Skydiving, once a niche extreme sport, has evolved into a highly technical and specialized activity, attracting enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world. As the sport has advanced, so too has the terminology used by skydivers. While the basic vocabulary may be familiar to most, the language used by experienced skydivers is rich, precise, and often cryptic to outsiders. Beyond the well‑known altimeter or freefall , there lies a whole lexicon that helps skydivers communicate complex maneuvers, safety procedures, and equipment specifics. In this article, we'll delve into some of the insider terminology and concepts used by advanced skydivers to achieve mastery in the sky.
The Language of the Skydive
1.1 Freefall
While many people associate skydiving with freefall, the term has a very specific meaning. It refers to the phase of the jump after the parachutist exits the aircraft and before the parachute is deployed. Advanced skydivers may extend this phase by controlling their body position, speed, and orientation during the descent. In freefall, skydivers can reach speeds up to 120 mph in a belly‑to‑earth position, with higher speeds in different orientations, such as head‑down.
1.2 Breakoff
The breakoff is a critical maneuver that occurs near the end of the freefall stage. It refers to the moment when skydivers separate from the formation or group they have been flying with during a jump. This typically happens around 3,000 feet to ensure that everyone has enough time to deploy their parachutes at safe altitudes. Advanced jumpers may perform this maneuver with precise timing, especially in large formations.
1.3 Tracking
Tracking is an essential skill for advanced skydivers. It involves controlling one's body to fly horizontally during freefall, rather than falling straight down. Skydivers utilize specific body positions, such as arching their back and spreading their arms and legs, to generate lift and create horizontal movement. This technique allows skydivers to cover a distance before deploying their parachutes and is particularly important for those engaged in group jumps or formation skydiving.
The Art of Canopy Control
2.1 Canopy
The canopy is the parachute that opens after freefall. It is the main piece of equipment for slowing the descent and controlling the landing. Advanced skydivers often use high‑performance canopies , designed for precise control and speed, allowing for more aggressive landings and complex aerial maneuvers.
2.2 Swooping
Swooping is an advanced technique in which the skydiver flies their canopy at high speed, diving toward the ground and pulling up sharply at the last moment to glide into a precise landing. This technique is a combination of canopy control, body awareness, and timing. Swoopers practice this skill extensively to achieve accuracy and maintain safety when landing in tight or challenging spaces.
2.3 Flaring
Flaring refers to the controlled action of pulling on both brake toggles simultaneously to slow down the descent of the canopy just before landing. This technique reduces the speed of the parachute, making for a softer landing. Advanced skydivers will flare at just the right moment to achieve a perfect, almost vertical landing.
2.4 Rears
The term rears refers to the rear risers of the parachute, which are used for advanced maneuvering. Pulling on the rears gives the skydiver greater control over the canopy's direction, often resulting in sharper turns and even the ability to make steep, dramatic swoops.
Specialized Skydiving Disciplines
3.1 Formation Skydiving (FS)
Formation skydiving is one of the most visually stunning disciplines in the sport. It involves skydivers flying in close proximity to one another during freefall to create intricate patterns and formations. Advanced formation skydivers, also known as "jumpers" , must possess exceptional communication skills, timing, and body control to maintain their positions in the sky and complete their formation before the breakoff.
3.2 Relative Work (RW)
Relative Work refers to skydiving where jumpers maintain a relative position to each other, typically for the purpose of completing complex formations. The terms "dock" and "dockpoint" are commonly used in RW, referring to the moment when one skydiver attaches themselves to another by holding on to their body or equipment. These maneuvers are crucial in both 4‑way and 8‑way formation skydiving.
3.3 Wingsuit Flying
Wingsuit flying is the ultimate frontier for those looking to push the boundaries of skydiving. It involves wearing a specialized suit that allows skydivers to achieve a significant horizontal flight component, rather than simply falling straight down. This discipline requires a deep understanding of body aerodynamics, canopy control, and overall skydiving technique. Terms like "pitch," "roll," and "yaw" are used to describe the manipulation of the wingsuit in flight.
Skydiving Safety Terms
4.1 AAD (Automatic Activation Device)
The AAD is a critical piece of equipment in modern skydiving. It is designed to automatically deploy the reserve parachute if the skydiver has not manually deployed their main canopy by a certain altitude. The AAD is a safety feature that serves as a last resort in case the skydiver is incapacitated or unable to deploy their main chute.
4.2 Main and Reserve
The main parachute is the primary canopy used during a jump, while the reserve parachute is a backup that is deployed in case of an emergency. Skydivers often practice emergency procedures to ensure they can deploy the reserve parachute if necessary. Advanced jumpers may also carry multiple rigs and practice various emergency scenarios to improve response time.
4.3 Cutaway
A cutaway refers to the emergency procedure of releasing a malfunctioning main canopy to deploy the reserve parachute. Advanced skydivers may have to perform a cutaway in extreme situations where the main canopy is entangled, causing dangerous flight conditions.
4.4 Crosswind Landings
When wind is blowing perpendicular to the landing area, a crosswind landing can be particularly tricky. Advanced skydivers practice techniques to handle crosswind landings by adjusting their approach angle and flaring just right to ensure a safe landing in difficult wind conditions.
Gear and Equipment Jargon
5.1 Rig
The rig refers to the entire parachuting system, including the main parachute, reserve parachute, AAD, and harness. It is the most important piece of equipment in a skydiver's arsenal, and many advanced jumpers take great care in customizing their rigs to suit their style of jumping.
5.2 Cypres
The Cypres is a brand name of an AAD (Automatic Activation Device) that is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It automatically activates the reserve parachute if the skydiver is in freefall for too long without deploying their main canopy, offering a critical safety measure for experienced jumpers.
5.3 Slider
The slider is a fabric device that slows down the opening of the parachute by restricting the deployment speed. In advanced skydiving, the slider may be removed or adjusted to allow for faster or slower deployments, depending on the type of jump being performed.
Final Thoughts: Mastery in the Sky
Skydiving is a sport that combines athleticism, precision, and mental fortitude. As skydivers progress in their skills and knowledge, they acquire a unique and specialized vocabulary that allows them to communicate with other experts. From advanced techniques like swooping and tracking to the critical safety features like the AAD and cutaway system, every term reflects the depth of understanding and dedication required to excel in the sport.
For those looking to push their limits, the world of advanced skydiving offers endless opportunities for personal growth, mastery, and camaraderie. As technology continues to advance and skydiving evolves, so too will the terminology and techniques, further solidifying skydiving as a sport that constantly challenges the mind and body in ways few others can.
In the end, skydiving is more than just a sport---it's a way of life, and the insider language of the sky is the code that binds it all together.