Although many people will never understand the logic behind jumping out of a perfectly good airplane--even when equipped with the proper skydiving gear--there are plenty of enthusiastic folks who wholeheartedly believe it's an experience they don't want to miss. One thing everyone can agree on, however, is the importance of having the right skydiving equipment.

Because lives are on the line with every jump, skydiving equipment education and training is critical for anyone involved in this extreme sport. It's important to consider the following aspects of skydiving training:

1. Understand the most common skydiving equipment terms and definitions.

2. Evaluate new and used skydiving equipment with careful consideration.

3. Learn what you need to know about the care and maintenance of skydiving equipment and find out how to inspect the gear before each jump.

Action Steps
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Learn the types of skydiving equipment available and the purpose for each piece of gear

Although obviously the most important piece of skydiving equipment, skydiving parachutes are just the beginning. Some gear is mandatory, most is optional, but all combine to create a safe and exciting skydiving experience.

I recommend: For an outline of the most popular skydiving equipment, complete with terms and definitions, visit Skydiving-Granny. The United States Parachute Association also has an informative skydiving equipment overview, with a primary focus on the skydiving parachute.

Explore the ups and downs of buying skydiving equipment

Both new and used skydiving gear is readily available for anyone looking to buy skydiving equipment. It's important to get education on the various types of skydiving equipment for sale. You may want to find out some good questions to ask before you purchase skydive equipment.

I recommend: Dropzone.com offers reviews on all types of skydiving equipment, including altimeters, headgear, parachutes and videos. You can find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about buying skydiving equipment at Skydive San Francisco. See an index of skydiving gear suppliers and skydive equipment manufacturers, including a short description and link to contact information for each, at The Enclave and Parachuting.com.

Understand the importance of maintaining and regularly inspecting skydiving gear

Because of the nature of and possible dangers associated with skydiving, caring for, performing general maintenance and knowing what to look for when inspecting skydiving equipment is critical.

I recommend: You'll find an educational checklist-type article on how to maintain and care for your skydiving gear at GT Sport Parachute Club. Skydivingrocks.com covers the vital step of inspecting skydiving equipment before each jump.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Skydiving equipment suppliers are often your best source of information for the hows, whats and whys of skydiving equipment and typically are more than happy to share what they know.

Purchase skydive equipment for your sports shop and cash in on the love of extreme sports that's taken the country by storm. And when you offer skydiving equipment for sale, only buy skydiving equipment from reputable skydiving gear suppliers that have a history in the sport; you'll know the merchandise you're offering is high quality and safe for your customers.

Interview a variety of skydiving equipment suppliers and skydive equipment manufacturers to learn what each one offers and which fits best with your skydiving equipment business. Inspect the options in skydiving parachutes, helmets, jumpsuits and accessories so you can stock the newest and most desirable skydiving equipment in your shop.

1. Offer the best in skydiving parachutes.

2. Provide helmets as a part of your skydiving gear.

3. Remember the importance of the skydiving jumpsuit.

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Create interest with the latest and greatest in skydiving parachutes

Investigate the best quality and the newest styles and colors in skydiving parachutes. From full canopy to nine-cell parachutes, main parachute and reserve chutes, you've got to build an impressive inventory to create a buzz on this most important piece of skydiving equipment.

I recommend: Para Gear has a 48-year history in the skydiving equipment industry, making them a valuable asset when you're stocking parachutes as a part of your inventory. Gravity Gear offers several varieties of both main and reserve parachutes.

Build your skydiving equipment inventory with a variety of protective helmets

Protect your clients with headgear designed to keep them safe during the skydiving process. Investigate the helmets offered by your competition so you can stock more options to keep your customers from looking elsewhere.

I recommend: BadDog Services & Merchandise has a variety of skydiving gear like helmets. Their helmets include full-faced helmets, open-faced helmets and camera helmets so you can stock a variety for your clients. SkydiveStore.com can provide you with an array of soft or hard helmets for your business.

Create a jumpsuit area within your skydiving equipment business

Don't underestimate the importance of the skydiving jumpsuit, particularly to those who make frequent jumps. Give them sturdy clothing to protect them during the jump and keep them looking stylish at the same time. And keep a selection of catalogs on hand; if you don't have exactly what a client is looking for, you can still make the sale by ordering it for them.

I recommend: ZuteSute not only provides you with high quality options for your skydiving jumpsuit inventory but they also allow you to customize the designs on the jumpsuit so you can create a sideline business within your parachuting equipment business. Body Sport USA offers a selection of skydiving jumpsuits including double-zipper suits and a camera suit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase skydive equipment that's gently used in order to help those new to the sport try it out with less expense. Choose used equipment that's undergone inspection so you know you're providing safe gear to your customers at a price they can afford.

