The sport
was further refined throughout the 1800s, and many militaries adopted it in the
1900s.In the military, skydiving was originally intended to be a backup safety
mechanism for airmen. If a plane became disabled during flight, the pilot could
deploy a parachute to save his life. Intrepid pilots began to skydive
recreationally as well, and in many countries, further applications were
considered. Many modern militaries use skydiving for troop deployment, for
example. Wildfire fighters also skydive to reach remote sites, so that they can
be on the ground quickly.
The potential of skydiving as a recreational sport was also
quickly realized. Both women and men participated in the development and
refinement of it as a sport, and continue to do so. Sport skydiving is
characterized by performing with a sense of flair as well as safety. These
people also perform stunts in films and for product promotions. Group skydiving
is also often performed as a sport, as is wingsuit flying, a variation that
uses a specially designed flight
suitto more closely mimic the sense of flying.
Several
safety measures are taken to make skydiving as safe as possible. Skydivers
regularly check their gear to ensure that it is in good shape, and most
skydivers carry a backup parachute. In some cases, the backup will deploy
automatically if a skydiver reaches a certain altitude. Both primary and backup
parachutes are controlled with steering lines, allowing the skydiver to control
his or her descent. Internationally, several organizations promote safe
skydiving, offering classes and certifications in the sport.
For
people who want to experience skydiving for themselves, numerous companies
around the world offer opportunities. In general, people take tandem jumps
their first few times out, so that they can learn the basics before taking over
on their own. Good training also involves ground schooling as well, to make
sure that the skydiver is safe, secure, and ready for a solo. Some companies
also offer standalone skydiving experiences for people who just want to try it
out.
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