Articles

Your Questions Answered

Interested in learning more about the sport of skydiving? Want to now what it's like to freefall at 120mph? Can't decide whether you should take the leap or not?

We've got you covered! Check out our collection of skydiving articles written just for you! Let our experienced skydiving staff answer some of your burning questions, ease your mind, and help you make informed decisions about planning your upcoming skydive.

Have a topic or question you'd like us to address? Contact us with your idea, we'd love to help!

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May 14

Who Packed Your Parachute Today?

Considering a tandem skydive? Wondering who packed your parachute at the dropzone? Learn all about parachute rigging and what it takes to become certified.
Apr 25

Can I Get Altitude Sickness From Skydiving?

Many a newbie skydiver has asked him/herself: Can I get altitude sickness from skydiving? It stands to reason that yes, it's indeed a possibility. But we have all the tips and tricks that can help you prevent that from happening. Read on.
Apr 23

SKYDIVE LONG ISLAND SUPPORTS GAY RIGHTS AND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

"We hire our staff based on qualifications related to skydiving and hospitality. We do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, race, gender or religious affiliation. Personally, I have family members who are gay and it has always been my position to be supportive of gay rights and the LGBTQ community. We are all the same and we do not tolerate discrimination."

-Owner, Brian Erler
Apr 19

What is a Halo Jump?

What is a HALO jump? In short - it is a high altitude skydiving jump, typically used by the military. These days though, civilians can get in on the fun as well. How, you ask? Here's all you need to know.
Apr 9

Skydiving Does Not Discriminate

Looking for a crowd that doesn't discriminate and revels in an atmosphere of pure acceptance? Consider your local dropzone.
Mar 18

Skydiving vs Bungee Jumping

Which is better: skydiving or bungee jumping? They are both awesome sports in their own right, and totally, completely, entirely, 100%, unmistakably different. If you're an adventurous soul, you owe it to yourself to try both!
Jan 31

Best Shoes For Skydiving

Are you getting ready to make a skydive and wondering what you should sport from head to toe? While there are no specific "best shoes for skydiving", here's what you need to know.
Jan 31

What To Wear for the First Time Skydiving

We know the conundrum: What to wear for your first time skydiving? It's going to be warm on the ground, chilly at altitude - and you wanna ace that skydiving video. Not to worry - we have your guide to foolproof skydiving fashion that will keep you comfy and looking like a rock star.
Jan 16

Terminal Velocity in Skydiving

Wondering what terminal velocity in skydiving is and how it's calculated? Welcome to our physics lab wherein we present you with an easy-to-understand explanation.
Jan 1

That Jumping Out of an Airplane Feeling

That jumping out of an airplane feeling is a hard one to describe and an even harder one to forget. For some its all adrenaline, for others it's transcendent. To deconstruct it, let's take a look at the sensory experiences and the science behind them.
Dec 10

What is the Skydiving Experience Like?

You've read all the articles about what skydiving feels like; what you should wear; what you should eat; why you should sign up for this crazy adventure in the first place. But what is the experience of a first-time skydive really like? Wonder no more.
Nov 23

Skydiving Dogs

What's even cooler than an amazing dog? An amazing skydiving dog! Inspired by a few fun videos we've run across recently, we wanted to share some facts and giggles about four-legged flying.
Nov 20

Skydiving Anxiety and How You Can Prepare

The wild blue yonder is waiting. What's holding you back? If it's a little bit of skydiving anxiety, you aren't alone. Read our tips to say sayonara to your anxiety, and hello to the adventure of a lifetime.
Aug 29

Why Skydiving near New York is So Amazing!

When visiting New York City (especially for the first time), there's no shortage of things to do between visiting Central Park, going to Times Square, Broadway and anything and everything you could possibly desire. But what if we told you there's something else to consider... SKYDIVING!
Aug 20

Skydiving Freefall: What To Expect

Flying is one of the most thrilling and exhilarating experiences imaginable. More than one million people worldwide make a tandem skydive a year. The holy grail every skydiver seeks is the unparalleled high offered up during skydiving freefall. Here's what you can expect.
Jul 18

The Physics of Skydiving

Welcome to our Physics of Skydiving lab! Though you may have snoozed through it in school, we guarantee the physics you'll learn here are not only super fun, but will actually make your first tandem skydive a much more satisfying experience.
Jun 18

