Frequently asked questions about tandem skydiving

Tandem Skydiving knowledge base

Explore our detailed database of questions and answers, designed to provide all the information you need about tandem skydiving. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, we'd greatly appreciate your suggestions to help us improve this resource even further.

General questions about skydiving and tandem jumping

What is skydiving?

Skydiving is an exhilarating sport that involves jumping from an aircraft and freefalling before deploying a parachute to safely land on the ground. Modern skydiving has evolved significantly thanks to decades of research and development, particularly advancements made during the 20th century, originally driven by military applications. Over time, improvements in equipment design and safety procedures have brought skydiving to new levels of reliability and accessibility.

Thanks to these technological advancements, today's skydiving equipment features exceptional safety and performance characteristics, making this thrilling experience available to almost anyone looking for an adventure.

What is Tandem Skydiving?

Tandem skydiving is an exhilarating experience where a beginner skydiver is securely harnessed to an experienced instructor as they jump from an aircraft together and share a parachute for the entire descent. This method is perfect for first-time jumpers because it combines the thrill of free fall with the security of being with a professional.

In some cases, tandem skydiving can also involve a trainee skydiver paired with an instructor-examiner as part of their path to becoming a licensed Tandem Instructor. With its blend of adventure and safety, tandem skydiving is the most popular way for newcomers to experience the excitement of skydiving while ensuring they are guided every step of the way. It's an unforgettable leap into the sky, ideal for anyone ready to take on the challenge and enjoy the freedom of flight.

How experienced are tandem instructors, and do they hold a special permit to perform tandem skydive parachute jumps?

Tandem instructors are highly experienced skydivers with a minimum of 500 solo jumps before they can qualify for a Tandem Instructor rating course. During this course, they are trained extensively in the use of tandem parachute equipment and safety protocols. Once they complete the training, they receive a Tandem Instructor license, which allows them to conduct tandem skydives. Additionally, all tandem instructors must maintain a valid medical certificate to ensure they are physically fit for tandem jumps.

Can I do tandem skydive with an experienced non-instructor skydiver?

No. In order for any skydiver to take you on a tandem skydive, he must have a valid and current license and Tandem Instructor rating. It is strictly forbidden and dangerous for anyone not rated to take you on a tandem skydive. On the jump day, you have the right to ask your instructor to show you his Tandem Skydiving Instructor rating, skydiving license, and medical certificate.

What is the jump altitude for Tandem Skydives?

Tandem skydives can be performed from various altitudes, which will affect the duration of the freefall. In recreational and sports skydiving, jumps are performed from 1,000 to 4,000 meters altitude (3,000 – 13,000 ft). Our recommendation is to make your tandem skydive from a minimum of 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) to experience a enjoyable freefall, which is also the main reason why skydivers jump from the airplane.

What is the parachute opening altitude?

Solo skydivers – or how we like to call them “Fun jumpers” – are allowed to deploy their parachutes at 1,000 meters; while, in tandem skydiving, this limit is legally moved to 1,500 - 1,700 meters, which allows the Tandem Instructor more time to react in the event of any problems that may occur regarding the equipment or the Tandem passengers they take on the jump.

What is the difference between a tandem skydive from 2000m, 3000m or 4000m of altitude?

Although in our organization we do not do tandem skydives from less than 3000 meters, we will describe the differences:

Tandem skydive from 2000 meters would give you approx. 5 seconds of freefall.
Tandem skydive from 3000 meters would give you approx. 20-30 seconds of freefall.
Tandem skydive from 4000 meters would give you approx. 50-60 seconds of freefall.

Comparing the tandem skydive jump altitudes, it is easy to conclude that tandem skydives from 4000 meters brings the most excitement and the longest freefall time.

What is the speed of a skydiver in the freefall?

The skydiving freefall speed varies and depends on the skydiver’s weight and body shape, the freefall body position and skydive suits or clothes. The usual speed in a Tandem skydive goes from 180 to 220 km/h.

Is it hard to breathe in freefall?

