Skydiving in Florida: Requirements, Safety, & Locations

Skydiving in Florida: Requirements, Safety, & Locations

Skydiving is an experience not quite like any other. Thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, daredevils, and those wishing to conquer their greatest fears all flock to this captivating sport that takes place thousands of feet above the ground.

Florida is an excellent location for both experienced and first time skydivers. With its idyllic weather, beautiful scenery, and multiple highly rated professional skydiving locations, it is one of the best places in America to wet your beak in this incredible sport.

While skydiving has become extremely safe and accessible with modern advancements in technology and safety equipment, you should keep in mind that it is still a very physical activity. Because of this, the beginning of your skydiving journey requires time, knowledge, and preparation before you ever step out of an airplane.

We put together a comprehensive guide explaining state and safety requirements for skydiving in Florida as well as some prime location recommendations.

If skydiving is something that has always been on your bucket list and you think that you’re ready to give it a try, there are a few things that you should know before you jump into the sport. Let’s get Started. 😎

Florida Requirements for Skydiving

Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 years of age to complete either a solo or tandem jump in Florida.

Basic Health Requirements

Due to the unique stresses that skydiving places on the human body, there are some basic health requirements that must be met before a person can complete a jump in Florida.

While rare, a person may be turned away if they fail to meet certain health standards.

Safety Standards for Specific Illnesses

Some diseases, such as certain cardiovascular diseases and illnesses that cause fainting, are exclusionary.

A student jumper must be able to wear a minimum of 30 pounds of equipment and be able to withstand sudden temperature changes of up to 30°F.

Skydiving Weight Safety Standards

There are also some weight restrictions for both tandem and solo jumps.

A person with a weight of 230 pounds or more will not be able to complete a jump in Florida, as their weight exceeds the safety regulations of professional-grade parachutes.

Solo Jumps

Florida follows the United States Parachute Association (USPA)’s basic safety guidelines. As such, you will be required to take a short series of courses and tandem jumps before you are able to complete a solo jump.

How Safe is Skydiving?

While you may have heard some skydiving horror stories that have scared you off from the activity until this point, rest assured that these tragic accidents are very rare.

The rate of fatalities from tandem skydiving over the last ten years has been 0.002 per 1,000 jumps, or 7 fatalities out of 4.2 million successful skydives. In fact, statistically you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than to die in a skydiving accident.

So long as you go through a certified instructor, you can count on your skydiving experience to be one of the safest (and most thrilling) adventures of your life!

Where Can I Go Skydiving in Florida?

There are over two dozen skydiving destinations to choose from in Florida, so finding a location near you shouldn’t be too daunting. The Play Hard Florida team visited Skydive Palatka last year – and documented the adventure on video. Some of the most popular and all around best venues to consider when skydiving in Florida include:

Want More Ideas for your Florida Skydiving Adventure?

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