Burning Man Skydive

So maybe you've done your first tandem jump with Skydive Long Island, and you want MORE. You've also scored a golden ticket to the Burning Man event in Nevada, and now you're asking yourself: Can I do a Burning Man skydive? Well... read on to learn all about it.
May 31

What To Know About Skydiving With A Cold

Let's talk about ears and skydiving with a cold! Anyone who's flown in a commercial aircraft knows that the changing air pressure can play at least a little havoc on your ears. But what about skydiving? Here are our best how-to rules for a safe, comfortable and painless skydive for your hearing-holes.
May 30

Is Skydiving a Sport?

Is skydiving a sport? Simply put, the definition of a sport is a "physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs, often engaged in competitively." But the reason skydiving has such staying power is because it is, definitionally, a sport in every way you can define the word. Learn about the various disciplines that define sport skydiving.
May 7

What Every College Student Should Know About Skydiving

As a college student, you've already got a lot on your plate. We'd like to suggest you take up skydiving too. Wait - what?! Read on to learn about the many ways skydiving can actually benefit you, your studies, and most importantly - your future.
Apr 6

What Is Skydiving?

So - what is skydiving? If you want to vault over into the ranks of the savvy, read on and we'll give you insight into what the differences between skydiving, BASE jumping, hang gliding, para gliding and all the other fun gravity sports are.
Apr 6

Foolproof Tips to Look Good In a Skydiving Video

You just signed up to jump out of a plane, cruising through the wild blue yonder... and you have nothing to wear! Eek! The pressure is ON. You need fool-proof tips to look good in that skydiving video. Luckily, this is absolutely possible - and we're here to help.
Apr 2

Skydiving Birthdays - and Other Events to Celebrate with a Skydive

Some people throw parties. Others kick it up a notch and go the extra mile to mark the special occasion by making it truly memorable - like with a skydiving birthday party. Because nothing clocks in on the "memorable" scale quite like commemorating with a skydive! Here are the top five party times that lend themselves to jumping out of a plane.
Mar 29

Why Do Skydivers Wear Helmets?

Ever wondered why skydivers wear helmets? Or what the different types of helmets are for skydiving? Which one should you chose? Read on and learn all about the wonderful world of skydiving helmets.
Feb 27

How To Convince Your Mom Skydiving is Safe

So you want to jump out of a plane. Read on about what it's going to take to convince your mom that skydiving is safe, what the skydiving age limit is, and how to find a safe dropzone.
Feb 15

Skydiving for Kids

Is skydiving for kids? Maybe skydiving was your first love. But then you had kids, and as they grow older, you start asking yourself: Can I involve them? How? Read our tips for how to have the most family skydiving fun!
Jan 29

Skydiving Exits: Backflips and so much more

This is it. You're doing it. Nothing can stop you now. You're going SKYDIVING. And there's only one thing you want to know: Can I do any fun skydiving exits out of the plane? Maybe a backflip or a spin out the door?
Jan 10

Why Starting Out Tandem Skydiving Is A Good Idea

Strictly speaking, your first jump out of a plane does not have to be a tandem skydiving experience. That said: It's a pretty darn good idea. Here's why.
Dec 27

Why Skydiving Is Not a Crazy Thing To Do

When you tell someone you're going off to make a skydive, there's a high probability that they're going to respond by telling you you're crazy. And they are totally and completely wrong.
Dec 7

Best experience gifts for couples

If you're planning an amazing gift for the apple of your eye, may we humbly suggest a skydiving gift certificate? It's the best couples gift you'll ever give for all sorts of reasons. Let us bend your ear to convince you!
Nov 27

Skydiving Facts That May Surprise You

We love a good surprise. Don't you? If you're just as fond of a toe-curling "aha" moment, we have just the stuff you'll love: fun skydiving facts that will dazzle your friends at dinner parties. Without further ado, let's (sky) dive right in!
Nov 11

Why Can't I Jump My GoPro?