No, breathing in freefall is as normal as it is on earth. Try to breathe through your nose because breathing through your mouth at high speeds can make funny facial expressions on your tandem video. Occasionally, Tandem Passengers report problems with their breathing, but most often this is because they are holding their breath like they do when jumping into a swimming pool. All you need to do is to force yourself to exhale, or scream or yell, and then you will be able to breathe normally again.

Is it cold in freefall?

Although temperatures at altitudes in between 2000 - 4000 meters are lower than on earth, in 99% of cases tandem skydivers do not notice the coldness because of the excitement you feel at the moment before jumping out of the aircraft. For anyone who is very sensitive to the cold, we have skydiving suits that you can use during tandem skydiving. Usually the temperature drops by 5-10 C ° every 1000 meters.

Why don’t you have skydives from 4000 meters on every jump location?

The altitude of the jump usually does not depend on the jump location, but rather on the type of aircraft at the particular location. In most cases, small Cessna 182/185/206/210 aircrafts are not economical for altitudes higher than 3000 meters and require a long time to reach the jump altitude.

Do I need to attend a Tandem skydive course?

Before performing the Tandem skydive, you’ll be briefed by your Tandem Instructor, explaining the basic principles and procedures in Tandem skydiving. The Instructor will explain the rules and procedures for approaching the aircraft, entering the aircraft, behaving on the aircraft, how to exit the aircraft, freefall body position, freefall hand signals, parachute opening, under-canopy procedures and, finally, the landing.

How long does the whole experience take?

It takes between 20 to 35 minutes from the moment the aircraft takes off until you touch the ground again. The exact duration mostly depends on the jump altitude and the type of aircraft. Very fast airplanes will reach a jump altitude in about 10 - 15 minutes, while slow planes will reach the same altitude in 20 - 30 minutes. Please see the Skydive Croatia YouTube channel for the full experience.

After the airplane reaches the jump altitude it’s time for freefall. Freefall will take 30 - 60 seconds depending on the jump altitude.

After the Tandem Instructor opens the parachute, it’s time for the canopy ride, which also depends on how the Instructor will operate the parachute with consideration to the passenger’s desires. A fast and exciting flight will last shorter while a slow and relaxing flight will take longer. It's up to you what you like.

What does a parachute landing look like?

Today's parachutes are designed to allow the Instructor very accurate maneuver controllability. As a result, the landings are very soft and comfortable.

Depending on the wind speed, there are two different ways to land. In strong wind, the tandem couple is able to land on their feet and remain in a standing position, but more common are landings on their butt, which will then remain in a sitting position.

Fear of heights, is that a problem?

It has been proven that fear of heights and fear of falling are two different phobias. A person who has a fear of altitude will not be able to fly in a commercial airplane, and if you have ever traveled on a commercial airplane without a problem it is likely that you have no fear of altitude. On the other hand, the fear of falling is innate in every human being, including skydivers. This is a dizzy feeling when you look down from a tall object. Although many of our passengers worry that they have a fear of heights, in the end it turns out that they don’t and they are able to do the tandem jump with ease. We urge you to overcome this false belief.

Skydiving aircrafts

There are a large number of aircraft types and models used in today’s skydiving. Skydivers can jump from fixed-wing aircraft (known to us as "Airplanes") to Helicopters, Ultra-Light aircraft or Hot-Air Balloons. We won't be surprised if they start jumping out of drones in the near future.

Some of the most common types of aircraft in our area are Cessna 182 (4 people), Cessna 185 (4 people), Cessna 206 (6 people), Cessna 208 Caravan / 208 Grand Caravan (10 - 18 people), Pilatus PC-6 (up to 10 persons), LET 410 (approx. 20 persons)

Parachute jump preparation

How to dress and what to wear for the skydive?

The best choice for skydiving is clothes that fit to the body. This is because excess material in a freefall can cause an unpleasant vibration of the fabric, which can be irritating and painful at high speeds. If you want to skydive in your clothes it's best to bring sportswear such as cotton pants (short or long), we recommend shirts with no collar and no hoody. During warm days it is also comfortable to jump in short sleeves. It is best to wear sports shoes or shoes without heels or sharp edges. You will get all other equipment from our team just before the jump.

Which documents are required?

