Indoor Skydiving: Tandem Skydiving - A Great Place to Start

For most first-time skydivers, the initial experience will involve being harnessed to an experienced skydiver. This gives the beginner the thrill and learning opportunity while leaving control of the jump to the instructor. Other than a few simple instructions before the jump, the student will not have to make any critical decisions. All things considered, this is the safest way to make an initial dive.

But some may prefer not to be harnessed to an instructor, wanting to get the total experience and be in control of their own sky dive. For those who insist on solo skydiving from the start, schools and instructors provide stern lessons in the health risks of leaving an airplane while it is so far above the ground. (Jumping from the plane isn't really the risk the experienced skydiver is passing on). There are severe anxiety issues that could cause a first-time diver to forget all the instruction and safety issues. In addition, the human body is not made for the low levels of oxygen and the differences in air pressure at such altitudes.

Consider Health Conditions

Those thinking of taking up the sport of parachuting or skydiving should first consult a family doctor to determine if there are any health issues that might make the experience life-threatening. Neurological disorders, heart conditions, blood circulation problems - all these can be reasons not to pursue the sport.

People with hypertension or high blood pressure should probably not pursue skydiving, even in a tandem situation. Though people with health issues do experience skydiving with the help of an instructor, some medical conditions should definitely keep certain individuals away from this activity. Hypertension can be triggered by the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere, for example. Those who are controlling hypertension with medicines should still talk with their doctor before skydiving. In addition, those with cardiovascular problems and heart problems may want to avoid skydiving because the low levels of oxygen can lead to serious problems.

I Am Generally Healthy

Even those who enjoy overall good health should understand that it takes a strong muscle/skeleton structure to land after a dive. Fractures, back problems and serious arthritis could be reasons not to attempt this sport. Not only that, but some people have had negative experiences with skydiving because of what they thought was a minor ear or sinus condition.

With all this in mind, tandem skydiving may be a great way for the adventurous individual to add to the list of exciting activities they experienced in their life.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many resources on sky diving related topics published at http://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com .Read additional info on extreme sports or indoor skydiving Wisconsin Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Indoor Skydiving: Learn About It - The Skydiving Simulator

Simulated Skydiving - A New Kind Of Thrill

There are several ways to experience the excitement of the sport of skydiving and most of them involve an airplane. But for those who want to get a taste of this amazing sport without jumping from an aircraft several thousand feet in the air, there is always the skydiving simulator. The what?

This safe and reasonably-priced indoor adventure may be just the answer some people have been looking for. From humble beginnings as a vertical wind tunnel at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the skydiving simulator has grown in popularity to the point that there are facilities in nearly every one of the United States, as well as in several countries around the world.

History Of Simulated Sky Diving

The first skydiving simulator was actually developed and used for that purpose immediately. In 1964, engineers and scientists constructed a vertical wind tunnel at Wright Patterson and eventually the structure was used to training the Army Corps parachute team.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is credited with offering a simulated skydiving facility to the public (Las Vegas, 1982). This same company opened a vertical wind tunnel facility in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee as well. These two skydiving simulators have since provided considerable fun and excitement to thousands upon thousands of visitors.

How It Works

The idea behind a vertical wind tunnel that is used to simulate skydiving is really very simple. Huge fans generate winds up to 120 miles per hour upward through a well-sealed tunnel. Individuals don the standard jumpsuit, goggles and helmet and then get into the center of this tunnel. The wind pushes the person upward and allows the individual to get the sensation of flying. Because the wind speeds are about the same as that experienced in live skydiving, the individual also gets much of the physical sensation of skydiving. Other than some minimum weight restrictions, any generally healthy person can enjoy this activity.

Some instruction is necessary, due to the physical nature of the simulation. Instructions are given to help the individual hold their body position properly and to provide hand signals that the student and instructor use to communicate. No special knowledge is necessary to try this unique experience. Because of the popularity of simulated skydiving, there are facilities reasonably close to nearly everyone. For those who don't have the finances or the desire to actually experience skydiving from a plane, there is always the skydiving simulator. Try it!

Andrew Caxton is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on simulated sky diving forhttp://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com. Read additional info on skydiving simulators or skydiving simulator fans Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Indoor Skydiving: Paragliding vs Skydiving - Which is For You?

Are you dreaming to fly? Nowadays people have several options to fulfill such a dream - much more than in the near past. You can try things like flying an ultralight airplane, making BASE jumps, flying a hang glider or paraglider, skydiving and indoor skydiving. In this article I'll focus on two of the most popular options - both are "engine free" - flying your own light sport aircraft is really complex and expensive, so let's not talk about that. Let's instead of that see whether Paragliding or Skydiving is the right sport for you.

What Is Paragliding?

Paragliding is a recreational activity, considered an extreme sport, practiced by using an engine-free aircraft. The aircraft used in paragliding are extremely simple and they are often called just "wings". A typical paraglider consists of a fabric wing and a harness. There is no cockpit like in the "real" gliders neither a hard wing like the ones that hang gliders have. Exactly this however is one of the important reasons for the raising popularity of paragliding - paragliders are affordable and don't take much space. You can even put one in a large backpack, which certainly can't be done with a glider.

In paragliding you are launching the aircraft by foot - usually people use hills where they run and jump to start flying. Paragliding gives you good amount of control over the flight. Although not generally used for transportation, paragliders can serve for this purpose because one flight can continue up to several hours. Of course that depends on the weather conditions, your skills and other factors.

What is Skydiving

Skydiving looks similar to paragliding because of the equipment but the similarities probably end here. Skydiving is an extreme sport that involves jumping with a parachute from an airplane. Unlike paragliding, skydiving evolved from a practical activity used a lot in the military as a safety mechanism for airmen. Skydiving jumps generally continue less than paragliding flights because the jump is simply said a movement from up to down instead of horizontal flying. The parachutes in skydiving offer less control of the flight than the paragliders do. Skydiving is often practices also as performance sport - groups of skydivers perform various figures. This is less likely in paragliding which is more a sport for pure pleasure of the individual or the tandem who flies.

Paragliding vs. Skydiving

The advantages of paragliding over skydiving are mostly two: in paragliding you have more control and can fly much longer. You can also choose a direction for your flight and travel some distance. The second major advantage of paragliding is that you don't need an airplane to lift you - just find a hill, run and start flying. It's so cool indeed.

Skydiving however also have its advantages. First, you don't need to run - the airplane does the job for you and you can concentrate entirely on the activity you wanted to do in first place. Second, in skydiving you can reach higher altitude - often the jumps start at 12,500 feet - 14,500 feet above the ground level. You can't go as high in paragliding unless you have some really high mountains near you. And third, the feeling of the free fall before you open the parachute is something that can't be compared to anything.

Does that mean that skydiving is riskier than paragliding? Learn on our site about skydiving safety and skydiving risks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_De_Charo