how safe is skydiving?

The United States Parachute Association estimates that skydivers in the U.S. perform roughly three million jumps each year. They also estimate that more than 400,000 people do a first jump every year. Sounds like a lot of people jumping. However, the truth is less then 1% of the population has ever made a skydive, and almost anyone can do it. Why is that? Possibly in part, because regardless of knowledge base, people--especially your mom--intuitively understand that a 100% systems failure of your equipment is virtually certain to result in your death. We do not live in a risk free society. Every day we wake up, leave the house and take risks, whether it's driving your car to work or walking, there is always an unpredictable risk involved. We try to minimize the risk by doing things smarter, safer, and defensively. Skydiving is no different, just like weighing the risk of driving your car, against being involved in an auto accident. We weigh the risk of enjoyment involved with skydiving against being involved in a skydiving accident. Most people are willing to take the risk to drive in order to go to work. Skydivers are willing to jump in order to achieve human flight. How safe is skydiving? Skydiving is actually one of the safest so-called "extreme" sports. Let's be honest: It's not bowling. You are after all jumping out of an airplane reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph, but it's not Russian roulette either. Each year about 30 people die skydiving in the United States, and that's out of over 2 million parachute jumps. Given the odds, you're better off skydiving than let’s say driving a car. Every year, over 40,000 people die in traffic accidents, in excess of 3,000 die in fishing accidents (drowning), more than 800 die while bicycling, and about 80 die standing outside by lightning (disclaimer: these statistics do not take into account the number of participants). OK I think you get the idea! With better equipment and training the risks are reduced even further. We have found with today's technology its not students dying, it’s the experience folks. They push their limits past the expectable range. Poor judgment calls and mistakes account for in excess of 90% of all skydiving fatalities. We at Air Capital Drop Zone understand that ongoing training and knowing ones limits could reduce the risk even further.

Skydivers range from the age of 18 to 96. They also enjoy a great sense of camaraderie with other skydivers, as they all have one huge thing in common, the fun and enjoyment of human flight. If you've run across this page, it tells us that you'd like to know more about the basics of skydiving. Perhaps you're contemplating a first jump yourself, or are interested in what a skydiving friend is doing with their weekends. Maybe you've already done a first jump and are thinking about continuing. Whatever your reasons, we welcome you to look around. And if you do not find your answers here, give us a call at (316) 776-1700 or . Either way we will be more than happy to visit with you.

More from USPA on safety.