Skydive Croatia team often organize jumps outside the Croatian border, in which case it is necessary for skydiving candidates to carry appropriate personal documents that will allow you to cross the border (Passport and Visa if needed, European ID card).

If you are using a gift voucher, please bring your ID card.

Persons under the age of 18 must have a signed waiver from one parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18 please let us know in the moment of booking so we can send you the necessary documentation.

Am I allowed to eat before the tandem skydive?

Yes, you are allowed to eat before the tandem skydive, but we certainly do not recommend heavy or liquid meals. We recommend that you consume enough water to keep your body hydrated before the skydive.

Can I skydive with prescription glasses or contact lenses?

Prescription glasses and contact lenses can be used during a tandem skydive, but unpredictable situations can occur, and cause loss of them. If your glasses or lenses are not absolutely necessary, we recommend making skydive without them. In case you need them, we will provide special skydiving goggles that you can put over your prescription glasses.

Can I bring my friends or familiy?

You can bring your friends or family with you on the day of the jump, but unfortunately only the person performing the skydive can go on the airplane. Your friends or family can watch you from the ground and see you landing.

Alcohol and narcotics?

Drinking alcohol and taking narcotic drugs is strictly forbidden on the day of the jump and at least 12 hours before the jump. If your instructor notices that you are visibly under the influence, you will not be allowed to perform the tandem skydive and you will not be able to apply for a refund.

Influence of weather conditions on skydiving

What in the event of bad weather conditions on the day of the planned skydive?

If the weather makes it impossible to jump on the day you have booked, we will offer you another date for your tandem jump or refund your payment.

What kind of weather conditions prevent skydiving operations?

Weather conditions that prevent parachute operations include: rain, low and dense clouds, or very strong and turbulent wind. The temperature of the air does not prevent skydiving operations but it is not comfortable to jump at very low temperatures.

Do you skydive during all seasons?

Yes, we organize year-round tandem skydives but, because of bad weather conditions, jumping in the winter is less frequent.

The impact of health on skydiving

Do I need a medical exam to perform a Tandem skydive?

No medical examination is required to perform a tandem skydive. Only your Tandem Instructor is required to have a valid medical certificate.

What health conditions are not suitable for performing a tandem jump?

Conditions that are not suitable include epilepsy, bone fractures from which you are still recovering, spinal problems, paraplegia, etc. If your medical condition implies any of the above, please consult your doctor and then us. Not to discourage you, our team has taken paraplegic passengers for skydives where the jump went in perfect order.

Skydiving safety

How safe is skydiving equipment?

The safety and quality of skydiving equipment today is at the highest level. The production of parachutes and skydiving equipment is under strict standards that manufacturers must meet. With proper maintenance and adherence to the manufacturer's instructions, the safety of the equipment is undeniable.

What if the parachute doesn't open?

As you can guess, all skydivers are obliged to have two parachutes when performing parachute jumps: the main parachute and the reserve parachute. In the event of any problem with the main parachute, the Instructor will cutaway (procedure to release the main canopy) the main and open the reserve parachute. Reserve parachutes are packaged by specially authorized parachute packers (Riggers) to eliminate any possibility of malfunction or incorrect opening of the reserve parachute.

What if the Tandem Instructor loses consciousness?

Although this is almost impossible, if for any reason Instructor does not open the parachute at a certain altitude, the device installed in each tandem parachute (AAD) will open it automatically based on the speed, pressure and height calculation.

Is there insurance?

At the moment, the price of the jump does not include insurance, but you can certainly pay for the desired (private) insurance policy on your own.

Tandem skydive video

Do you offer tandem skydive video?

Yes, we offer two types of video and a combination of both. Handicam video and Outside camera/additional cameraman.

Handicam video is video taken from the Instructor’s hand. The Instructor will wear a special glove during the jump on which the camera is attached to his left arm. The footage includes shots from preparation, boarding, take-off, altitude climb, exit the aircraft, freefall, canopy opening, canopy flight and, finally, landing.

Outside cameraman service involves another person joining in a freefall and filming a tandem couple. The footage includes video from preparation, boarding, take-off, climbing to the altitude, exit from aircraft, freefall and canopy opening.

