well. Also, snacks/food/food money are recommended. There are sometimes dogs at the drop zone, so if you are allergic be sure to bring the appropriate allergy medicines.

3. Can I bring a camera in the plane with me?
No!! Bringing your own camera onto the plane can pose a safety hazard to both yourself and other skydivers. Plus, you will be falling at a rate of about 120mph; it would be rather difficult to hold on to! Only certified professionals with special skydiving cameras are allowed to take pictures/video. Feel free to take tons of pictures on the ground!

4. How can I get awesome skydiving pictures/video?
Skydive Delmarva provides the option of having a professional jump alongside you and document your experience. The price is $99 and is not funded through the club. The pictures/video are definitely worth it (see the "Photos" section for some examples). Additionally, we have some great club photographers who take ground pictures for free!

5. What happens if my trip gets canceled?
Sometimes bad weather is part of the sport of skydiving. If the weather is posing a safety hazard, the trip will be canceled. If this is the case, all students will receive a voucher for their spot that can be used at any time; this means on future club trips or on your own. The voucher locks in all of your discounts. We do our best to accommodate voucher-holders because we know it can be hard to make it out to the drop zone.

6. I don't want to skydive anymore. Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, the Skydiving Club does not offer refunds. If you change your mind, you have the option of selling/giving your voucher to someone else. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to call the drop zone and inform them of the switch.

7. Can I bring friends and/or family with me?
YES! In fact, we encourage it! This is a very exciting experience! They can even jump if they want to as well, however the club cannot provide them with the same discount.

8.How are we getting to the drop zone?
The club very much appreciates volunteer drivers. Since we don't have our own bus or anything, we form car pools and follow each other there. We encourage all passengers to contribute gas money to the driver.

9. What should I eat?
Eat as you would normally. This is especially important if you are nervous - we don't want you passing out! If we have some downtime, we have the option of going out to lunch, but again it's a good decision to bring some snacks!

10. Do I have to tip my instructors?
Tips are not mandatory, however they are highly encouraged. An average tip for an instructor would be about $10-15 and for a videographer about $5-10. It's nice to appreciate the people who are keeping you safe!

11. What are the requirements of skydiving?
You MUST be at least 18 to make a skydive, even with parental consent. You must also weigh less than 240 pounds (225 for AFF students). Also, you must be EXCITED!!

12. Does landing hurt?
We can't speak for everyone, but from our personal experiences, landings are generally soft. It is sometimes compared to jumping off of a two-foot high stepladder. The instructor who is attached to you will touch down before you do, so also long as you do what they say, you will come back to Earth unharmed!

13. Can I jump alone?
We have another program, Accelerated Freefall, that can provide you with the training you need to jump alone. Learn more about the program in the "Accelerated Freefall" section. You cannot jump alone if you don't have any training.

14. Will I be able to breathe during freefall?
Unless you have a medical condition, not being able to breathe is really all in your head. However, if you feel like you can't breathe, just scream!

15. What does freefall feel like?
Skydiving doesn't feel like a rollercoaster. Because you reach your terminal velocity so quickly, you don't really get that weird falling feeling in your stomach. It feels like floating with a lot of wind in your face! Also, because you are so high up, the ground isn't coming at your face like in the movies!

16. How high do we jump from?
We jump from approximately 13,5000-14,000 feet! You will freefall for about a minute and then the parachute comes out around 6,000 feet. You then have an amazing 5-7 minute canopy ride back to the ground.

17. What happens if my parachute doesn't open?
In the very rare case that your main parachute does not open, there is a spare. Your instructor is extremely experienced (with 6,000 + skydives) and will know what to do in the situation.

18. What is it like when the parachute opens?
When the parachute opens, you will feel a slight jolt, but it's nothing too intense.

19. Can I control the parachute?
Yes! Just ask your instructor. He/she may even let you deploy the parachute (don't worry, they'll pull if you don't!). Under canopy, your instructor can teach you how to make turns and maybe do some cool tricks!

20. Is there anything I can't do before I go skydiving?
Yes. Do not go scuba diving within 24 hours of skydiving (it can really mess up your body). Also, do not consume drugs or alcohol. You will be filling out a 7-page safety waiver acknowledging that you are in your best condition to skydive.

21. How far away is the drop zone?
Skydive Delmarva is located about 2.5 hours away from Towson in Laurel, Delaware.

22. What if I wear glasses or contacts?
The drop zone will provide goggles to wear during your jump. Everyone has to wear them, not just people with glasses. The goggles will be able to fit over your glasses - just make sure you wear them tightly!!

23. What kind of plane do we jump out of?
Skydive Delmarva has a Twin Otter which seats about 20 jumpers. The aircraft is very well maintained and is regularly inspected. It may get a bit crowded in there, but don't worry - you'll be jumping out soon!

24. What happens if get in the plane and reeeeally don't want to jump?
No one is forcing you to jump. If you sincerely change your mind in the plane. just tell your instructor and he/she will make accommodations. Unfortunately, you will not be refunded if you decide not to jump. Keep in mind, when you're in the door about to jump, "NO" sounds a lot like "GO!"