How Skydiving Works

Imagine falling out of a plane, on purpose, and heading toward the ground at 120 mph. Welcome to the world of skydiving. The United States Parachuting Association estimates that about 350,000 people complete more than 3 million jumps in a typical year. Find out all about this insanely popular sport.

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• howstuffworks
• howto
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[Quake120]

Skydiving is very intense, yes, but it isn't nearly as scary as most people think it will be.

The height really doesn't bother you because you don't have a frame of reference (like a building or a roller coaster frame). It feels like you are floating above a very large painting.

It's absolutely incredible. Everybody should do it at least once!

I promise you, your fear will stay in the airplane when you leave it and will be replaced with pure exhilaration.

[HavnPhun]

There's nothing like the overwhelming feeling of fear you get when you are moving toward the door on your first jump....you watch the person in front of you hurl themself out of the door and disappear in a split second.....and you know that you are next. I freakin love fear!!!!! The only problem is, after 50 jumps, I'm not scared anymore....bummer!

[Quake120]

Skydiving is incredible. I love it!

That 'overwhelming sense of fear' is actually your blood turning to pure adrenaline!

My brother has about 700 jumps now.

[t0winthiswar]

+1. Nothing in the world like it. Except maybe standing on the exit of a BASE jump lol.

[NexusVale]

Indeed. When you're on the edge of the plane's door, just looking down 13,500 feet (in my case), there's no word to describe it. It was fucking insane.

[kyou43]

i am going december 23 and i am 16

[mikeyz006]

lol atleast he hopes 'thats how it works'

[badman2205]

i agree mate

[wessamkanj]

I rack'n you were shitting ur pants lol