Tandem skydive: real requirements
Age, weight, health, clothing, weather. Everything schools actually check before letting you board the plane.
Age
In Italy, from 16 with written consent from both parents. From 18, independently. There is no formal upper age limit for tandem: if you're in good health and sign the health declaration, schools will let you jump at 70, 75, 80. The Italian record is over 90.
Weight and height
Typical weight limit: 95 kg. Some schools accept up to 100 kg with a €20–€40 surcharge. Above 100 kg almost all refuse: not weight per se, but because the certified tandem harness is not designed beyond that. Height is not a limit: tandem fits from 1.50m to 2.00m+.
Health
No formal medical exam needed for tandem. The school has you sign a self-declaration excluding:
- Serious cardiac conditions (recent heart attack, decompensation, malignant arrhythmias)
- Epilepsy (even if drug-controlled)
- Recent surgery (< 6 months) on back, neck, knees
- Chronic shoulder dislocations
- Pregnancy
Clothing
What you wear:
- Comfortable sport clothes (sweatshirt + leggings or sweatpants)
- Closed laced sneakers (no high-ankle shoes)
- Hair tied
- No jewelry, watches, scarves, sunglasses
What the school provides: jumpsuit over your clothes, helmet, flying goggles, tandem harness.
Weather
Tandem is weather-dependent. Serious schools don't jump if: ground wind > 20–25 knots, cloud cover below 1,500m, rain, nearby storms, severe high-altitude turbulence. If borderline: wait. Schools always reschedule — you have the right to a rebook.
Requirements FAQs
- What age can you do a tandem skydive?
- From 16 with written consent from both parents. From 18 independently. No formal upper age limit: if you're in good health, you can jump at 70+ — there are records of tandems past 80.
- What is the maximum weight for a tandem?
- Typically 95 kg, some schools accept up to 100 kg with a surcharge. The limit isn't arbitrary: it's the certified tandem harness structure. Above 100 kg schools refuse for safety reasons.
- Do you need a medical exam for tandem?
- No, not for tandem. Only needed for the AFF course. For tandem the school has you sign a health self-declaration (no serious cardiac conditions, no epilepsy, no recent surgery).
- What should I wear?
- Comfortable sport clothes, closed laced sneakers. The school provides jumpsuit, helmet, goggles, harness. No jewelry, no scarves, hair tied.
- What happens if it rains or is windy?
- Postponed. Tandem is weather-dependent: needs clear sky, ground wind under 20-25 knots, cloud cover below certain altitudes. Serious schools never jump in borderline weather.
- Can I jump if I'm pregnant?
- No. Almost all schools refuse for insurance reasons. Even in the early weeks it's better to wait.
- What about back problems?
- Depends. Parachute opening is a significant tug. If you have hernias, recent back surgery or serious cervical issues, talk to your doctor and instructor first.