For almost as long as skydiving has been a thing, man’s best friend has been a part of our sport. For many skydivers, their first interaction at the dropzone was with someone's happy fur baby! They are incredible mascots and bonfire companions and practically run the show in some spots! Yet, for all their charm, our furry friends can also pose problems on the field. Just as with jumping, there’s an etiquette that needs to be observed when Fido comes out to play, so let’s take a quick look at the CSC dos and don’ts when it comes to pets.

So we all know what we need to do before we start a great day of jumping. We also know what we need to do before each skydive. We’ve learned through experience that the easiest way to avoid an emergency in the air is to spot the problem on the ground. Gear check. Gear check. Gear check.

For those of you asking, “What is an A-license?” It's the first requirement after you’ve decided to learn how to jump solo. It’s your entry into skydiving after you’ve decided to turn it into a hobby. After all of the training and hard work to become a “licensed jumper,” it’s a membership made official by a license that is issued through the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and you can officially skydive around the world.

So yeah… Skydiving isn’t exactly a cheap sport to get into. If the idea of joining our amazing community is something you’re considering, we’d be doing you a massive disservice if we didn’t say that up front. It can certainly feel like a whole lot of coin to pony up, but there is much to consider when you’re eyeing that price tag.

It’s April finally! It’s been nearly six months since your last skydive. How do you make sure you’re current and ready to go?  No matter what license you hold, whether it’s an A or a D, you should always enter the new season with caution. Skills get rusty after a layoff, even if you’re extremely experienced.

Getting re-current can sometimes feel like a chore we must complete before having fun with our friends again, but it’s much more than that. Practicing emergency procedures and receiving proper ground training is extremely important, and you should be able to clearly identify any malfunction or situation you may experience prior to jumping.