When most people think skydiving equipment, they first and foremost think "parachute." And although a parachute is unquestionably the most important piece of skydiving equipment, there are other objects and instruments that skydivers use to help ensure their safety when participating in the extreme sport of skydiving. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge of the sport for business or for pleasure, there is a handful of common skydiving terms you would be wise to learn.

Action Steps
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Parachute or canopy

Although you might think the definition of parachute is obvious, there are some variations in the world of skydiving that are good to know. Types of parachutes, also called canopies in skydiver talk, include main, reserve, square, round and elliptical.

I recommend: Get the lowdown on skydiving parachutes at the United States Parachute Association website.

Automatic activation device

An automatic activation device (AAD) is a small, self-contained computer that a skydiver wears to monitor the altitude during a jump. It is designed to activate either the main or reserve parachute at a certain altitude if the skydiver has neglected to open it himself.

I recommend: The article at Dropzone.com does a great job of explaining what an automatic activation device is and makes a compelling argument for equipping yourself with one for every jump.

Jumpsuit

Skydiving jumpsuits are optional and serve different purposes based on the type of skydiving being done. Special fabrics and designs can control descent speed and offer the skydiver more control during the freefall.

I recommend: Body Sport USA offers detailed explanations and pictures of a variety of jumpsuits used in skydiving.

Altimeter

An altimeter is a device skydivers wear to show altitude, or their height above the ground. They are typically worn either on the wrist like a watch or in front of the torso, and can be either digital or analog. There's also something called an audible altimeter, which is worn near the ears and has preset alarms to help with altitude awareness.

I recommend: Take a look at the details on how altimeters work, how to use them and how to choose the right one for your needs at The Altimeter Store.

Tandem

Tandem is a common type of skydiving jump where two skydivers-usually an instructor and a student-share one parachute system. The student has his or her own harness and is connected to the front of the instructor's harness. Tandem is a popular method for beginner or first-time skydivers because very little is required or expected of the student during the jump.

I recommend: An article at Skydiving Parachuting Guide offers an in-depth look at tandem skydiving jumps and the equipment required to complete them.

Reserve static line

A reserve static line (RSL) is a simple lanyard that connects one or both of the main parachute risers to the ripcord on the reserve parachute. If the main parachute malfunctions, the reserve ripcord is automatically pulled upon release, or breakaway, of the main parachute.

I recommend: Read the informative article and debate about using a reserve static line at Skydive Westpoint.

As extreme sports rise in popularity, sporting goods retailers should consider offering skydiving equipment to their customers. When selling skydiving gear there are many things to learn in order to be able to offer advice to your customers. It will help you to know detailed information about different equipment and brands, as well as some basic skydiving terminology.

Familiarize yourself with all things skydiving, especially skydiving equipment. Become a wealth of information for your customers by learning about skydiving equipment for beginners with the following steps:

1. Review skydiving equipment so you stock up on the best.
2. Educate yourself to be able to answer your customer’s questions about skydiving gear.
3. Buy skydiving equipment from reputable skydiving manufacturers.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read skydiving equipment reviews to help you stock your shelves

To be able to sell skydiving equipment in your store, it is important that you review the do's and don't's of purchasing skydiving equipment. Look for websites that can give you reviews of skydiving equipment and make recommendations about the best equipment to offer your customers.

I recommend: To get reviews of all types of skydiving equipment, visit Dropzone.com. For information about what you should recommend to your customers for their skydiving equipment needs, check out Skydive San Francisco.

Become a skydiving gear expert

When you decide to start selling skydiving gear, make sure you become an expert on the gear you are selling. Skydiving gear is not an easy sale; your customers will have a lot of questions, so you need to be prepared with the right answers. Learn the details about a skydiving parachute and a skydiving jumpsuit, along with other skydiving equipment and their purposes.

I recommend: The United States Parachute Association has an abundance of information about skydiving parachutes and other equipment; it also has an in-depth glossary defining everything associated with skydiving for your reference. Learn more about skydiving equipment at Skydive Asia. It offers a complete glossary of skydiving equipment terms, including harness, rig and more, while Skydiving-Granny provides detailed descriptions of the equipment skydivers will need.

Purchase skydiving equipment from skydiving gear suppliers

To sell skydiving equipment, look for a skydiving equipment manufacturer that can meet all of your store's needs. In other words, they can provide you with all the equipment you need at once, rather than requiring you to search for different skydiving equipment from different sources.

I recommend: Visit Equipment.net for a detailed list of skydiving equipment suppliers. Aerodyne Research is a skydiving equipment supplier that is a one-stop shop.