How To Become A Certified Skydiver
Submitted by: TigerEye
If you are the adventurous type and love that rush of adrenaline, you should look into a job as a skydiver. This job is dangerous, thrilling, original and fulfilling for the right type of person. Read this article on how to become a certified skydiver and let the thrill begin !
The first thing to do is to get a few preliminary jumps for a real taste of the experience of jumping out of "perfectly good airplane". This is called a "tandem jump". What you will be doing is putting your life into the hands of someone who has done hundreds, maybe thousands of skydives. You will find out in a hurry if this job is for you as you free-fall in the air. To do the former, simply locate a USPA ( United States Parachute Association ) site and ask for their certification. If they are certified, they will gladly show you. It may be easier to locate a site near you with their site: uspa.org.
While the above is your first step, you must maintain a good physical condition to remain a certified skydiver. You must also be within a certain weight for your height. The AFF ( Accelerated FreeFall ) course will help you with your prerequisites. The courses in this program are varied by location but basically all the same. There are seven levels to get through. Once you get past the seventh level you are cleared to be jumping without instructors. A basic description of the seven levels are :
- Basic Orientation
- Goals of stable controlled movements, consider the flow of the skydive
- Heading maintenance and solo unassisted pull
- Stable controlled turns: heading and forward motion
- ( Same as level four )
- Stability control and tracking on heading
- Stable unassisted exit, stability control, tracking on heading
These are basic descriptions and such things as conducting personal gear checks are included in the course. Everything you need will be included to become a self-proficient skydiver. Such things as how to climb out of the aircraft, arching your body, flow of the skydive, the circle of awareness ( COA ), canopy check, canopy control and landing are covered in detail. The AFF courses can cost from around one thousand dollars to over three thousand dollars.
After graduating from the AFF course you will want to join the United States Parachute Association. The benefits of joining include insurance, licenses, awards, the "Parachutist" magazine, representation and competitions. Being a member will give you good contacts and friends who will help you in your goal of being a skydiver.
Certification will allow you to give your own classes and lessons. You can start your own website, teaching the basics. It is a dangerous job, but if it is your calling, consider it your future.
Certified Skydiver
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Word Count: 483 Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 Time: 11:20 AM
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