We all share a deep love for skydiving; it’s why we pour so much time and money into it. But knowing when to step back can be a skill that is often one of the toughest to master. Pulling off of a load doesn’t make you any less of a skydiver—it shows a strong commitment to safety. Playing it smart is always the winning choice.
Understanding the weather
Weather can be a tricky one to master. Winds are essentially invisible, and without someone at your DZ closely monitoring the weather, you could end up on a load that isn’t safe for your skill level—or anyone’s. Understanding the weather conditions in the morning and before every jump is how we can be sure that hopping on a load is the right call. That means knowing what wind your wind limits are and if the winds are within that range, understanding any potential visibility issues, and being aware of any potential turbulence.
There’s no shame in pulling off a jump if the winds pick up or the clouds aren’t really able to guarantee you the visibility you need. These kinds of decisions are geared towards you being able to continue jumping, ultimately. Most of the weather holds I’ve put myself and my students on I’ve been really grateful for and my students have felt relieved. Sure, some of those calls perhaps I could have squeezed in an extra jump or two. But, without the guarantee of some fundamentals, why risk it?
Photo by Tex
Are You Physically and Mentally Ready?
Skydiving is demanding on both the body and the mind. A day of training where your mental game is really switched into focus mode, or a day after a big night out can wear you down. When you’re fatigued mentally or physically, you’re more likely to make poor decisions. If you’re tired, you’re not as responsive. If you’re distracted, you’re not as present. Playing it smart is understanding what you’re capable of and making decisions based on that understanding.
It’s wise to check in with yourself throughout a long day, especially when you’re pushing to keep your energy up. Are you fully present? Would you be able to respond quickly to any malfunction? If not, skip the jump. Nobody ever lies in bed at night thinking, ‘I really wish I had gone on that one jump.'” Plenty have wished they hadn’t made that jump.
Photo by Tex
Your Gear Is Everything
I remember recently someone about to get on a load with me who had his pin exposed to the side of his main flap. Not only was it exposed, indicating the closing loop was too long, but the loop itself was frayed and needing a change. Happily, a few of us had a chat to the jumper and he decided to change his closing loop. It was a full load and he was going to be seated on the floor, which is typically where there’s a lot more movement and opportunities to move the pin around. Making gear checks, understanding your equipment, and caring for it as though your life—and the lives of others—depend on it should be a non-negotiable mindset. Would that jumper have been OK? Probably. But, when you start to get a little relaxed on the basics such as pin exposure and closing loop condition – what else are you becoming complacent about?
Photo by Tex
Be A True Leader
One of the beautiful things about our sport is the ability to keep pushing forward. However, there’s often an unspoken pressure to keep pace with everyone else. And, in some groups perhaps there’s a bit of friendly shaming (is that possible?) to anyone who opts out of a jump. But part of being an experienced skydiver, and part of what keeps you able to jump, is setting and understanding your boundaries and playing it smart. Saying no to a jump doesn’t mean you’re not capable—it means you’re wise enough to know when the risks aren’t worth it.
For those who lead at their dropzone, among friends, or have more jumps than those around them, the ability to say ‘no’ goes beyond self-preservation; it’s about setting a standard. Prioritizing safety in your choices reinforces that skydiving is rooted not only in skill but also in solid judgement and decision making.
Next time you’re on the fence about a jump, remember that playing it smart is one of the most powerful tools you have for creating a long lasting skydiving journey. Understand the conditions, assess your capability throughout the day, take care of your gear and know that sitting one out today can keep you in the sport tomorrow. Every jump is a choice, and sometimes, the best choice is simply to not jump.
