What if I'm afraid of heights? This is probably the most commonly asked question. A fear of heights can often be confused with a natural and healthy respect for the inherent dangers of high places. This respect is necessary and essential to survival! Back to Top How do I get to the airfield? Our airfield is located in the Mon Loisir Sugar Estate in Riviere du Rempart. You can go there by taxi or rent yourself a scooter for about 500 Rs per day. If you like to explore Mauritius with a rented car anyway, we recommend that you visit the website of Maki Car Rental www.maki-car-rental.com, who offer some great deals. They also have a special offer for a transfer: For just 1300 Rs (2000 Rs in the south of the island), a driver will pick you up at your hotel, bring you to our airfield, wait till you are done with your skydive(s) and then drive you back. If you want to book this offer, just contact them via their contact form. Back to Top Can you breathe in freefall? Yes! The freefall segment of the jump is about 30-45 second duration. During that time our freefall speed is about 200 kph, so it will feel fairly breezy! If you let out a scream upon leaving the aircraft ("Geronimo!" or something similar) then that will release a lot of the tension you might have been feeling, and subsequently allow you to breathe freely. Back to Top I suffer from asthma. Will it be a problem? Asthma is a fairly common condition and is not generally affected by parachuting. However it is advisable that you seek your doctor's approval if you are in any doubt. The SkyDive Austral (SDA) Tandem Student Declaration of Fitness Form gives more information on this, and all medical issues concerning parachuting. For further information on skydiving and asthma see the British Parachute Association Asthma Advice Document. Back to Top Can I skydive if I am disabled? Disability is not necessarily a barrier. Tandem skydiving has made it possible for many people to participate, who would otherwise be unsuitable for solo parachute training. It is worth noting that the final responsibility, and therefore the final decision as to a person's suitability, rests with the Tandem Instructor. There are aircraft restrictions, meaning the type of aircraft and the ease of getting out of it. Back to Top Is there an age limit for skydiving? The lower age limit for Tandem skydiving is 18, for under age passengers a letter of consent is required from Parents/Gaurdians. It is worth noting that the final responsibility, and therefore the final decision as to a person's suitability, rests with the Tandem Instructor as to wether the passenger fits the harness. There is no upper age limit for Tandem skydiving. The final decision as to a person's suitability, rests with the Tandem Instructor. Back to Top Will I need insurance? Registration at the airfield for your jump will automatically cover you for the mandatory Third Party Legal Liability Insurance. If you require more comprehensive Personal Accident insurance cover, you will need to arrange this yourself beforehand. Back to Top Do I need to buy any special clothing for my jump? All specialist equipment and clothing will be provided i.e. Jumpsuit and goggles. It is normally warm but if you are prone to the cold then bring a sweater. On very hot days you have the option of jumping in shorts and T-shirt but we will not be responsible for grass stains or damage to your clothes. You should also wear or bring with you, suitable footwear. Training shoes or similar are ideal. Back to Top I wear spectacles / contact lenses. Will this be a problem? No. Goggles to fit over spectacles will be provided, and these will securely retain your spectacles in place. Goggles will also protect contact lenses and prevent them from being displaced. Back to Top What if I pass out? This would be very unlikely! However, we would always recommend having a bite to eat shortly before your jump to maintain your blood sugar level. You can be sure that your instructor will have had a hearty breakfast! Back to Top What would happen if my instructor passed out? This is highly unlikely, but in the event, the parachute equipment is fitted with an automatic activation device, known by the acronym CYPRES. This stands for Cybernetic Parachute Release System, and this device would activate the reserve parachute at 2000 feet. Back to Top What would happen if the parachute didn't open? Modern parachute equipment is very reliable and instances of malfunctions are rare. However, in the unlikely event of the main parachute developing a fault, the system is fitted with a back-up or reserve parachute. This would be activated by your instructor, who is entirely responsible for all aspects of your jump. Relax and enjoy! Back to Top What if the weather is bad on the day of my jump? All aviation activity is dependent on suitable weather conditions Parachuting is no exception. Weather is notoriously difficult to forecast, especially more than 24 hours in advance. The normal procedure would be to phone on the day of your booked date so that we can discuss the weather prospects. If necessary, we would reschedule your jump. Normally we have amazing weather. Back to Top What if I feel too nervous to jump on the day? Quite naturally, you will feel apprehensive before you arrive at the airfield. You will soon be put at ease however, and your confidence will grow as you are taken through the pre-jump briefing. By the time you board the aircraft, you will feel ready! Many people comment on how calm and relaxed they feel! The flight itself is about 20 to 30 minutes duration and the views on a clear day are magnificent. Even better from outside the aircraft! Back to Top Can I continue my training and become a solo skydiver? A Tandem skydive is, in my opinion, the very best way of experiencing what the sport of freefall parachuting is all about. If you have been inspired to continue jumping after your Tandem skydive, then a couple of options are available to you. Back to Top PFF Progressive free fall is being instructed in “Tandem” so there is no stress if you do not execute your tasks perfectly. There are five levels to progress through that need to be executed to the satisfaction of your Tandem Instructor before you go “Solo” these steps are Altitude Awareness - Deployment of Main Parachute - Controlled Turns in Free Fall - Unstable Exit - Canopy Control and Landings. This can take as little as 6 jumps and as many as 15 or more. Expect to pay from €1320 excluding DVD and VAT PFF is a fantastic fun and stress free way of reaching SOLO status which is the ultimate skydiving experience which leads to a world of untold and amazing skydiving disciplines. Back to Top AFF AFF stands for Accelerated FreeFall. This training method is the "fast track" way of qualifying to intermediate status. Initial training again takes place over one full day. The big difference is that your first and subsequent jumps are freefall descents from 12000 feet. You would be accompanied by 2 instructors responsible for all safety aspects of the jump and to give you in-air instruction. There are 8 levels to progress through, with a minimum of one jump at each level. Every level is preceded by intensive ground training before the jump. Obviously this style of individual and personalised training does not come cheaply. Expect to pay around €1600 for the complete package of 8 levels. In addition to this cost, you would need to pay for any rejumps required to pass each level. Back to Top