fitness for skydiving

Our governing body the British Parachute Association (BPA) has changed the regulations regarding fitness forms for tandem skydives. From April 2016 two BPA Fitness forms 115 A & B have replaced previous form 115 and the mandatory requirement for doctors medicals for age 40+ has been removed. Customer who have already had the the old form 115 in date will still be accepted and do not need to get the form replaced.

The minimum weight is 7st and minimum height 4ft11. Those who have a height and/or weight under this will require a harness fitting assessment before being approved, There is no upper height limit, as yet we have been able to accommodate taller customers, but we advise that anyone over 6ft5 will need to fit comfortably in the harness.

Please be aware that approval to skydive on a given day is based on wind strength & speedand your own unique personal combination of Age, Height and Weight as tandem jumpers are required to lift their legs up 90 degrees to their body to assist with the landing. Therefore not all conditions are suitable for all tandem students and, for your safety, theChief Instructor may choose to postpone your jump until wind conditions are more suitable. In some cases this unfortunately may result in your skydive being rescheduled for an alternative date.This particularly affects those tandem students who are elderly, less agile, have limitedmobility or are otherwise less physically fit as well as those who have a high body mass index particularly females, or those close to the upper weight limit.We suggest that those with a BMI of 30+ are likely to need suitable wind conditions, and those with a BMI of 35+>will most likely need a constant wind speed of at least 10 knots. We regret that those with a BMI of 39+ are not able to take part in a tandem skydive. We hope this does not demotivate you from taking part, but we do feel that it is important to be as honest as possible so that our customershave a realistic understanding of the complexities of such an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity and and for you to appreciate that we only have your best interestsand safety in mind.

Anyone unable to declare or with any of the noted medical conditions: must have a BPA Solo student fitness form 115D stamped by a doctor.BPA Solo Student Declaration of Fitness form 115D Everyone needs to complete the top section of the form. The bottom section of the form is to be signed and stamped by a doctor for those with medical conditions, recent or recurring injuries or are unable to declare themselves fit to jump for any reason regardless of their age.

Solo students must be under 16 stones (100kg) at reading for example AND weight should be in proportion to height with a Body Mass Index (BMI) no greater than 27.5.

Certain medical conditions (for example, epilepsy, some cardiovascular and neurological conditions and some forms of diabetes) or recurring injuries (for example, recurring dislocations) may prevent you from participating in a skydiving course.If you are in any doubt, please contact us or consult your doctor.

PLEASE DO BEAR IN MIND THESE ARE GENERAL RESTRICTIONS AND EACH STUDENT IS ASSESSED INDIVIDUALLY FOR THIER SUITABILITY FOR THE DESCENT THEY HAVE SELECTED