Can You Wear Glasses or Contacts Skydiving? (And Other Important Skydiving Information)

You're going skydiving for the first time! You have questions! Honestly, if you didn't have any skydiving-related questions on the way to stepping into a plane for the first time, we'd be pretty worried about you. After all, a skydiving aircraft isn't something you should walk into (or out of) with your intellectual eyes closed. Right? Great! Let's set 'em up and knock 'em down.

1. Can you skydive with glasses or contact lenses?

Indeed you can. And, if you wear contact lenses, you should wear them skydiving! We have goggles that will keep your corrective lenses in place for the duration. It would be a crying shame to suffer through a blurry skydive, especially with the Big Apple skyline sittin' there waiting for you to gawk at it.

2. Is the jumpsuit required?

Not technically speaking, no. But hear this, fashionista/o: Donning a jumpsuit for a tandem skydive is a smart move. It'll protect your clothing from scuffs and grass stains, your body from the chillier temps up top and your dignity from the 120MPH wind. (Pro tip: exposed skin that looks great on the ground doesn't look as great in a skydiving video.)

What to wear under your jumpsuit? That's easy: thin layers. Even in colder weather, this plan works really well. Several thin layers trap warm air between them...plus, you'll be able to take them off when you want to, and you'll be able to move more freely in the plane, in the air and on the ground (which you want).

3. Can we talk footwear?

Heck yes we can. Here's what's acceptable: athletic shoes that lace up tightly. Here's what's unacceptable: slip-ons, heels of any kind and boots with those tricky little hooks to catch the laces. (Those hooks are no bueno around parachute lines, as it turns out.) The general rule: if you can sprint in 'em -- and they don't snag -- they're great for a skydive.

4. I have long hair. Should I wear it up?

That's gonna be a yes. Hair loves to tangle like crazy at 120MPH, so it's in your best interest to manage that crowning glory. Braids work really, really well. Securely-fastened buns are a smart idea, too. Ponytails are also a fan favorite, but we honestly advise a tidier strategy. Bring out that bobby pin collection and tack your hair down so you're not elbows deep in heckin' deep-conditioner for a week.

5. What should I eat and drink before a skydive?

Our best advice is to treat this like a sports meet. Eat normally, moderately and nutritiously before your jump. To put it another way: Don't fast, don't overeat and don't pick this day of all days to make massive changes to the diet you're used to.

You definitely should eat -- and stay hydrated, too. We bring that up again because some folks are too nervous to eat before a skydive, which is understandable. If that's you, pick up a smoothie on the way to the dropzone, and bring snacks. All of the above will help keep your blood sugar on an even keel.

6. I have a head cold! Should I do the skydive?

Oooooh. Y'know what? You're probably going to want to reschedule. We've been at this a long time, and we've learned that In the best cases, skydiving with a cold can result in a snot-drenched skydive; in the worst cases, a sniffly student can end up with a burst eardrum. Get well soon and we'll reschedule your jump for a day when you're well. You'll be glad you did.

Got more questions? We've got more answers! Reach out to us when you book your tandem skydive and we'll answer all your burning questions, one by one. We're here for you!