How Skydiving Alone Feels More Different Than Tandem Skydiving

Tandem bicycles, tandem kayaks, and even tandem scooters?! Every experience is better when you have a buddy, right? Actually, maybe not always! 

Skydiving is a sport that can be done in tandem – with a certified professional attached to your back – or completely solo with your very own parachute. While both options deliver the thrill of freefall and the serenity of a parachute ride, they provide entirely different experiences altogether. Let’s get into the pros and cons of solo skydiving versus tagging along for a tandem skydive.

What is Tandem Skydiving?

Tandem skydiving is the go-to option for first-time jumpers. On a tandem jump, you are securely attached with a heavy-duty harness to an experienced tandem instructor who is in charge of operating all of the equipment, including flying and landing the parachute. Tandem instructors  are certified by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and must have a minimum of 500 jumps and three years of experience under their belt

While there are a few things you will need to know and perform on your tandem jump (all which you learn in your pre-jump briefing), the idea of jumping tandem is to have a skydiving experience that’s as close to responsibility-free as possible. You can take in all of the sights and sensations of human flight, without having to commit significant time and resources to make it happen.

Solo Skydiving

Solo skydiving is a more advanced option that requires prescribed training and preparation. To skydive solo, you will need to complete a student program like the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course. This program teaches critical skills, such as body positioning, altitude awareness, proper parachute deployment, emergency procedures, and navigation for landing.

The training typically begins with ground school, where you will learn the theoretical and practical aspects of skydiving. Once you complete ground school, you’ll move onto your first set of supervised jumps with AFF Instructors (AFFIs) who guide you through the process.

How Can You Skydive Solo?

Even if you decide to learn to skydive solo, we recommend doing a tandem skydive first. Actually, scratch that, we require it! 

AFF skydiving at Oklahoma Skydiving Center is designed with a Tandem Progression for the first two jumps – which means your first two jumps will, in fact, be training tandems. This helps you learn in the least stressful way possible and gives you an opportunity to get a feel for the parachute operations before jumping into the Level 3 solo jump. You will have two instructors with you for Level 3.

How can you skydive by yourself? In order to skydive solo you’ll need to pass each supervised jump and demonstrate mastery of required skills. Once you’re approved, you’ll be ready to perform your self-supervised jumps – meaning, performing jumps completely by yourself! 

With the successful completion of the program – which includes 25 jumps total – and passing the written and oral exams, you will graduate with your USPA A license. Welcome to our sky fam! Now, you can jump at other dropzones, with other skydivers, and attend special events.

Tandem Skydiving vs. Solo Skydiving

When it comes to skydiving, you really can’t go wrong with any option. The choice between a tandem skydive versus learning to skydive solo is totally dependent on your preference. 

Tandem skydiving is ideal for those looking for an easily accessible way to experience the thrill of skydiving without carrying the burden of responsibility. On a tandem skydive you can fully immerse yourself in the moment without worrying too much about technicalities. It’s an unforgettable experience that has the power to change your life, often inspiring participants to take on other challenges in their life and perhaps even pursue a skydiving license.

Solo skydiving, on the other hand, requires extreme focus and responsibility. While it’s an all-encompassing experience compared to tandem skydiving, the reward of pulling off your own successful skydive and parachute landing is sooooo worth it! Every decision, from freefall body positioning to parachute deployment, is yours to make, resulting in a deeply empowering experience.

Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to make a tandem skydive or go full-send into solo skydiving:

Tandem Skydiving Pros

• Convenience: A tandem skydive only requires a short, 20-30 minute training session prior to suiting up. You’ll be up in the air the same day (weather depending).
• Safety: Leaving the responsibility of the majority of the skydive in the hands of a certified professional certainly takes a lot of pressure off of you and prioritizes safety. Your tandem instructor is responsible for deploying and steering the parachute, and facilitating the landing.
• Relax and Enjoy: On a tandem skydive you can focus entirely on the experience without the added worry of technicalities like parachute deployment and navigating back to the dropzone.
• Money, Money, Money: A tandem skydive is much cheaper when compared to learning how to skydive solo. A tandem at Oklahoma Skydiving Center costs between $240 and $420, depending on the altitude you jump from. 

Tandem Skydiving Cons

• Trust: Trusting someone is a huge deal, and trusting a stranger can be a no-go for some people. We respect your boundaries if that’s a deal breaker for you, but know that every instructor at Oklahoma Skydiving Center is USPA-certified and we take safety – yours and that of our team members’ – extremely seriously.
• Limited Control: You might be someone who likes to have complete control and may be inclined to want to “take the reins.”
• Introductory Experience: Tandem skydiving is great for beginners, but may feel limiting for those seeking deeper involvement in the sport

Solo Skydiving Pros

• Full Control: You’re steering your own ship, Captain! You manage every aspect of the jump, from exit to landing, allowing for a deeply personal experience.
• Total ADRENALINE Rush: The empowerment and sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a successful skydive all by yourself accompanied by pure adrenaline is a huge rush!
• Gain a New Skill: Solo skydiving builds confidence and independence. You get to learn and master techniques as you progress through training and exploring new disciplines within the sport.
• Community: The skydiving community is one big, tight-knit family. Being around that positive energy on a frequent basis can really give a sense of purpose and belonging. Becoming a licensed skydiver opens the door to a worldwide network of enthusiasts and special events.

Solo Skydiving Cons

• Time Commitment: AFF requires a major time commitment. The classroom training alone can last an entire day, and the path to course completion can be weeks or months long, depending on your schedule and funds – and the weather. Skydiving students are bound to stricter weather protocols, so even mild weather/wind can restrict your ability to jump. Also important to consider is that AFF students have to jump at least once every 30 days to stay current.
• Skydiving Solo Cost: Completing AFF can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on progression. Once you have your license, you’ll need to either rent gear or buy your own, which can cost a pretty penny.
• Responsibility: On a tandem, you jump with an instructor who has at least 500 jumps and three years in the sport. Learning to jump solo, of course, involves more risk as you have very little to zero experience at the start.

Either choice – tandem or solo skydiving – will challenge you to achieve new heights. From nerves and anxiety before you jump and total freedom as you exit the plane, to a sense of unparalleled accomplishment when you land, skydiving is a phenomenal way to let go of your fear, truly appreciate the majesty of Mother Earth, and feel so, so lucky to be alive!

There’s only one way to find out the difference between pairing up and ridin’ solo – come and skydive with us and get the best of both worlds! Blue skies, high flyers!