In order to get the glorious footage of your tandem jump, you're going to have to leave the cinematography in the capable hands of one of our professional aerial videographers. Before you start stamping your feet, lean in and listen to why.
Oct 19

Five Questions Every First Time Jumper Should Be Asking

Your first jump is so exciting. But before we get down to it (get 'down', get it?), here are five questions every first-time jumper should ask.
Oct 10

Do People Pass Out, Pee Their Pants, Scream or Puke Skydiving?

You should totally have the full information about what you're getting into, from the standpoint of dignity as well as safety! Since we get these questions more often than you'd think, we've decided to break it all down for you here.
Sep 13

Tandem Skydiving: How to Mentally & Physically Prepare for Your First Jump

When you understand that a tandem skydive is an opportunity to put your best foot forward in a totally unfamiliar situation, it can be seen as a chance to get better at life in general.
Sep 1

The 3 Phases of Skydiving: Freefall, Parachute Opening & Landing

When you sign up to jump with us at Skydive Long Island, you'll be taken for quite a ride. Every skydive has three distinct phases: freefall, parachute opening and landing.
Aug 14

5 Reasons Why You Should Jump Out of Perfectly Good Airplanes

If we had a nickle for every time someone asked, "why would you jump from a perfectly good airplane," we'd own at least 50 Gatsby-sized mansions on Long Island.
Aug 7

Parachuting vs. Skydiving: What's the Difference?

Parachuting? Skydiving? They're nearly interchangeable terms. However, there are subtle definitional differences. Find out more.
Jul 25

Understanding the Skydive Refund Policy

Will I get a refund if the weather is bad? We get this question all the time. Get the answer here!
Jul 20

Couples Skydiving: Gifts, Proposals & Weddings

We think that shared sky is the glue that binds the strongest relationships on the planet, and we couldn't be more delighted by the time we spend in the sky with our loved ones. Today, we're going to celebrate love and freefall by answering your most breathless questions about couples skydiving. After all: All you need is love! (And a plane, and parachutes .)
Jun 22

What’s the Skydiving Age Limit

Across the world there are a variety of age restrictions for skydiving, but for Skydive Long Island and the rest of the U.S., the minimum age to skydive is 18.
Jun 14

Skydiving Goggles: What You Should Know

Skydiving goggles are an important part of your skydiving kit. Find out all you need to know, here.
May 30

Why Skydiving is Addicting

Skydiving can be totally addictive! Jumping out of an airplane is unlike anything you've done before. Find out more.
May 25

Can You Skydive Pregnant?

The simple answer is this: Yes, you can skydive pregnant if you are a licensed jumper and you choose to take the risks. No, you cannot skydive pregnant if you are a first time jumper, because of the considerable liabilities. Read on to learn more!
Apr 24

Tandem Skydiving? What To Expect

It's time to take the leap; it's time for your first skydive! But what can you expect as a tandem skydiver Here, we'll explain what you can expect when tandem skydiving with us.?
Apr 10

What You Don’t Know About Your Skydiving Instructor

When you meet your skydiving tandem instructor for the first time, chances are good that you've never met a professional skydiver before. Since you're going to be spending the next half hour under the close, direct oversight of this new best friend, you'd probably like to have some idea of the person you're shaking hands with.
Mar 28

How to Get Over a Fear of Skydiving

Do you have a fear of skydiving? It's not uncommon; in fact, most people who jump experience some form of fear. Learn how to overcome it here.
Mar 21

Skydiving: What You Don’t Expect

Have you ever thought of trying skydiving for yourself? It's an incredible experience unlike any other... learn more about what you don't expect here.
Feb 21

Skydiving Safety Facts | How to Stay Safe When Skydiving

Anyone taking part in skydiving knows there are associated risks - as there are with any sport. Find out how to stay safe when skydiving here.
Feb 10

How Fast Do You Fall When Skydiving Tandem?

