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Skydiving for the Disabled

Skydiving for the Disabled

At Start Skydiving we are able to accommodate those who have the desire to experience the extreme sport of skydiving. Each disability requires special considerations. If there are any concerns about whether your disability may affect your skydiving experience, please get a doctor′s opinion. We cannot tell you how skydiving may affect you – only you and your physician can make the judgment.

Listed below are the disabilities with which we are experienced. For any skydive, communication is integral.

Hearing impaired/deaf:

Tandem Skydives: This disability does not affect the tandem skydive. However, the tandem master must be able to convey to the hearing-impaired student exactly what is expected of them (i.e. legs up during landings). If desired, the services of a signing interpreter with knowledge of the sport of skydiving can be offered at a rate of $75.

AFF: Communication is critical here. AFF Level I requires a 4-6 hour long First Jump Course where the student learns everything they need to know to make their first solo skydive. To attend this course, a signing interpreter with knowledge of the sport of skydiving will be necessary. This service can be provided for an additional charge of $175 per student.

Sight Impaired/blind:

Tandem Skydives: There are no special considerations concerning the sight-impaired.

AFF: Unfortunately, sight is integral to solo training, so we cannot offer this service for those that do not have corrected vision to 20/20.

Paraplegic:

Tandem Skydives: Due to the simplicity of the tandem method, there is only a minor effect. We have designed special equipment that must be worn and adjustments will be required, so extra preparation time will be needed. For this reason, we require paraplegics to come out during the weekdays (Mon-Thurs) due to the additional length of time this skydive may require, so that we can focus on the safety of your skydive. There is the risk of bone injury, so it is strongly suggested that you make this decision with your doctor.

AFF: Yes Accelerated Freefall is possible for those with superb upper body strength. You must go through the same AFF First Jump Course in addition to a five stage program that includes wind tunnel training. This program is expensive but if you are wanting to freefall solo some day it is worth it. The estimated cost is around $6500 to attain solo freefall status. Travel and lodging are not included in this cost.

Quadriplegic:

Tandem Skydives: We are the only skydiving center in the United States that specializes in taking quadriplegics skydiving. We have designed special equipment that must be worn and adjustments will be required, so extra preparation time will be needed. For this reason, we require quadriplegics to come out during the weekdays due to the additional length of time this skydive may require, so that we can focus on the safety of your skydive. There is the risk of bone injury, so it is strongly suggested that you make this decision with your doctor.

AFF: Is not available.

The ability to skydive will be determined by the Safety and Training Advisor (S&TA) at Start Skydiving. If we are unable to make a good determination, then a doctor’s note will be requested.