Honest answer: tandem jumping with an ENAC school is one of the lowest "controlled-risk" sports. Redundancy, checklists, training and automatic AAD cut risk by orders of magnitude.
Fatal tandem incidents (source USPA 2023)
0,002 ‰
Per 1,000 tandem jumps in the USA, the risk of fatal incident is about 2 per 1 million jumps. That's ~500 times less risky than riding a motorcycle for an average year.
Deployed by the jumper (or tandem instructor) at about 1,500 m. Inspected at every repack.
If the main fails, you cutaway and deploy the reserve. Repacked by certified rigger every 6 months.
Cypres or MARS: if at 750 m you're still in freefall, it automatically activates the reserve. Mandatory by law.
Three cross-checks: in hangar, before boarding, before the door. ICAO procedure.
Myth
"If the parachute doesn't open, you're done"
Fact
You always have a reserve. The system is designed to HAVE to fail twice + automatic sensor to save you from a real problem.
Myth
"Tandem depends on instructor's courage"
Fact
Tandem depends on standard procedures. The instructor has 500+ jumps, annual ENAC training, and can't go past if a check fails.
Myth
"The risk is as high as climbing or motorcycling"
Fact
Tandem has ~0.002 fatal incidents per 1,000 jumps (source USPA 2023). Motorcycling: 1.3 per 1,000 riders/year.
Myth
"With wrong wind it's a disaster"
Fact
The jump is simply cancelled. Schools monitor weather continuously: if ground wind > 11 m/s or gusts > 13, jumps are suspended.
All 36 Quota 4000 schools are ENAC-certified: annual audit, verified maintenance, qualified instructors.