Questions about tandem in Skydive Zagreb
FAQ about tandem skydiving in Zagreb
What is a Tandem Skydive?
Tandem skydiving refers to a method of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected via a harness to the tandem instructor. The tandem instructor wears a larger than normal parachute capable of supporting two skydivers. The instructor guides the student through the jump from exit through free fall, piloting the canopy, and landing. The student needs only minimal instruction before making a tandem jump.
How safe is skydiving?
We like to say that your drive to the airport is more dangerous than your skydive! There is always an element of risk with anything you do, however we do put a significant emphasis on having the best equipment, the best trained staff, and leading industry safety practices. We are governed by the Civil Aviation Authority as well as having USPA rated instructors. Our tandem masters undergo rigorous testing from the Tandem Expert and Skydive Croatia organizations and they are highly experienced. In fact we regularly send our family-members up to jump with us, so that proves something right?!
What's it like to free fall?
We can't put the feeling into words, but trust us when we say that it feels more surreal than it does scary! Free falling is an incredible sensation. You will only experience that upside-down-stomach feeling like on a roller coaster for a brief moment when you exit the plane but then the wind supports you! Because you are traveling at up to 200 km/h, the wind almost feels like a cushion against you. Come and try it for yourself.
What are the age requirements?
anyone wishing to perform tandem skydive in Croatia must be at least 14 years old or older. No one under the age of 14 years old is permitted to perform any type of skydive regardless of parental consent.
How hard will I land?
Under most circumstances, you’ll land fairly soft. With modern parachutes, landings are most often light and injuries rare. Skydiving is a sport that has inherent risks but those risk are minimized through awareness and through training and certification from the CAA and United States Parachute Association.
How long does it all take?
The actual skydive portion will take around 30 minutes and ideally you will be finished in about 2 hours, but we ask that you allow 2-3 hours for the entire process to allow for operational and weather delays.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We can skydive in plenty of different conditions, not just blue skies! But if we do make the call to not jump due to bad weather, don’t worry, we don’t take any payment until right prior your jump so we will just re-book your jump for later in the day or whenever suits you. If you can’t come back at a later time we can cancel your booking free of charge.
Can you breath at altitude?
The short answer is yes! There is plenty of air at 10,000 ft and even much higher. Some people can experience shortness of breath when free falling due to the excitement, however it is no different to riding a very fast motorcycle. Everyone is different and we recommend talking to your doctor if you have any concerns about breathing troubles while skydiving.
What about if I wear glasses or contacts?
We provide goggles that cover eyes and your glasses.
Do I have to sign a waiver?
Yes. Liability waivers are common in any sport where there is a level of risk.
Do you offer video?
Yes. Our Tandem Instructors can film your skydive and We also have professional videographers who are available to capture your entire skydiving experience.
Can I take my own camera?
You can take as much footage as you like on the ground but there are strict rules on taking extra equipment in the plane. So unfortunately not, sorry! Our own cameramen do a minimum of 200 jumps before they begin training for camera, and since we are working with lines and parachutes there are too many safety issues with bringing your GoPro along. We’ll take some amazing footage for you though!
What kind of clothes should I wear?
Comfortable clothes and sneakers (no shoes with heels or hooks). In the warmers months, shorts and t-shirts work well. In colder months, pants and long-sleeve shirts are necessary to stay warm. We provide jumpsuits and goggles.
What if I am too old or in poor physical condition?
Most people are able to make a tandem skydive. We will assist each person in evaluating their physical limitations. Due to safety regulations, we may not be able to take you if your weight exceeds 100 kg or if you are in poor health. We make this determination on a case by case basis. We may be able to make exceptions at our discretion for an additional charge, please call us for more information. We have taken people as old as 90+ years of age. Each skydiver assumes the personal risk of skydiving.
What is the training for Tandem?
We provide a short training session for all tandem skydivers. Items covered include; safety, plane exits, freefall body position, parachute deployment, and landing. Instructors and staff are available to answer additional questions
Will I get sick?
Unlikely. If you get motion sickness, tell your instructor before boarding the plane. We can fly the parachute in a smooth glide. For the more adventurous, we can spin in tight turns that enhance the feeling of motion.
What if the parachute does not open?
Our parachute systems contain two parachutes: a main and reserve parachute. The Tandem Instructor is trained on the use of the system and while a parachute malfunction is very rare, it can and does happen. The reserve parachute flies and lands similar to the main parachute. Each of our parachutes containers are equipped with an auto activation device (AAD) that will deploy the parachute if a parachute has not been deployed at a preset altitude.
Can I skydive if I have been scuba diving?
Have you been scuba diving? Lucky you! Unfortunately you cannot go skydiving if you have been scuba diving within 24 hours, however after 24 hours then you are safe to skydive. Please just let us know if you have been scuba diving when you sign in at our dropzone.
Is it normal to be really nervous?
Yes! After all, it’s not normal to fall out of a perfectly good plane! But it’s all part of the experience and will make the achievement even sweeter when you land back on the ground. Our Tandem Masters have thousands of jumps under their belts and will walk you through every step of the way, doing their best to make you feel safe and secure.
Can you come and pick me up?
Sure thing! If you are staying in Zagreb we have the option to pick you up from your accommodation. Pickups are approximately 60 - 90 minutes before jumping day and returns are when everybody finishes their skydives. Alternatively you can drive out to us, there’s plenty of parking and also public transportation available!
