Tandem Jump

The tandem jump is a variation of conventional skydiving in which two people jump, an instructor and a passenger. It requires a brief training on the ground (10 minutes) for passengers, which covers mainly security issues. It uses a special tandem harness that is well aligned to the passenger’s body. Special, compatible glasses are also provided that the passenger may use. Its price is around 195 euros (not including video recording and/or photos). The jump is made from an average altitude of 4,000 meters.

Development of the jump

The explanation of how the two will land is discussed while on the ground. Depending on the type of aircraft, the way out of it varies.

They board the plane, passengers on their own feet, next to the instructor. At about 9,000 to 10,000 feet, the passenger sits above the knee of the instructor, who connects the passenger to his own harness and carabiners parachute. Each carabiner supports a pressure of approximately 2,000 kilos, and two carabiners attach the passenger to the instructor at shoulder height, while at the waist level they are united by a band.

When the plane reaches 4,000 meters altitude, the pilot gives the signal to begin the jump. The passenger and the instructor are close to the door and placed in the previously agreed to position. The instructor is the one who makes the leap into the void, never the passenger. The passenger only has to worry about fun and enjoy the show.

The passenger experiences a new sensation, as he enters what is unknown and indescribable. After five to ten seconds, he realizes that nothing bad has happened and starts to really enjoy the jump. They are exceeding 200km/h speed and have the sensation of flight.

After those initial five to ten seconds, the instructor makes a prearranged signal indicating that the passenger can now open his arms, allowing for gestures, etc. The two are often accompanied by a cameraman who records the tandem jump on video or by taking pictures.

Approximately after fifty seconds of freefall, the instructor opens the parachute after a warning signal to the passenger to place himself in the agreed position, as instructed on land before the jump.

After opening the parachute, there are about five minutes of calm and quiet where the passenger can enjoy spectacular views as they’ve never seen before. Often the passenger is allowed to take the controls of the parachute for a few seconds.

Landing. Depending on wind conditions, landing can end sitting in the worst case. It may happen that the instructor is standing just barely reaches the ground, as he has to maneuver around the passenger.

Clarifications

There is no vertigo when parachuting. Vertigo is caused by visual reference to the ground. At 4,000 meters high there are no such references, therefore, one can not experience vertigo. (In fact, the author of these lines is a paratrooper and has vertigo while going up a ladder).

There is also no shortness of breath. There are no problems of oxygen at 4,000 meters. Contrary to what most people think, there are no problems breathing during the fall because of the air velocity that affects the face. Moreover, it is recommended not to hyperventilate, but to breathe normally.

It is not dangerous. Tandem instructors are highly skilled and qualified paratroopers with hundreds and thousands (yes, thousands) of jumping experiences.

The passenger must not do anything. It is widely believed (and erroneously) that the passenger has to do many things, like jumping, control altitude, and open the parachute and land. It is the instructor who does every one of these things; the passenger simply goes as a “package” and enjoys the jump.

The passenger jumps in street clothes. There is no need for a specific jump suit. The only requirement is warm clothing in winter, because at 4,000 meters, one can experience temperatures of up to twenty degrees below zero. In summer you can do a tandem in short sleeves. It is advisable to wear very tight jeans.

Anyone can do it. Anyone in acceptable physical condition (but not exceeding 100 kilograms in weight and/or 2 meters in height), who does not suffer any heart condition or epilepsy, and of age (minors with parental consent) can tandem jump. There are people over sixty years old who do tandems, (and skydivers who are more than sixty years old).