The first step to a successful skydive is to make sure that you can skydive in the first place! Almost anyone can skydive, but there are a few requirements that exist for the safety of both the skydiver and the instructor.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about age, weight, health, and safety requirements before making your jump at Skydive the Wasatch.
Age Requirements (18+)
You must be at least 18 years old to skydive in the United States, no exceptions. This is a rule set by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and applies at every USPA-member dropzone (which we are).
Be sure to bring a valid photo ID when you check in. Without it, you won’t be able to jump.
Under 18? Unfortunately, parents or guardians can’t sign for minors. Even with permission, this is a hard rule. There are no exceptions unless it’s through a USPA-approved medical waiver program (like Make-A-Wish for terminally ill patients).
Over 18? Go for it. We’ve jumped with people in their 60s, 70s, 80s… even 90s.
The Age-Limit Exception
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) does sometimes grant waivers for individuals under 18 who are terminally ill and wish to experience skydiving. These special exceptions are typically arranged through organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and require prior approval and coordination.
At Skydive the Wasatch, we consider it an absolute honor to be part of these kinds of jumps. If you or a loved one falls into this category, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll do everything we can to help facilitate the process, work with the necessary organizations, and create a meaningful, memorable experience.
Weight Limits
Most tandem instructors can fly with jumpers up to 230 lbs, but there’s a little more to it than just a number.
If you’re over 200 lbs, we ask that you be in good physical condition and generally height/weight proportionate. If you’re close to or over the limit and unsure whether you’ll be cleared to jump, give us a call or shoot us a message, we’re happy to talk through it.
We also charge a small additional fee for jumpers over 200 lbs. This isn’t about profit, it’s about extra compensation for your instructor & maintaining our gear.
Why? Because carrying extra weight changes the dynamics of the skydive. It requires extra effort, additional training, and a higher level of physical demand on the instructor throughout the jump, especially during exit and landing. The extra compensation reflects that additional responsibility.
Check out our Tandem Skydiving Height & Weight Chart below for a better idea of how the limits apply to your body type. These guidelines are about keeping both you and your instructor safe.
General Health & Fitness
Skydiving doesn’t require you to be an athlete. If you can jog to your mailbox and back without it becoming a crisis, you’re probably good to go. That said, there are a few important health considerations:
- You should be in generally good health and physical condition
- Avoid skydiving if you’re on medications that could impair your judgment, balance, or awareness
- Tell your instructor about any medical conditions that may affect your jump
- If in doubt, talk to your doctor first, especially if you’ve had recent surgeries or chronic issues
Recent Activities to Avoid Before Jumping:
- SCUBA diving: wait at least 24 hours
- Donating blood: wait at least 24 hours (more if you’re feeling lightheaded or weak)
- Alcohol consumption: 12 hours minimum (more if it was a really crazy night)
Skydiving with Physical Disabilities
Skydiving is more accessible than people think. Thanks to the nature of tandem jumps, many individuals with physical disabilities can jump safely, and we’ve helped make that happen for lots of folks.
If you have a physical condition that may require extra support or consideration, just give us a heads up before your jump. We’ll talk it through and let you know what’s possible.
In the words of our owner Leon, “I don’t care what the situation is… if you want to go skydiving, we’ll figure out a way.”
Safety Standards & Compliance
We’re a proud USPA Member Dropzone, which means we follow the USPA’s Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs), no shortcuts, no guessing, and no cutting corners.
What does that mean for you?
- You’ll be jumping with an instructor who’s highly trained and USPA-rated
- You’ll be using equipment that’s inspected, maintained, and packed by FAA-certified riggers
- You’ll go through a clear briefing before your jump so you know exactly what to expect
You can also check out the USPA's Basic Safety Requirements if you’re the kind of person who likes to read the fine print.
Alcohol & Drugs Policy
Drinking alcohol the night before or the day of a skydive is a terrible idea, trust us. The FAA and USPA both require a minimum of 8 hours after drinking to skydive but recommend a full 24 hours.
Skydive the Wasatch strictly enforces this, and will not allow you to jump if you’re intoxicated or impaired in any way, and no refunds will be issued. This is not only for your safety but for the safety of our instructors and the other skydivers as well.
On top of that, skydiving hungover (even if you’re not still impaired) can be an easy way to lose your lunch and leave your instructor with a very smelly rest of the day. So please… just avoid it!
Still Have Questions?
We get it, there’s a lot to think about before you jump out of a plane. If you’re not sure you meet the requirements or have a unique situation you want to run by us, reach out anytime. Our team is happy to talk it through.
We’re here to make sure your jump is an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