We want to help you understand what's really going on with the speed during a tandem skydive. Mind you: it's probably not as you imagine. It's better.
Jan 27

Bucket List Skydiving Top 5

There are five kinds of jumps that are pretty much universally hailed as the best skydives you can do. Whether you're a brand-new jumper or a seasoned pro, you've gotta collect 'em all!
Jan 16

5 Cool Pieces of Skydiving Gear You Didn’t Know About

Skydiving has evolved a lot over the years. Today, we have loads of cool gear which help to keep us safer and to achieve more in our jumps. Here, we look at 5 cool pieces of skydiving gear you didn't know about...
Dec 20

Skydiving Deals - Why You Shouldn’t Just Book the Cheapest

At Skydive Long Island, many of our tandem skydiving customers find us via searches such as 'skydiving NYC or 'skydiving near me'. But once you start browsing, another search may appeal - 'skydiving best price'. This is an easy trap to fall into.
Dec 14

The Best Experience Gifts In NYC

Holiday shopping is filled with angst when trying to purchase that 'perfect gift.' The truth is we all have lots of stuff; what we really want are experiences!
Nov 28

What Skydiving Feels Like

Everything you think you know about what skydiving feels like is probably wrong. Skydiving Does Not Feel like a Roller Coaster. At All. Ever.?
Nov 15

When Will a Skydive Be Canceled?

It's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky than in the sky wishing you were on the ground. In our books, there is no bigger bummer than the cancellation of a skydive when the weather conditions for skydiving aren't agreeable
Oct 31

3 Reasons Skydiving Will Change Your Life

Once you've jumped out the door of a plane, you'll never be the same person again. Here's our top 3 reasons why skydiving is a life-changing experience.
Oct 25

How Do Skydiving Parachutes Work?

Get the inside scoop on tandem skydiving safety and learn how parachutes work to deliver the safest, most-fun skydiving experience you can have.
Sep 28

Are Skydiving Videos Worth The Money?

You wouldn't get married without a photographer. So why skydive without a video package? Find out more here.
Sep 21

Skydiving Near Me

There are some tricksters out there that make a ton of money from the fact that non-skydivers have a hard time differentiating between real dropzones and price-hiked fakers. Here's how they do it, and how to protect yourself.
Aug 16

Why Skydiving Is Awesome

Here's why you might love your first-time skydiving experience so much you'll literally drop everything else and run off to join our circus. Seriously.
Jul 14

Does Skydiving Feel Like a Roller Coaster?

We often get asked, 'does your stomach drop when you skydive'? Here we discuss what skydiving feels like and how it differs from riding a roller coaster.
Jul 12

Skydiving: It’s Natural To Feel Scared

If you're not feeling a little scared before you jump out of a high-flying plane, something is very wrong. It's natural to be a little--even a lot--freaked-out!
Jun 28

Why Does Skydiving Cost So Much?

There's no two ways about it... skydiving is expensive. We know you'll walk away saying it was worth it, but let's answer the ultimate question... "Why does skydiving cost so much?" The answer may leave you hesitating to open a skydiving center anytime soon!
Jun 15

Why is There a Weight Limit in Tandem Skydiving?

Weight limits in skydiving?! C'mon now. Isn't this all about freedom and flying through the air with the greatest of ease? Check out these three must-knows, and you'll understand why that is.
May 25

How Dangerous is Tandem Skydiving?

Anticipating your upcoming tandem skydive? It's natural to wonder about the potential risks involved. While we recognize that skydiving isn't a perfectly safe sport, we think you'll be encouraged to learn why skydiving is the safest it's ever been.
May 15

Is Skydiving Worth It?

Although skydiving is statistically safer than driving a car, we all understand that there are potential risks involved. Here we deal with the question ... is skydiving worth it?
Apr 30

Is Skydiving a Responsible Thing For Me To Do?

If you've been invited to join a friend to make a tandem skydive, there's a good chance you may pause and wonder if this is a responsible thing for you to do.
Apr 8

Skydiving Long Island: Why Choose Us!

Skydiving Long Island is a great idea - Skydive Long Island is the BEST IDEA!
Mar 4

Tips To Improve Your Skydiving Experience

Thinking of making a skydive? We offer some valuable tips to help our guests get the most enjoyment from their skydiving experience!
Mar 4

What To Look For When Selecting a DZ

There are lots of drop zones in the United States who offer skydiving, but no two drop zones are the same! There isn't a manual out there telling you what to look for.... so we're here to share some insider knowledge!
Mar 4

The Top 10 Skydiving World Records

Setting a skydiving world record always brings a major challenge. We list the top 10 World Record Skydives in the history of the sport.
Mar 3

Is Skydiving Risky?

