Indoor skydiving consists of riding air currents inside a wind tunnel. If you’re afraid of heights but you want the feeling of weightlessness, a wind tunnel experience can hit all your buttons and increase your enjoyment. You will need to work with a professional guide to keep things safe. Indoor skydiving is also great training for your eventual jumping out of a plane experience.
The Low End
If you’re interested, your children will probably want to join in as well. At most facilities, your child will need to be at least 4 years old. In all cases, your child will need to be at least 40 pounds.
Riding around on air currents isn’t the same as floating. You need some core strength to maintain a strong position on the currents to avoid going into a tumble. Your guide can also help you learn to find a healthy place on top of the air current.
That being said, people of all ages and many physical limitations have found ways to enjoy indoor skydiving. While a drop from a plane has a serious time limit, your time in a wind tunnel can be stretched out so you can build skills.
The High End
Generally, your top weight limit will be 250 pounds. Your height and physical condition will have an impact on your weight limit, but if you’re over 250 pounds you will probably not be able to participate in the jump.
There are also limits to height and weight if you choose to try traditional skydiving. Your instructor needs to be able to move or grab you in the event of an accident; it’s easy to get bumped or banged around in both types of skydiving. If you bump your head in the tunnel or as you leave the plane, you could be left either dizzy or unconscious.
You will likely need to be weighed before you go on your indoor skydiving adventure. If you’re close to the cut-off, carefully watch your diet on the days leading up to your booked time so you can be approved to fly!
When you plan your indoor skydiving fun day, the gear will have a big impact. Because most beginners will not own their own suit, you will want to be honest about your height and weight with regards to your own comfort. If you’ve ever tried to swim or surf in a wetsuit that was too tight or too short, you know the hazards of using rental gear.
The weight limit for most indoor skydiving facilities is 250 pounds.
Your skydiving appointment will require some paperwork in addition to being measured and weighed for your big adventure. Show up early. Bring a bit of skin protection; while most indoor skydiving rental facilities will provide you with gear, high wind speeds can be very hard on your skin.
Leave rings in the car and skip the necklace and earrings; you don’t want metal knocking around in the wind tunnel.
Finally, remember the main reason for the limitation: When skydiving from a plane, you will wear a parachute. Parachutes have a top limit and if you exceed that, your trip to the ground will not go as planned.
Additionally, a poorly sized and fitted parachute can be extremely hazardous to your help when you hit the end of the straps. For example, you can lose consciousness if your parachute isn’t properly fitted. Even if it opens and you get to the ground safely, you won’t enjoy the ride.
Height Matters
Your height will also have an impact on your safety. Wind tunnel spaces are finite and your guide can only control so much. If you are over 6 feet 2 inches tall, your wind tunnel booking may require a larger entrance fee. You may need extra gear or need two guides to help you out.
Your BMI can also have an impact on your safety once you’re in the tunnel. When you get into the right position, it will feel like you’re floating on water. However, if you end up in the wrong position, the air can bounce you around the tunnel. Your muscle mass and inherent core strength will reduce your risk of getting tossed around.
Center of Gravity Considerations
Men have a higher center of gravity than women; while men center in the chest, women center at the hips. The taller you are, the higher your center of gravity. If you are too tall for your guide to manage, there is a risk of injury. Getting on top of the airflow takes help and strength, both your own muscle strength and that of your guide.
Cost
There are indoor skydiving facilities that do offer the opportunity to taller and larger clients. (The low-end restriction is fixed; under 40 pounds, you can’t go.) You may need to pay more or book your adventure in advance to make sure that you have access to a properly fitted jumpsuit. This is not a punishment for being heavier or taller than average; it’s about your safety.