You can check the prices of video services in our skydive pricelist.

Can I bring my own camera on a tandem skydive?

Skydiving Regulation prohibits anyone with less than 200 solo jumps from carrying a camera.

Which cameras do you use to film tandem skydives?

Our team makes sure we always have the latest GoPro Black camera models for shooting all the jumps.

How and when will I get my tandem video?

Up to 7 days (max.) after the tandem jump you will receive a link by email that will allow you to download the video.

What is the price of tandem skydive video?

You can check the prices of our video services on our skydiving pricelist.

Transportation

Do you offer transportation or pickup services?

We can offer and arrange transportation or pickup that is arranged according to your specific circumstances or requirements. You can check the prices of transport on our skydiving pricelist.

What if I will come on my own?

We recommend that you check the location and route you will arrive at least the day before. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. You can find almost all of the jump locations on the Skydiving Jump location page.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

Tandem Skydive Price and reservation

What is the cost of a tandem skydive?

Please check the current prices of tandem skydives and our other services for specific locations on our skydiving services pricelist.

How can I book a tandem skydive?

To book a Tandem skydive it is required to pay deposit/reservation fee and to also send us the personal information we need to make the reservation. There are three ways to book an appointment:

Filling out an online form (preferred) - Our website has a form that contains all of the information we need to book your skydive. You can find the form here: Tandem skydive booking. Please follow the steps carefully to ensure your reservation is valid.
Send an Email - Reservation can also be done by sending an informative email. You can find our email address in the Skydive Croatia contact section.
By calling the contact number. You can find our contact number in the Skydive Croatia contact section.

How much is the deposit/reservation fee?

You can check the current deposit/reservation fee for the tandem jump reservation on our skydiving services pricelist.

Why is a deposit/reservation fee required?

The deposit/reservation fee serves as a confirmation that you will appear ready to jump on the agreed date. Changes can be made up to a minimum of 7 days before the booked date without losing the deposit. For cancellation of the booking within 7 days from the agreed date the deposit will not be refundable. The amount of the reservation fee is included in the final price of the jump, and if you have not already paid for the jump in full, you must pay the rest of the amount on the day of the skydive.

Do you offer Skydiving gift vouchers?

Yes, we have gift vouchers that you can buy and give to loved ones. For details on how to buy a gift voucher, please visit the Tandem Skydiving Gift Vouchers section.

Rules of Conduct at the Jump Site

Are there specific rules for the location of the jump?

Yes, there are rules that must be followed. Please read carefully and inform the people that you are bringing to the jump site:

Do not approach the aircraft on its own without the supervision of an authorized person. If you would like to take photos of the aircraft, please ask our Instructors.
It is strictly forbidden to smoke and/or consume alcoholic beverages near any skydiving equipment, aircraft and or within the general skydiving area.
If you are taking children with you, please keep a close eye on them or ensure they are properly supervised while you are on the tandem jump. Also make sure that the children follow all rules above.
Although we recommend you leave your pets at home, any pets at the jump site must be closely monitored. Dogs, in particular, have a strong interest in parachute fabric and the damage can be significantly expensive. Please make sure that your pet does not damage the equipment of other skydivers, which can put you in an unwanted situation.
Please be extremely careful not to step on/over the parachute fabric, parachute ropes and other skydiving equipment.
Do not touch the parachute equipment without the expressed permission and supervision of the owner.
Please consult your instructors with any questions or concerns.

After my first tandem skydive

Am I getting a skydiving license now?

Not yet. If you enjoyed this experience, we invite you to attend a skydiving course that will prepare you to obtain a parachute license.

Skydive Croatia video trailer

Connect with us

We are inviting you to support us on social media and stay in touch for new promotional offers and opportunities.

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Twitter

Trip Advisor

Our website allows you to make your tandem booking fast and simple by filing out the online form on following link: tandem skydive booking but also to purchase gift vouchers online in two easy steps: Tandem skydive gift voucher.

We accept several ways of online payments. Beside bank transfer payment, we also accept payments through the following services: Revolut, Monese, TransferWise and Curve. Please choose and check all options on the Payment details page.