Why would anyone want to jump from a perfectly good airplane? If a skydiver was given a dollar for every time they heard that... they'd be rich. It's hard for people to get their heads around this concept. Most skydivers find it difficult to explain the 'why' for this so called madness, but here's the answer... FREEDOM.
Feb 24

The Rewards of Skydiving

Life is full of risk. Is skydiving a necessary risk? It depends who you ask, but millions of people around the world will tell you it is.
Jan 12

Top 10 Reasons To Skydive

Why would you skydive out of a perfectly good plane? Good question! To answer this age old question... we provide you with the top ten reasons....
Dec 11

The World's Most Beautiful Skydiving Destinations

This week we ask the question: if you could skydive anywhere in the world, where would it be? With opportunities to make a jump in just about every corner of the globe, the options are overwhelming. However, there are a few places whose beauty is best appreciated from 13,000 feet. Check out our list of The World's Most Beautiful Skydiving Destinations.
Jul 5

Top 5 Things To Do on Long Island

Looking for some awesome things to do on Long Island? Here's a short list of adventure things to do as judged by our staff!
Feb 9

The Best Skydiving Videos of 2014

We've scoured the interwebs (it was raining on Saturday) and watched countless skydiving videos from all over the world! We've created our list of the best skydiving videos of 2014.... enjoy!
Aug 26

Understanding Skydiving Terms

There are a lot of terms in the skydiving lexicon that are used so frequently that we often forget that those on the outside of the sport don't know what they mean. We clear up any potential confusion:
Aug 15

Top 5 Skydiving Movies

There have been some great movies that showcase skydiving - some are fantastic and some terrible (see Cutaway) movies. This list represents the mose influential skydiving movies of all time!
Jun 27

Instructor Profile: Erika Dufort

If you've jumped at Skydive Long Island in the last couple of years, there's a good chance that you've either chatted with or jumped with Erika Dufort. Erika is the woman who makes everything possible and runs the show at Skydive Long Island. As a tandem skydiving instructor and the person who handles the day to day operations, Erika is the glue that holds the place together.
Jun 30

Tips for Skydiving in Cold Weather

Skydivers love to jump, but preparing to jump during the winter months is much different than jumping during the summer months. Some tips to help you jump safely in cold weather.
Jun 15

Falling vs Flying

Once you've earned your A-license the skydiving world is your oyster! Prepare to start learning tons, no matter what discipline you enter! Here we discuss your first major step of upping your skill to go from falling to FLYING !
May 30

Let's Talk About Tracking

Tracking away from a formation is a valuable and necessary skill to keep both yourself and those you're jumping with, safe. Learn the intricacies of tracking!
May 15

Arrive Alive - 10 Tips To Keep You Alive

There is so much to learn in this amazing sport of ours! Even if you have 5,000 or 10,000 jumps, there's always something new. We chatted with several highly experienced jumpers and asked them to share some of their wisdom.... the points in this article are invaluable!
May 1

Balancing Skydiving and Life

How do you balance your passion and everyday life? When you get hooked to something as amazing as skydiving, it can be all encompassing.
Apr 15

Let’s Talk about Patterns

Flying a correct landing pattern is necessary to ensure you and those around you are safe! Some tips and thoughts about flying a good landing pattern!
Apr 1

Having Fun as a Couple: Skydiving Together

Looking to get more out of your two-way skydives? We offer some tips and drills to help you go beyond the typical zoo dive!
Mar 15

Skydiving with an Action Camera

If skydiving, you'll want to capture every angle of your skydive... and you should. Some insider thoughts about jumping with an action cam and the dangers it can pose.
Mar 1

What is Jump Run?

Thoughts on jump run, exit order and staying safe! Some jump run fundamentals every skydivers should know!
Feb 15

Buying Your First Rig: What To Know

You've just finished your AFF course and see the cost of renting a rig requires another hit to the credit card. Should you buy new gear? Not just yet.
Feb 1

Learning To FreeFly

Think you're ready for free flying? Here are a few things to think about before going all out!
Jan 15

Skydiving Fun Facts

Skydiving isn't in the world's spotlight as much as other extreme sports, but the records are mind-blowing. Click to learn more about the amazing facts about skydiving!
Jan 2

The History of Skydiving

Though the sport of skydiving is young, the history of how it began goes as far back as 1100!