If you have been thinking about a parachute jump for some time, here is some information you may find useful. First of all, it should be mentioned that this exciting activity is physically demanding and there are some conditions for which it is not recommended or require careful medical evaluation (so please check with the school).
Here are the main steps and tips:
- Pre-launch briefing
- Before the jump, you attend a briefing of about 15 to 30 minutes in which the instructor explains the stages of the jump (free fall, parachute deployment, landing); safety rules and behavior; proper body position during free fall and landing
- Appropriate Clothing
- comfortable, close-fitting clothing, well-fitting sneakers
- Nutrition and Hydration
- a light meal a few hours before the launch to avoid nausea or dizziness
- avoid alcoholic beverages
- Getting on the Plane
- after the briefing, put on the harness and board the plane to reach the launch altitude (about 4,000 meters), in a flight that takes about 15 minutes
- The Launch
- once ready, you are harnessed securely to the instructor and jump
- the free fall lasts about 60 seconds, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h
- after the parachute opens, a slower descent of 5-10 minutes follows, during which you can admire the views and even guide the parachute under the instructor’s supervision
- Landing, for landing, it is important to follow the instructor’s instructions, lifting the legs to allow a soft and safe touch on the ground
Where to have this experience in Rome
Around the capital there are several options for parachute jumps and a thrilling experience, but one of the most popular places is the Neptune Skydiving Center, located about 65 km from Rome. It offers tandem jumps from 4,000 meters with professional instructors, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding landscape. The cost starts at about €250 for a tandem launch, with additional options for video and photos.
In Rome, for those who do not feel up to getting on the plane, there is Indoor Skydiving – Fly X, this is indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel.