Skydiving Statistics

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) has shown that in 2015, the number of fatalities per 1,000 jumps is at its lowest rate yet, with just 0.006 fatalities. This is a testament to the great leaps in technology and processes that have been made in terms of skydiving, as there were as many as half in the 1970s.

Skydiving is inherently associated with risks. After jumping out of an airplane, you are exposed to various risks. There will always be a certain level of risk involved, similar to activities like crossing the road or driving a car on a daily basis. In any sport or activity, there is always a certain degree of risk involved.

Every year, skydiving continues to allure numerous fresh participants, and to understand why they compare and analyze skydiving safety statistics, let’s examine. Let’s explore the secure aspects, as well as the measures we implement to ensure our safety, including the advanced equipment and training procedures we utilize. This ongoing commitment to mitigating risks makes skydiving a safer activity for the skydiving community.

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Skydiving Safety: deaths and accidents

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the advisory body for the sport of skydiving in the USA, providing regulations and guidelines for the majority to choose, but it is not required for the majority of USPA members to choose skydiving centers.

uspa united states parachute association logo

There are over 35,000 individuals who are part of the USPA, which consists of tandem skydivers, experts, and recreational enthusiasts, across 230 associated skydiving centers. The USPA maintains a record of the fatalities and injuries that occur within its membership.

In 1961, the initial documented instances of skydiving deaths indicated an average of 3.65 fatalities per 1,000 skydives. By 2015, this figure has diminished significantly to only 0.006 fatalities per thousand, owing to the passage of time and technological advancements.

While they decrease their velocity, or even stumbling, it’s as effortless as an individual landing on an ankle in slightly the incorrect manner. On occasion, this occurs when individuals attempt something more advanced than their present abilities permit. Occasionally, things don’t go entirely according to plan, which is to be anticipated. Prior to releasing our parachutes and descending to the ground, we’re leaping from an aircraft and descending at speeds of approximately 120mph through the atmosphere. However, injuries are more frequent than fatalities in skydiving, although still significantly less prevalent than one might assume.

In 2015, there were 1,920 incidents necessitating medical attention out of 3.5 million skydives, as reported by the USPA safety records, resulting in an average of one injury per 1,806 jumps.

Statistics on Skydiving Safety: How do they Compare?

Hopefully, you will agree here that skydiving is unfairly perceived as a risky sport, given the safety statistics laid out.

According to the National Safety Council, there are numerous alternative activities you could engage in that are statistically much safer, to be precise.

  • Motor vehicle collision statistics.
  • The probability of a fatality in a car accident is 1 in 114.

  • Risks associated with choking on your food.
  • Be cautious if you’re consuming food while perusing this! Your likelihood of asphyxiating on that delectable morsel is 1 in 3,461.

  • Statistics on Bicycle Accidents.
  • In one incident related to bicycles, 4,486 people died. Bicycles are not the only form of transport, but they are much more environmentally friendly and pose less risk.

  • Stats on Hornets, Wasps, and Bees.
  • One hornet, wasp, or bee has the potential to result in fatality for every 63,225 individuals. These insects play a crucial role in pollinating our plants and preserving the delightful aesthetics and fragrance of our environment.

  • Statistics on dog bites/attacks.
  • Man’s best friend isn’t always so friendly. The chances of being killed by a dog bite or attack are 1 in 112,400.

  • Statistics on lightning strikes.
  • The chances of being struck by lightning are 1 in 161,856. In fact, winning the lottery is more likely than experiencing a lightning strike because it is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

  • Skydiving Statistics.
  • A car collision, suffocation, bicycle mishap, bee sting, dog attack, or lightning strike is more probable to result in death compared to skydiving, with a frequency of 1 death in every 167,000 jumps or 0.006 fatalities per 1,000 skydives.

    The Enhancement of Skydiving Safety

    Safety will always be hugely important for skydivers to consider. We refuse to rest on our laurels and will continue to improve our safety records, even as we strive for improvement.

    From the inception of skydiving, there have been significant advancements in technology, gear, instruction, and procedures.

    In the 1970s, Bill Booth introduced the innovative ‘3 ring release system’, designed to release a malfunctioning parachute. The occurrence of the primary parachute failing to deploy accurately ensures the presence of a backup – a reserve parachute that modern skydivers always carry, resulting in a total of two parachutes.

    The AAD (automatic activation device) will identify our velocity and activate the backup parachute on the off chance that we are incapable of deploying our own parachute. It is located within our parachute container and tracks our descent rate and elevation.

    skydiving aad cypres

    The USPA promotes the safety of skydivers by attending to their safety on a yearly basis. Our own equipment helps us keep track of improvements and ensures that we stay up to date with safety considerations. This technology not only makes us safer, but also enhances our knowledge of safety.

    Today, reserve your tandem skydive; don’t allow your anxieties hinder you. Reach out to a team member for any inquiries or embark on an extraordinary skydiving adventure.