Tandem skydiving

Piotrków Trybunalski (Poland) 31.08.2019

I got the idea for a skydiving jump after watching a TV report about disabled people who spoke with great enthusiasm about the amazing experiences they had during such a challenge. My enthusiasm was somewhat dampened by a close friend, who is also a tetraplegic and had the opportunity to experience his own tandem skydive. As the altitude increased, he started to "zone out," and only when the plane's door opened did he feel a bit more alert. He also warned me that the jolt when the parachute opened was quite strong, and he nearly flipped over his own limp legs. Had he had joint stiffness in his hips, it could have led to a serious injury.

Where do skydiving jumps for disabled people take place?

Knowing the risks I had to be prepared for, I decided to search for an Aeroclub experienced in skydiving with disabled people. I found information about Turboboogie, an event organized in Piotrków Trybunalski (Poland) by Kasia Śmiałek, where disabled individuals skydive in tandem. Looking at the photos from this event, I noticed that the participants are secured to the instructors in a very safe way that prevents any injury. I was happy to have found a place and people that met my expectations.

Preparations for the skydive

Thanks to the internet, finding the right contact was not a problem, and after setting a date, I arrived at the Aeroclub Ziemi Piotrkowskiej Airport. The instructor I was going to jump with turned out to be a straightforward guy with a great sense of humor, radiating confidence and experience. We started our preparations by dressing me in a jumpsuit, then laying me on the hangar floor to secure the straps and harness. Typically, skydivers only get goggles, but I really wanted to jump with a helmet and visor. A year earlier, I had a flight in a wind tunnel and couldn't catch my breath when my nose and mouth weren't covered. I knew that during the freefall, before the parachute opens, I'd have trouble breathing. We managed to adjust the helmet without any major issues, and after a short briefing, I was ready for my first skydive.

I was carried, along with my wheelchair, onto the airport bus that takes skydivers close to the plane. After we arrived and I was lifted out of the vehicle, I rolled my wheelchair close to the plane, and then I was carried onto its floor. Other skydivers joined us, along with another tandem pair with an able-bodied person. There were about fifteen of us on board. The start of the flight was a bit uncomfortable, but those feelings passed quickly, and we steadily climbed to 4,000 meters. Midway, my instructor began securing me to himself, tightening all the straps and belts firmly. This was quite unpleasant, causing some pain and making it a bit difficult to breathe, but I knew it was essential to ensure complete safety.

The tandem skydive experience

After about 12 minutes of flight, the rear door of the plane opened, and the skydivers began disappearing one by one into the sky. In a few moments, it was almost empty, and it was our turn. As we approached the edge of the platform and I saw the land below me, with fields and meadows in small squares, my emotions peaked. We jumped from the plane with a backward flip, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, only to feel the incredible rush and roar of the wind seconds later. I opened my eyes and saw the smiling cameraman enthusiastically filming my tandem skydive. We were falling at about 200 kilometers per hour, exchanging smiles and signs of joy. We stayed in this position for around 50 seconds, and then the instructor opened the parachute. The jolt was unexpected, quite strong, and a bit uncomfortable, but I thought it would be much worse. In an instant, the wind noise stopped, and a blissful silence took over. The beauty of the surrounding views took my breath away for a good few moments. The instructor loosened some of my straps and pointed out the most distinctive landmarks within view. At one point, we were at the same altitude as the plane we had jumped from, which was now returning to the airport. I also saw other skydivers we had flown with.

After several seconds of amazing sensations, we landed very smoothly on the airstrip, although I had expected a hard landing based on the speed at which the ground was approaching. My instructor once again showed his class, skill, and composure.

Is it worth skydiving?

The first moments after landing were a mix of immense happiness and exhaustion. It took a few minutes for me to gather myself and be able to talk normally about my impressions, which were very joyful and positive. I consider the tandem skydive a fantastic event in my life, and I hope I can do it again someday. I'm glad that, despite my concerns, I didn't experience any discomfort or unpleasant sensations like my previously mentioned friend. Thanks to the instructor's experience, all the inconveniences were reduced to the bare minimum, allowing me to enjoy the jump without significant discomfort. I'm also very grateful to my friend, who was happy to drive me to Piotrków Trybunalski, despite the considerable distance from where I live. I'm very, very happy to have fulfilled another incredible dream!

If you want to overcome another barrier as a disabled person and experience something unique and difficult to describe in words, then skydiving is the right, simplest, and only choice. I can assure you that it's not as scary or dangerous as it might seem. The most important thing is to find a competent and responsible skydiving instructor, and there is at least one such person at the airport in Piotrków.