Skydiving equipment list with all 17 items: the parachute system with main, reserve and container, jumpsuit, helmet, altimeter and goggles.
Seven items go on the jumper: the parachute system with main canopy, reserve and container, then jumpsuit, helmet, altimeter, goggles, gloves and a hook knife. Four belong to instructors, including video cameras, wind blades, landing mats and safety manuals, and six describe the drop zone, from the aircraft and packing hangar to briefing rooms, the landing area and gear inspection.
After gearing up, find out more about the history of skydiving.
- What equipment do you need for skydiving?
- A container holding a main canopy and a reserve, plus a jumpsuit, helmet, altimeter and goggles. A hook knife and gloves round it out, and the aircraft and the landing area belong to the drop zone.
- What is the most important equipment in skydiving?
- The rig, meaning the container with the main canopy and the reserve. Everything else makes a jump more comfortable or easier to judge, but only the canopy brings the jumper down.
- What is the safety equipment in skydiving?
- The reserve canopy, the automatic activation device that fires it if nobody else does, the altimeter that says when to pull, the helmet and the hook knife for a line entanglement.
- What does a beginner need to buy?
- Almost nothing. Students jump rented rigs and borrowed helmets, and goggles are usually the first item anyone actually owns.
- Where is skydiving gear sold?
- Rigs, canopies, containers and jumpsuits come from riggers and specialist lofts, not from general retailers, because each one is fitted and inspected for the jumper.
Skydiving Equipment at a Glance
Seven items belong to the jumper, four to the instructor and six to the drop zone. Most of the first block is rented on the way in until a jumper has enough jumps to buy a rig.
| Item | What it does | Who supplies it |
|---|---|---|
| Parachute systemmain, reserve, container | The main canopy for the descent, a reserve behind it and the harness that holds both | Player |
| Jumpsuit | Sets the drag of the body in freefall and protects against wind and cold | Player |
| Helmet | Guards against contact in the aircraft, in the exit and on landing | Player |
| Altimeterwrist or audible | Shows the height left, which is what decides when to pull | Player |
| Goggles | Keep the eyes open and clear at terminal velocity | Player |
| Glovesweather dependent | Keep the hands warm enough to find and pull a handle | Player |
| Hook knife | Cuts a line that has wrapped around the jumper or the gear | Player |
| Video cameras | Record the jump for debriefing, and for the tandem customer | Coach |
| Drop zone equipmentwind blades, landing mats | Show the wind on the ground and mark a soft target to aim at | Coach |
| First aid kit | Hard landings and sprained ankles get treated on the field | Coach |
| Training manuals and safety guides | The written procedures a student is taught and tested against | Coach |
| Aircraft | Carries the load to altitude, fitted out for jumpers rather than passengers | Facility |
| Hangar | Storage and a clean floor long enough to lay out and pack a canopy | Facility |
| Briefing rooms | Where the jump plan, the exit order and the emergency drills are gone through | Facility |
| Landing area | Open ground clear of obstacles, sized for the wind on the day | Facility |
| Equipment rental and sales area | Rents rigs to students and sells gear to jumpers who are ready to own one | Facility |
| Maintenance area | Where a rigger inspects, repairs and repacks reserves on schedule | Facility |
Skydiving Equipment for Jumpers
#1 Parachute System
The parachute system is pivotal for safe skydiving, comprising a main parachute for the primary descent, a reserve in case of main malfunction, and a container that secures these canopies to the jumper. It's the foundation for enabling controlled flight to the ground.
#2 Jumpsuit
Jumpers wear a jumpsuit to protect against the elements and ensure freedom of movement during freefall. The suits are designed to withstand high speeds, reduce wind resistance, and can be tailored to the flyer's body for precision jumping.
#3 Helmet
A helmet provides essential head protection during skydiving, shielding against aerial collision and impact during landing. It's a critical safety device for skydivers at all experience levels.
#4 Altimeter
An altimeter, wrist-mounted or audible, is crucial for monitoring altitude during a dive, allowing jumpers to know when to deploy their parachute. This device is fundamental for timing and safety in skydiving operations.
