How many skydiving deaths per year

The trends are definitely heading in the right direction, especially when you consider the actual fatality index rate, not just the total number of fatalities.

The index rate—which shows the number of fatalities per , skydives—provides a consistent standard based on the level of activity each year. In other words, it takes into account any drop off in activity due to circumstances like the COVID pandemic, which closed many drop zones for the spring season then forced them to operate at a reduced level for the rest of the year. Interestingly, although many DZs reported a reduction in the total number of jumps in , quite a few reported an increase in tandem skydives.

Like any outdoor sport, skydiving involves inherent risks, but proper preparation and good judgment can minimize the vast majority of them. Although no equipment can be perfect, modern parachute equipment incorporates advanced safety features and undergoes testing in conditions that far exceed the stresses it will endure on a normal jump.

Each parachute system is equipped with a main and reserve parachute, and all student systems include an automatic activation device that will release the reserve if the main parachute does not deploy. Most experienced skydivers also equip themselves with this device. Skydivers train and retrain each year to handle malfunctions. When it comes to tandem skydiving, it is only as safe as the equipment that is used and the competency of the skydiving instructor. At Wisconsin Skydiving Center safety is our top priority.

To ensure our customers have a fun and safe skydiving experience, we keep high standards. We hire only the best most vetted instructors in the industry ; therefore, every instructor we employ has met the rigorous standards established by the United States Parachute Association. Our commitment to safety extends to our aircraft and skydiving equipment as well; every part is compliant with regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The simple fact is nothing is without risk. Take driving a car for example. According to the National Safety Council, in the U. Yet, no one bats an eye as they climb behind the wheel for their daily commute or weekly trip to the grocery store. This is because, deep down, we understand every action we take has some inherent risk. The goal is to take risks that are worth it. What makes skydiving worth the risk you wonder?

Sure, skydiving is thrilling, but for many, it is so much more. Skydiving affords people an opportunity to face their fear and step outside of their comfort zone. The injury rates quoted are fairly stable and are useful for comparing one type of parachuting with another.

Fatality rates are less stable from year to year due to the thankfully tiny numbers involved — it is debatable whether they are always stable enough for comparing one type of parachuting with another.

There are now three ways to be introduced to parachuting. The risk profiles of these three methods vary considerably.

The risks also vary depending on your gender, age, weight and fitness. For solo jumpers the injury rate for female novices is twice that for male novices. This gender difference has yet to be explained satisfactorily.

The injury rate rises with increasing age, increasing weight and decreasing physical fitness. The novice is strapped to an experienced instructor. After a freefall of several thousand feet, the instructor opens the parachute. The instructor deals with any emergencies. The dual control parachute lets the novice practice canopy control, and the instructor controls the landing.

Obesity may be a significant risk factor for injury even on tandem jumps. The all-time tandem fatality rate since is about 0. This is a great way to be introduced to the sport, requires very little training and probably carries the lowest risk profile. However, it does not leave you ready to continue in the sport and much more training will be required before a solo jump. The novice has to deal with any emergencies and has to steer the parachute to a safe landing area.

The square parachute can give a very soft landing if handled well and vice versa. This method requires significant training and carries a higher injury rate than Tandem jumps.

Injury rates are higher still for the very overweight or unfit and for older novices. It demands significant self-confidence and personal discipline. It is a suitable method of training for those that wish to become skydivers. The novice jumps with a modern square parachute but, instead of a static line opening the parachute immediately, the novice has a free-fall of several thousand feet before opening their parachute themselves. Throughout this free-fall the novice is accompanied by two experienced instructors who continue to teach during the free-fall.

As with static line jumps, women continue to have well over twice the injury rate of men. However jump numbers for AFF are small and the figures may show considerable year to year variation. A reliable fatality rate has not been established due to the relatively lower number of AFF jumps done to date, but it is likely that jumpers aged 40 or over are more at risk. This method requires significant training and has a higher financial cost per jump than the Category System method.

However, due to the accelerated learning, it requires fewer jumps to reach a competent level. It is an excellent method for those wishing to become skydivers.