First Time Tandem Skydiving: The Complete Guide to Your First Jump

Key Takeaways 
Tandem skydives are fully guided by a certified instructor from takeoff to touch down. Most first-time skydivers feel nervous beforehand, but understanding the process – from check-in and training to freefall and landing – helps make the experience far less intimidating. Preparing properly by eating normally, staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and arriving early can make a major difference in your comfort level on jump day. At Skydive Carolina in Chester, SC, tandem skydives from 14,000 feet combine incredible views, unforgettable adrenaline, and a supportive first-time experience built for beginners.

If you’re searching for first time skydiving tips, chances are you’re equal parts excited and nervous right now. That’s completely normal. Most first-time jumpers arrive with a mix of anticipation, adrenaline, and a lot of questions about what the experience will actually feel like.

At Skydive Carolina in Chester, SC, your first tandem skydive is 100% professionally-guided. You’ll be securely attached to a certified tandem instructor the entire time as you jump from about 14,000 feet, experience freefall at 120 mph, then slow down under canopy for a scenic parachute ride back to the landing area.

The best thing you can do before your first time skydiving? Relax! How do you do that? Know what to expect. Let’s dive in. 

Your Day at the Dropzone: Step-by-Step

One of the biggest surprises for first-time skydivers is that the experience is more straightforward and structured than they imagined. While the jump itself happens quickly, plan to spend about 4 to 6 hours at the dropzone. This timeline depends primarily on weather – we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature! 

Arrival & Check-In

The most intimidating part of a skydive is driving to the dropzone – we promise! Once you get here, you’ll check in, finalize payment, complete waivers, and meet your tandem instructor. Arriving about 30 minutes ahead of your reservation time helps you settle in and avoids starting the day feeling rushed.

Training & Gear-Up

Before your jump, your instructor will walk you through the basics: what happens during exit, body position, what to expect during freefall, and how landing works. You do not need previous experience for a tandem skydive.

After training, you’ll get fitted into your harness. It’s optional, but you can wear a jumpsuit to avoid any unwanted grass stains or scuffs that may happen from landing. Either way, please wear closed-toe shoes that lace up, and flexible, weather-appropriate clothing. Think: what would I wear to do some mildly strenuous activity outdoors today? And then wear that! 

The Plane Ride to Altitude

The ride up to the exit altitude usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. For many first-time jumpers, this is when the nerves peak. Suddenly you’re in a skydiving airplane with a bunch of strangers, facing backward, and people are about to start jumping out – WHAT!? 

Your instructor will handle all the technical aspects of the jump, so your job is simply to listen, breathe, and enjoy the view as you climb above the hills and fields of South Carolina. 

Pro Tip: Practice breathing before you’re in the stressful situation. Learning to control your heart rate through breathwork is super helpful. We like box breathing: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, and keep repeating until you’re back in the moment!  

The Exit & Freefall

The moment you leave the aircraft feels less like a roller coaster drop and more like being lifted into strong wind. It’s pretty hard to describe, you just have to experience it! One of the most common tandem skydiving misconceptions is that your stomach drops when you exit, but that doesn’t happen. The relative wind from the airplane moving forward prevents this! The butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling can happen when doing a turn under the parachute, just communicate with your instructor if you want to limit this. 

Freefall lasts around 45 seconds and is often described as sensory overload (in a good way)! Rushing wind, incredible views, and pure focus on the moment. Many avid skydivers say skydiving relieves their stress, and we think this is true for moments like freefall that innately force you to be 100% present. 

Under Canopy & Landing

Once the parachute opens, everything becomes quiet and peaceful. Yes, skydiving can be peaceful! It’s common for tandem skydiving instructors to let their students (you!) steer the parachute a bit on the way back to earth – this truly is once-in-a-lifetime unless you get your skydiving license! 

Don’t worry, your instructor will guide the landing. Remember: the landing is debatably the most important part of the skydive, it’s critical to listen to direction from your instructor. 

Do you feel G-force when skydiving? You can feel a small amount of gravitational force (g-force) while under the parachute making a turn! 

12 First-Time Tandem Skydiving Tips From Our Instructors

What should I know before my first jump? Skydiving instructors have many hundreds or many thousands of skydives, but they started exactly where you are – with no jumps! Here are their top tips:  

1. Book an earlier jump time if possible. Morning conditions are often smoother and weather delays are less likely. Buuuut, there is also something special about a skydive to end the day! 

