Parachuting

Parachuting and skydiving are methods of descending from high altitudes to the ground.

These activities use the force of gravity and a parachute to control a descent. The process is divided into three distinct phases. First is freefall, where the jumper falls without a deployed parachute. During this time, the body accelerates until it reaches terminal velocity. The second phase is parachute deployment, when the canopy opens. The final phase is the landing on the surface.

Skydiving is often practiced as a recreational activity or a competitive sport. It is considered an extreme sport because of the inherent risks. Modern militaries also use parachuting to deploy airborne forces and supplies. Special operations forces often use free-fall parachuting for rapid insertion. In the United States, forest firefighters known as "smokejumpers" jump into remote areas to fight fires. Historically, aviators used parachutes to escape aircraft that could not land safely. During World War I and World War II, this was a common method of escape. Today, most pilots use ejection seats to exit aircraft in distress. These seats use explosive charges or rocket propulsion to carry the occupant away safely.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) recognizes many different skydiving disciplines. Formation skydiving involves jumpers working together in groups. Freeflying includes freestyle skydiving and skysurfing. Some jumpers use wingsuits to change their flight path. Other disciplines include canopy piloting, night jumps, and high altitude jumps. There are also movement jumps, such as tracking and angle flying. Speed skydiving is another recognized category. Stunt skydiving is a non-routine form used for demonstrations or films. These jumps require intense planning and coordination with pilots.

Parachuting has a long history of human achievement. The first recorded parachute jump occurred on October 22, 1797. A Frenchman named André-Jacques Garnerin performed this feat.

He jumped from a hot air balloon over Parc Monceau in Paris. He used a parachute made of silk to descend approximately 3,000 feet. This event helped prove that humans could descend safely from great heights using a canopy.

Safety is a primary concern for all participants in the sport. In 2024, the 41,000 members of the USPA reported making 3.88 million skydives. During that same year, there were 9 civilian fatalities in the United States. About 5.6% of USPA members reported injuries requiring medical treatment. Most injuries, roughly 85%, occur during the landing phase.

Improper landings are a major cause of injury. This includes "swooping," which is an advanced discipline of gliding at high speeds parallel to the ground. Sudden wind changes or turbulence can also cause problems. Shifting winds can lead to crosswind landings, which increase impact speed.

Equipment reliability is vital for preventing accidents. In the United States, skydivers are required to carry two parachutes. This includes a main parachute and a reserve parachute.

Reserve parachutes are built to much stricter standards than main canopies. In 2024, approximately one in 764 jumps required a reserve parachute. Certified parachute riggers must inspect and repack reserves every 180 days. Many jumpers also use an Automatic Activation Device (AAD). An AAD can automatically deploy the reserve parachute if it detects freefall at a low altitude.

To prevent injuries during landing, jumpers learn the Parachute Landing Fall, or PLF. The PLF helps the body absorb impact through large muscles. These muscles include the gastrocnemius and the tibialis anterior. This technique protects smaller bones and ligaments from breaking.

Jumpers are also encouraged to wear supportive footwear. This helps prevent ankle injuries during the landing process. Proper training, which can last 4 to 8 hours for beginners, is essential for safety.