At Skydive California, we recommend doing one tandem jump before going alone to get a feel for what's to come, and then it's off to solo! You will begin your solo 'category' jumps in our Accelerated Freefall program (AFF) after an exhaustive 4-6 hour class. During this class, you will learn all about safety procedures and practice them together with your instructor. You will also learn how to use the equipment that will be provided during your jump, such as helmets, parachutes, and altimeters. After completing the AFF class, you will be ready to go solo. We recommend jumping once or twice a month throughout the season (depending on weather conditions), so you don't want to rush things and start diving out of control out of fear. Most people are comfortable jumping from around 1000 feet, but if you're not sure whether you'll be able to handle higher dives, let us know when you book your trip and we can adjust your profile accordingly. Some people prefer to start their dive at an altitude below them, which is fine too! Overall, our experience shows that most people can handle tandems once they get into them, but if you are still nervous about diving out of control, don't worry about what other people are doing; just follow your instincts. Happy jumping!