Sport of descending partly by parachute from an airplane or similar craft. Engaged in for both recreational and competitive purposes, sky diving involves three phases of activity: the free fall, the descent with open parachute, and the landing. In competitive sky diving, participants are judged according to their style in free fall and their accuracy in landing near a designated point. The history of skydiving began with a descent from a balloon by Andre-Jacques Garnerin in 1797. Skydiving has been used by the military since the early 1900s and it became an international sport in 1951. Today it is performed as a recreational activity and a competitive sport, as well as for the deployment of military personnel and occasionally forest firefighters.

This freefall sensation has been described by many as “floating on air” as you relax and become comfortable, your instructor may take you through a series of turns. At 5000 feet, you or your instructor will deploy the parachute. Enjoy a breathtaking ride on a modern ram air. Best of all, you will learn how to fly and control the parachute in this phase of your skydive. You will be able to practice your landings with your instructor for a smooth touchdown. This is a low pressure, high thrill and breath-taking skydive. It is a perfect first jump for those wanting an adrenaline adventure. The United States Parachute Association and its 31,000 member skydivers enjoy and promote safe skydiving through parachuting training, rating, and competition programs. USPA represents parachute jumping from aircraft and helps keep skydivers in the air.

In the US and in most of the western world skydivers are required to carry a second, reserve parachute which has been inspected and packed by a certified parachute rigger (in the US, an FAA certified parachute rigger). Many skydivers use an automatic activation device (AAD) that activates the reserve parachute at a safe altitude if the skydiver somehow fails to activate the main canopy on their own. Skydivers may also carry a visual altimeter. Some also use one or more audible altimeters as well.