Certification
Tandem Skydive
Your first jump, harnessed to a rated tandem instructor.
- Free reference
- No signup
- Find an operator to get there
A tandem skydive is how nearly everyone starts. You are securely harnessed to a USPA-rated tandem instructor who manages the parachute, altitude awareness, and landing while you experience freefall from around 10,000–14,000 feet. After a short ground briefing, usually 20–30 minutes, you are in the air the same day.
No experience or certification is required for a tandem. It is also the gateway to the rest of the ladder: many drop zones offer a "tandem progression" track where your early tandems count toward learning the skills you will need to jump solo.
What you'll learn
- Body position (arch) and altitude awareness in freefall
- What canopy flight and a controlled landing feel like
- Whether you want to pursue solo training
Find an operator who teaches Tandem Skydive
Browse drop zones and connect with the people who can get you to this level.
Common questions
- Do I need any training before a tandem skydive?
- No. A short ground briefing the day of your jump is all that is required. Your tandem instructor handles everything safety-critical.
- Does a tandem count toward a license?
- Not by itself, but many drop zones run a tandem-progression track where your jumps are taught toward the AFF curriculum so they accelerate later training.
