In order to perform parachute jumps, a person must meet certain requirements and have no contraindications to this sport. The first requirement concerns the age, the lower limit of which is 16 years old (in this case the presence of parents or their notarized consent in writing is required). Among the medical reasons for which may not be allowed to jump, there are: problems with vision or pressure, back or craniocerebral injuries. The weight of the parachutist should be not less than 40 kg and not more than 95 kg (although sometimes persons with a greater weight are allowed, but only of athletic physique). The parachute itself can withstand 200 kg, but the weight affects the possibilities of landing.
Anyone who plans to jump only once, medical examination can pass right on the spot, where there is always a doctor who conducts a mandatory examination of each parachutist. If there are no reasons for refusal to jump, you can go to the theoretical training session.
What a beginner should know
Before jumping, it is absolutely necessary to get knowledge in theory. At the class, which lasts about three hours, explains the general technique of jumping with a parachute (military paratrooper), also studied the actions during the stay in the airplane, in the sky and in any special situations. All commands and conditional signals to be given by the instructor are studied. If the future parachutist wants to experience all the sharpness of feelings from free fall, he is obliged to insure his life.
After the theory the practice begins: those who have already learned how to use a parachute, who know the rules and techniques of landing, sit in an airplane rising to a height of 900-950 m and make their debut jump. The first three seconds of the flight lasts without a parachute, and then the person himself or a special safety device opens one of the two parachutes. The whole jump takes three to four minutes of time.
Often there is a strong fear of landing, but given that this height gives a load on the legs equal to a jump from a height of one and a half meters without a parachute, there is nothing to fear. In addition, for beginners there is an opportunity to jump together with an instructor in tandem. In this case, you will not need to memorize all the subtleties and worry, because the instructor himself will perform all the necessary actions, and before that will only give a short briefing. During a joint jump from a height of 3200 meters, both skydivers are in free flight for about a minute until the parachute opens. The presence of the second person behind will not be felt until the beginner starts to land with his help.