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Approximately 3 months ago I took my first ever skydive jump and want to lay out my concerns for others considering Alberta Skydive Central. Main points 1) Training pre-jump; 2) Trust with the instructor; 3) The actual jump. I recognize that my experience is subjective and how my body reacted to a skydiving jump may have occurred identically regardless of training, trust or jump. Regardless there was a lack of respect and information. This is especially acute since my observation of my husbands first ever skydive at a different business was extremely positive in all the ways mine was not.
1. Upon arrival at the office, I did the necessary paperwork and watched a 5-minute training video. I then waited until just before we loaded onto the plane for my instructor to come put my harness on but with no additional information given. I had to initiate literally every question: from safety, understanding procedures and even just trying to get to know my instructor. This complete lack of training or information most starkly contrasted with my husband’s hour of solid one-on-one training with comprehensive answers to questions regarding equipment, the flight, jump, safety, and experience.
2. During the tandem jump I expected the instructor to serve two roles. The first is ensuring safety during the physical experience. Second is guiding someone through the emotional experience of skydiving. Although the first role occurred, I felt no guidance, information, or actual control over my experience of going skydiving. I am uncertain on whether they believed the 5 minute video was sufficient for a first time skydiver, but it did not clarify a multitude of other questions I had that would have ensured both my peace of mind and allowed me to do the steps correctly. Additionally, I knew almost nothing about my instructor and he knew absolutely nothing about me. Due to a complete lack of information and connection I inevitably did not trust him or feel I could communicate with him. Which all led to the jump.
3. During the plane ride up I can honestly say I was neither excited nor scared; I was monitoring my breathing and my breath cycle was longer than my instructors. When the door opened and people started jumping out I still received almost no verbal instructions. Getting to the door my left leg got jammed to the side and the instructor continued to push forward leaving a decent bruise. The moment I was in position he pushed us out without pausing to ask if I was ready (I understand many people may get scared, but consent should really be a part of every step). Once out I felt I could not breathe due to the adrenaline rush and I endured these 60 seconds while being forced to do thumbs up for a video. Once the chute opened, he did nothing to check in with me and I doubt he noticed the extreme distress I had been in during the fall. My husband had described the portion with the parachute as being peaceful – I felt jerked around but at this point I cannot say whether that was due to something happening or simply the ramifications of an adrenaline rush, distress and feeling I had no control.
I don’t know if my experience was simply a bad day for staff or is part of a larger organizational issue that has simply not caused enough problems to warrant fixing for Alberta Sky Dive Central. If you are considering going I would recommend against going skydiving with this organization. Instead of a powerful and exhilarating experience I exchanged money for a short plane ride, unhappy descent and then the added time to try an contact the organization with my concerns. After 3 months of waiting for a response I am now hoping that my critique will steer others away from a similarly negative experience. - via 