2. Eat a normal, moderate meal beforehand. Skydiving on an empty stomach usually makes people feel worse, not better

3. Stay extra hydrated throughout the day. Don’t let dehydration steal your joy!

4. Dress like you’re heading to a light workout or long walk. Comfort and total freedom of movement are key. Close-fitting clothing is best.

5. Wear secure sneakers, not sandals or heavy boots that prevent your ankles from bending while in a squat.

6. Get a full night of sleep before your jump. If sleeping with nerves is hard, at least lie down and rest your body for a decent amount of time.

7. Arrive a bit early so you can relax and settle in. Rushing will increase your stress and anxiety level. No bueno.

8. Tie back long hair and take off jewelry. Will jewelry absolutely fly away? Probably not, but it could! Keep valuable and sentimental pieces on the ground.

9. Avoid alcohol or recreational substances before jumping. If you’re suspected to be under the influence, you will not be jumping. 

10. Tell your instructor about motion sickness or medical concerns, such as previous shoulder or spinal surgeries, ahead of time. They can only help you if they know they may need to! 

11. Breathe normally during freefall, don’t hold your breath. If breathing feels strained, yell! Yelling pushes air out and forces our bodies to take a big breath back in. 

12. Add a photo or video package. First-time skydiving goes by fast, and most people are glad they captured it afterward! Media packages help you relive the jump and share it with others. We document other significant moments in life, why not this one?

How To Mentally Prepare When You’re Nervous 

Fear (about heights or something else) before a tandem skydive is incredibly common, even with people who are genuinely excited to jump.

The anticipation is usually the hardest part of any new or intimidating thing, right? It’s the same with skydiving! Once you arrive, the training starts and you focus on the process, which makes most people feel calmer. By the time the parachute opens, many first-time jumpers are already talking about wanting to do it again! 

A few things that help:

• Focus on the next step instead of the entire jump. One thing at a time! 

• Listen to your instructor instead of overthinking. They know best, and have been in your exact shoes! 

• Talk with people who have done it on the ground. Before your jump is the perfect time to chat with those around you who took the leap! 

• Stay hydrated! We know, we mentioned it before. But eating and drinking water are critical to keeping your blood sugar in check, which helps keep your heart rate down, which helps to calm your mind. Take care of yourself! 

Skydive Carolina is a USPA-member dropzone, and safety procedures are built into every part of the day. If you have any questions about skydiving safety or how we keep it first, reach out, we’re happy to help. 

Tandem Skydiving Requirements

What is it like to go skydiving for the first time? Exciting! But before booking your first jump, there are a few important requirements to know:

• You must be at least 18 years old and show a valid government-issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport.

• Weight limits apply for tandem skydiving – the weight limit for tandem skydivers at Skydive Carolina is 225 lbs with clothes and shoes on.

• Certain medical conditions may require approval before jumping. Talk with your doctor if you think you may fall into this category! 

If you have questions about eligibility, reviewing the tandem FAQ page before your reservation or contacting us with any questions can help ease those pre-jump nerves! 

What NOT to Do Before Your First Skydive

There are a few common mistakes first-time jumpers should avoid. Here are the dos and don’ts of skydiving: 

• Don’t drink alcohol or do drugs – come on, y’all. Need we say more? 

• Don’t skip meals or hydration! Do eat! 

• Don’t hide injuries or medical concerns from your instructor. Do communicate!

• Don’t assume weather delays will cancel your jump. Do call ahead if you’re concerned! 

• Don’t show up late and increase your stress level unnecessarily. Do show up on time! 

Lastly, don’t pressure yourself to “act fearless.” Being nervous and excited at the same time is part of the experience. OWN IT!

Ready for Your First Tandem Skydive?

Whether you’re checking off a personal bucket-list goal or simply trying something completely outside your comfort zone for fun, tandem skydiving is one of those experiences that stays with you forever – it’s life changing! 

Skydive Carolina in Chester, SC offers tandem skydives from 14,000 feet with experienced instructors, awesome views, and a straightforward first-time experience designed to help you feel prepared from the moment you arrive.

Book your tandem skydive today and see why so many first-time jumpers leave already planning their next one! Blue skies!