Find a reputable Drop Zone

Well, now that it has made up his mind that you want to do this, you can not rent a parachute from the costume shop on the main street and take a leap outside his cousin's Cessna! Not only would be illegal could be an unhealthy way to enter the sport!

Where can I go? There are few ways you can find the nearest you DZ:

• Dropzone Database - The Dropzone.com Dropzone Database lists more than 700 DZs around the world. Organized by region, country and state can browse and search the database to find a DZ near you. There are a lot of information in our pages and in most cases you can jump directly to the website of DZ for more information. You can also read comments from other members who have jumped Dropzone.com here today. It is a great resource!
• USPA - If you're in the USA, call the United States in parachute Asociados 540.604.9740 or visit their website to get the name of an affiliate drop zone in their area.Dropzone.com
• Forums - Dropzone.com has over 32000 members and over 1.2 million messages in the forums be sure you know someone. Register for a free account Dropzone.com and ask about DZs in your area in the forums Dropzone.com.
• Google! -- Yes, as you know you can find almost anything on Google. Use your city or region name and "parachute" or "skydive" as keywords and see what it spits.
• Yellow Pages - Look in the Yellow Pages online at your local telephone directory. You are bound to find something ceters parachuting in "parachute" or "parachuting".
• Ask around - You probably have some friends who have done so. Are they still alive? If so, then go to the same place where they did, thus, can rest assured their safety. ;-)
• Clubs skydiving - If you're in college, most universities have clubs skydiving. This provides a cheaper and easier way to get in sport. In addition, nothing brings people together better than absolute terror. You can even make some friends.

How can I tell a good drop zone of the poor?
Most dropzones that provide regular student training will be owned and operated for official parachuting and regulating body in his country. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the representative body for the sport parachutes in the U.S., and a member of the FAI (the international equivalent). Representative and regulatory agencies like the USPA usually develop and oversee security training and doctrine for the sport. In some cases, also provide liability insurance for students and DZs in the case of property damage. Ask about their affiliation and benefits when official contact with a DZ.

In the U.S. The USPA has instituted programs of qualification for coaches, trainers, and Instructor of Examiners to ensure that only properly trained and qualified personnel working with students. In the U.S. we must insist on USPA instructors and coaches. If you're outside the U.S., do not hesitate to ask about the qualification programs for instructors in their country and the qualifications of people who will be working.

Do not be afraid to ask to see your instructor or trainer card rating. We must show proper qualification and expiration date. Also note that at present, most Tandem instructors are certified by the manufacturer of equipment and USPA.

USPA membership is not necessary and does not guarantee a DZ to be a "good" DZ, and no affiliation does not mean that the DZ is "bad". However, the USPA, thanks to their diligence and caution, has compiled an excellent safety record over the years.

Use the Internet to do some research of their own. Reading the comments DZ Dropzone in the database is a good idea. Remember to always take everything online (good and bad), with a pinch of salt. If possible, one of the smartest things to do is visit the DZ before making his leap. Ask if you can sit in a fjc. Hang around, talk to some people and pick up people.