For both streams of beginners, further progression looks about the same. After all that you can call yourself a self-supervised skydiver. Not that skydiving should ever be looked at as a casual adventure. Over the last five years an average of 30 people have died in the U.S. participating in this sport, and there have been countless more injuries. Most of the problems arise in the form of twisted ankles or broken legs, but anytime man tries to fly there is always a chance you could end up like Icarus.
Modern divers jump with two meticulously packed chutes strapped to their back.
Many now swear by the newer rectangular model chutes which are safer, more agile and easier to steer. Few organizations outside of the military still drop with the classic circle chutes, which are mostly used as the back-up system these days. Beginners typically jump with radios and are guided in by experienced ground crew that tell them when to turn and how much. And the danger isn t just in the air. Many jumpers have landed safely only to find a brisk wind filling their chutes and dragging them across country, into buildings and corn fields.