Skydivers can weigh as much as 300 lbs and still go up and enjoy the thrills of skydiving. That’s because they make it a point to be fit and trim before their very first jump. All it takes is six hours of training for you to feel comfortable jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet. This is not the same for other participants in extreme sports.
The extreme sport of skydiving is not usually an option for heavier people, but if you are below the maximum weight limit, then there’s nothing to stop you from fulfilling your dream of flying through the skies like superman. Here are some things that you should know about it.
The maximum weight limit is set at 300 lbs, which includes equipment and everything else you will be wearing when the plane takes off. This also includes your parachute, but not much force is needed to pull the chute because gravity does most of its work when you are in free fall.
There are some skydivers who actually prefer heavier people because once the chute is open, you will be drifting downwards like a feather instead of plummeting towards earth like an arrow. The best thing about being heavy is that it slows down your rate of descent and gives you more time to enjoy the view.
Weight limitations vary from one parachute to another, so if you go to a place that offers skydiving lessons, be sure to ask about the maximum weight limit for the parachute used. Some places specialize in teaching overweight people how to skydive while others are simply open to everyone.
Some of the cheapest skydiving deals are offered online where you can get everything from equipment to training for a very low price. The only downside is that these deals are usually reserved for experienced skydivers and instructors because beginners might find it difficult to handle their weight when they get out of the parachute and land on the ground.
Weight limits vary from one location and instructor to another, depending on whether or not you will be using a tandem jump or a solo skydive. You will do a tandem jump if you go to a beginner’s class, where your instructor will hold onto the back of your harness and guide you down to earth with his free hand. Another instructor will be waiting at the landing zone to make sure that you land safely.
You should wear loose clothing when you go skydiving so it will be easier for your instructor to grip onto you during free fall. It would also be easier for him to pull the parachute if he is not hindered by anything around his waist. The other reason is that there’s no need to wear heavy clothing in skydiving since you will be falling with the wind.
Weight limits are also placed on aircrafts because they can only hold so much weight before it becomes dangerous or impossible for them to take off. You should keep your weight below the maximum limit during takeoff, but once you reach an altitude of 10,000 feet the air becomes lighter so you can actually enjoy your flight.
Once you are in free fall with your parachute open, it doesn’t matter how much you weigh because gravity does all the work once you are out of the plane. You will be floating or drifting gently towards earth until you reach an altitude where your parachute opens automatically. It will be the instructor’s job to make sure that you land safely in the landing zone.
The best thing about skydiving is that everyone can do it regardless of their size or weight. You just have to prepare yourself for your training and remember that it’s not the kind of sport where you wear heavy equipment. Thus, even if you are overweight, you can enjoy the amazing adrenaline rush of skydiving.
Skydiving, one of the most thrilling things to do in your lifetime. If you go to a place that offers skydiving lessons, be sure to ask about the maximum weight limit for parachutes used at their facility. Some places specialize in teaching overweight people how to skydive, while others are simply open to everyone.
Some of the cheapest skydiving deals are offered online where you can get everything from equipment to training for a very low price. The downside is that these deals are usually reserved for experienced skydivers and instructors because beginners might find it difficult to handle their weight when they get out of the parachute and land on the ground.
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Solo skydiving weight limit
A solo skydive allows you to jump out of the plane with only your parachute strapped to your back. This is the most common type of skydiving experience because it’s available for beginners and experienced free fallers. To do a solo jump, you must be below 220 pounds or 110 kilograms since aircrafts are built for people weighing less than that.
Weight limits average around 200 pounds or 100 kilograms for both men and women, depending on which parachute they will be using. A tandem instructor would not be able to hold onto a heavy person since the extra weight might cause him injury during free fall. Also, if an overweight person lands on top of him, his back might be damaged during the fall.
People who want to do a solo jump should be able to run at full speed without getting tired and should also be strong enough to handle the physical exertion of free falling. If you are overweight, it’s best if you learn with an instructor so he can guide your parachute in for a safe landing once you reach the ground.
Weight limits for tandem skydiving and sky surfing
A tandem jump is where you hold on to an instructor as he flies down from a plane or helicopter with his parachute already opened. You should be below 220 pounds or 100 kilograms if you choose to do a tandem jump because it’s not safe for your instructor to carry you with a parachute that’s designed to hold less than that.
Skydiving with a tandem instructor is the best way for beginners to try out free falling since they don’t have any responsibilities during the jump. The highest weight limit for sky surfing is around 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, but if you are not very active, it might be difficult for you to handle the extra weight since you are holding on to the instructor’s harness.
Professional skydiving companies will offer bigger tandem instructors for larger people who want to go skydiving, but these instructors might charge more depending on their skill level and experience. If you are really heavy, they might not be able to take you with them up to the plane or helicopter.
If you are overweight, it might be best to have an experienced instructor for your first dive so he can help you if something goes wrong. Most people think that it’s not safe for someone who is heavier than 220 pounds to skydive, but they don’t understand how skilled and experienced a tandem instructor is when it comes to making a safe landing.
A tandem instructor must be strong and flexible enough to handle you during free fall since a heavy person might cause his parachute to get tangled if he is not careful. He should also have a lot of experience so he can guide your parachute in for a smooth landing even when you have extra weight on him.
Skydiving weight limits for student divers
A student dive usually requires you to be at least 18 years old and weigh less than 200 pounds or 100 kilograms. This is the minimum age requirement for skydiving because it’s best if you are mature enough to handle free falling. If you are too young, there might be changes in your body while you are free falling that might not be experienced by older people.
Weight limits for student divers depend on which parachute they will be using. If you are planning to use the tandem instructor’s parachute, then you should be below 220 pounds or 100 kilograms because it has a lower weight limit than most other parachutes. You can also use your own parachute if you weigh less than 200 pounds or 90 kilograms, but it will be more expensive as you have to pay for a reserve parachute as well.
Always check the tandem instructor’s weight limits before choosing him as your skydiving partner. Also make sure that he has enough experience to handle someone who is heavier than 220 pounds since it might be difficult for him to guide your parachute in for a smooth landing.
It’s best if you choose an instructor who is flexible enough to handle someone who weighs more than 220 pounds since there are some tandem instructors who aren’t that strong or flexible. Once you decide on the tandem instructor, ask him about his experience so you can be confident that he will guide your parachute in for a safe landing.
Do they weigh you before skydiving?
No. At least not in any reputable facility. The only thing that matters is your combined weight and equipment, because it’s about how much momentum you can generate when you jump out of the plane.
Some of the cheaper places will weigh you and request a special skydiving suit. If so, ask if they have any in your size. It should be much cheaper than buying an entire outfit.
How strict are skydiving weight limits?
A lot of places don’t even have a limit, since both men and women can actually skydive safely. However, there are some facilities that cater to overweight or obese people. Also, if someone is very tall then they might need special equipment to be able to skydive.
If you are not too overweight, there’s no need to worry about weight limits at all. You can just buy your own skydiving suit and equipment.
However, if you are considering skydiving lessons then it’s best to ask about weight limits up front. You don’t want to end up paying for a product that you cannot use because of something as trivial as your weight.
Weigh yourself first before buying new gear and be sure to check out all the deals online. If you’re very tall then you might have to pay extra for your jumpsuit, but that’s about it. Just remember that everyone can skydive!