#5 Goggles
Goggles protect the eyes from wind, debris, and the extreme cold at high altitudes. Clear vision is necessary for jumpers to navigate and control their descent, making goggles an essential piece of equipment.
Birdz Wing Goggles
Single lens, anti-fog
- Lensone piece shatterproof polycarbonate
- Coatinganti-fog, 100 percent UVA and UVB
- Shapewide aerodynamic single lens for peripheral vision
- Paddingneoprene foam
- Strapadjustable
- Also used forhang gliding, parasailing, parachuting
#6 Gloves (Optional)
Gloves are optional equipment used to protect hands from cold temperatures and aid in gripping during jumps, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
#7 Hook Knife
A hook knife is a small, cutting tool carried to deal with entanglements or malfunctions in the parachute lines. It's a safety measure enabling quick response in critical situations.
haihong Hook Safety Knife
With pocket sheath
- Typehook knife, recessed blade
- Includedpocket sheath
- Used inskydiving, paragliding and kitesurfing
- Colorred and black
Equipment for Instructors and Skydiving Teams
#1 Video Cameras
Video cameras are often used by instructors and teams to record jumps which are invaluable for training, debriefing, and improving techniques. They also serve as a way to capture memories and analyse performance.
GoPro Hero12 Black
5.3K60, helmet mountable
- Video5.3K at 60 frames per second
- Photo27 megapixels
- StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0
- Sensor1/1.9 inch
- Waterproof33 feet
- Batteryup to 70 minutes at 5.3K60
- IncludedEnduro battery, curved adhesive mount, buckle and thumb screw
#2 Drop Zone Specific Equipment
Equipment such as wind blades are vital for gauging wind conditions and landing mats provide a targeted, soft landing area, enhancing safety and training effectiveness for skydiving teams.
#3 First Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is essential safety equipment for addressing minor injuries or stabilizing conditions until professional medical help can be obtained, crucial for skydiving where swift response to accidents can be lifesaving.
#4 Training Manuals and Safety Guides
These materials are indispensable for skydiving instructors and teams, providing guidelines, safety procedures, and training protocols to ensure that all jumps are conducted with the highest safety standards in mind.
Skydivers Information Manual 2025
USPA reference, 2025 edition
- Contentthe recommendations, license requirements and safety procedures a student is taught
- Edition2025
- Formatpaperback
- Read bystudents, instructors and drop zone staff
Equipment for Skydiving Facilities
#1 Aircraft
Aircraft specifically outfitted for skydiving is used to transport jumpers to altitude. They are the essential starting point for the skydiving experience, equipped to handle the specialized needs of jumpers.
#2 Hangar
The hangar serves as a central location for equipment storage and packing areas, ensuring that gear is kept in optimal condition and ready for use.
#3 Briefing Rooms
Before embarking on a jump, skydivers gather in briefing rooms for pre-jump instruction, discussing jump plans, safety protocols, and last-minute details crucial for a successful skydive.
#4 Landing Area
Designated landing areas are specially prepared for safe skydiver descents, accounting for wind conditions and avoiding obstacles, and are fundamental for a controlled and secure landing.
#5 Equipment Rental and Sales Area
These areas provide jumpers with access to rental gear and the opportunity to purchase their own, making skydiving accessible for beginners and experienced jumpers alike.
#6 Maintenance Area
A maintenance area is dedicated to the inspection, repair, and upkeep of skydiving gear, ensuring that all equipment meets safety standards and is in prime condition for jumps.
FAQ
What is the equipment you need to play Skydiving?
A parachute and reserve, altimeter, goggles, and jumpsuit are the equipment you need to play Skydiving. These items ensure a safe and controlled skydiving experience.
What is the most important equipment in Skydiving?
The parachute and reserve system are the most important equipment in Skydiving, as they are critical for the safe descent and landing of the skydiver.
What is a recommended list of Skydiving equipment for beginners?
Here's a recommended list of Skydiving equipment for beginners: a well-fitted jumpsuit, reliable altimeter, sturdy helmet, comfortable goggles, and a container system with main and reserve parachutes. These items provide the basics for safety and learning to skydive.
