If you dream of skydiving but you are:
- Afraid of heights
- Has motion sickness
- Not old or fit enough
- Don’t have the budget
… then it’s time to consider indoor skydiving.
This sport is starting to get popular because it gives you the same feeling of freefall (almost the same as the one you get when skydiving) but in a controlled and safe space.
Is Indoor Skydiving Safe?
Indoor skydiving is generally considered to be a safe sport. So safe that even kids can participate in it. Indoor skydiving has a learning curve, as with all sports, but there will be instructors who are ready to help you get started on it.
When you do any sport, you should always consider that it may carry a risk. Indoor skydiving promises very minimal risk and a whole lot of fun.
How Safe Is Indoor Skydiving?
Compared to other flying sport, indoor skydiving is a very safe sport. Indoor skydiving companies promise their clients that the only thing they will incur is fun and not any serious injuries. This is because the whole indoor skydiving program (from check in to de-gearing) is very well thought out.
You will be fully guided by qualified instructors. Before you even step on the wind tunnel you will have lengthy safety and training sessions, so you know what you are getting into. You will also be geared up in a jumpsuit, helmet, and googles. And if you think that’s not safe enough for you, you can also wear knee and elbow pads.
Can You Get Hurt Indoor Skydiving?
If you decide to try indoor skydiving, you should be ready for all kinds of risks. But the good news is that the risk is usually just limited to small bumps and bruises that you might get from minor collisions with the walls of the wind tunnel.
There is also a possibility that you might bump with other flyers if you happen to be flying with other people. In indoor skydiving, you get all the sensations linked to freefalling without having to risk of actually jumping off of an airplane.
Can You Die From Indoor Skydiving?
Indoor skydiving is not as death-defying as its jumping-off-of-a-plane counterpart, but the experience is often described as to die for. With indoor skydiving, you get the experience of a simulated freefall, much like the sensation one would feel skydiving, but without the fear of anything going wrong that would lead to fatality.
Many indoor skydiving companies often remind their clients that if they have health problems, they might opt to sit this one out. While the sport is safe, the effect to people (especially ones with health issues) may be different.
Does Indoor Skydiving Make You Sick?
So you have decided that you want to give indoor skydiving a try. But then you remembered that you have motion sickness. Should you still go through with it?
The answer is a loud and resounding yes! The sport promises no nausea, no motion sickness, and (thank God!) no projectile vomiting.
Can You Do Indoor Skydiving With Back Problems?
No! Do not go indoor skydiving if you have back problems or you suspect having one. You will be levitated by the force in the wind tunnel on your stomach and your back will be arched. If you have an existing issue with your back, the formation may induce severe back pain.
If you also have issues with your neck or shoulder, it is recommended that you don’t participate in the sport. It is also wise to consult your doctor before trying this sport.
Can You Do Indoor Skydiving With a Heart Condition?
You also can not go indoor skydiving if you have a heart condition. This is one of the biggest no-nos of the sport.
If you have an existing heart problem, it is also advisable to get your doctor’s opinion before doing any kind of sport. They will give you the go-signal if they think that doing the activity will help be beneficial to you.
Can You Go Indoor Skydiving While Pregnant?
It is not advisable to go indoor skydiving if you are expecting a baby. While the activity is safe, you must first think of your pregnancy and your child. Unexpected things can happen when you are inside the wind tunnel and this might affect your pregnancy.
It is also not advisable for pregnant women to work in a wind tunnel. While indoor skydiving is generally a safe sport, unexpected things can happen that might cause harm to you and your child.
Is Indoor Skydiving Dangerous in Any Way?
All things considered; indoor skydiving is not at all dangerous. At worse, you might bump into the wall of the wind tunnel or a fellow flyer and go home with a bruise, or a bump, or a scrape.
Make sure to attend all the safety and training sessions before your flying time to know what to expect in the sport and how you can enjoy it properly.
How Much Do You Have to Weigh to Go Indoor Skydiving?
The weight limit varies from company to company and tunnel to tunnel. On average, the participants must weigh less than 136 kilograms or 300 pounds.
In iFLY, one of the biggest indoor skydiving companies in the world, the limit is set at 300 pounds. They remind their clients that if you weigh anything between 260 and 300 pounds, you must call their customer representative prior to your scheduled activity so they can make adjustments for you.
Other indoor skydiving companies’ weight limits may be more or less than iFLY’s max of 300 pounds. The best thing to do is to call the company in advance to make sure that you qualify for the activity.
Do They Weigh You for Indoor Skydiving?
Regulations of indoor skydiving companies may vary but most of them do weigh their participants privately during check-in. They also get the participant’s measurements and inquire about their prior injuries or existing health problems.
The weigh-in is an important part of the process because they adjust the wind speed in the tunnel according to your weight and measurements. All of these preparations are being done to make sure that you have the best time inside the wind tunnel and so that you can fly properly.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Go Indoor Skydiving?
You can start indoor skydiving as early as 2 or 3 years old. You have to remember that children under the age of 18 are required to present a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
There is also no maximum age limit for participants. However, you will be gauged in terms of your physicality and if you had any prior injuries or you are experiencing any health problems. Make sure to be very honest when answering their questions regarding your health.
Happy flying!
