Ford: Switch it up

Switch It Up is a YouTube series that has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and envision something that I’ve always wanted to do. While most of us have experienced flying on an airplane, taking aerial photos from the safety of the plane’s window and shooting through the clouds at high speeds, I’ve always wanted to skydive. Freefalling through the clouds and focusing on the Earth’s surface is definitely out of my comfort zone, but jumping out of a plane and flying free as a bird would be the ultimate adrenaline rush for me. High-altitude skydiving is defined as jumping out of an airplane at 13,000 ft. and freefalling for up to a minute before deploying the parachute and floating safely to a landing. During freefall, the speed and direction can be determined by body formation. When the parachute opens at about 3500 feet, direction and speed can be manipulated with toggles on the chute. Although the experience is called “freefalling”, wind resistance causes the sensation of floating rather than falling.

My first skydive would be with an instructor, as a tandem skydive.  Here, I would get the experience of jumping out of the airplane and learning to safely deploy the parachute while connected to an experienced professional. And, although it seems dangerous, fatalities are rare.  Most injuries are caused by parachute malfunctions and hard landings.

 As in any sport, there are styles and techniques to master, stunts to perform and records to break.  The oldest skydiver on record was 101.  The highest jump was just last year at 136,000 feet. 

Skydiving is definitely on my bucket list, as I don’t think there’s anything else in this world like it. Thanks to the Switch It Up challenge, I’m compelled to contact a local skydiving center ASAP. Check out the Youtube series and see who else is trying something new! 

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Ford, but all opinions are my own, that would be more along the lines of FTC appropriate disclosure.