---
title: Safety First!
description: Without a doubt, the most important consideration we as skydivers have is the safety of ourselves and our fellow jumpers.
---

[Skydive Blog | Chicagoland Skydiving Center ](https://www.skydivecsc.com/blog)

# [Safety First!](https://www.skydivecsc.com/blog/safety-first)

 Written by [Doug](https://www.skydivecsc.com/blog/author/douglas-smith) | Aug 12, 2022 1:30:00 PM

Without a doubt, the most important consideration we, as skydivers, have is the safety of  
ourselves and our fellow jumpers. Most experienced jumpers are well versed in ensuring that  
they maintain their own equipment and environment in a safe manner, but just as important is  
helping ensure that you, as a licensed jumper, do the same for your friends and fellow skydivers.

- Gear checks are second nature for experienced skydivers. Just as important as checking  
  your own equipment is giving a gear check or pin check to your fellow jumpers, as well  
  as keeping an eye on jumpers sharing your load. It isn’t all that uncommon to spot  
  something out of the ordinary on someone else’s gear and pointing out anything that  
  looks incorrect is always the right thing to do.
- Dirt dives are an incredibly important part of planning any skydive, even if there is no  
  plan. Knowing how you’ll exit the aircraft, as well as planning for any eventualities  
  during the skydive will help to ensure a safe jump. Pre-planning break off altitudes and  
  even discussing current weather conditions and landing patterns help to avoid off  
  landings and dangerous flying patterns.
- Staying vigilant on your flight to altitude is an incredibly important part of overall safety.  
  You as the jumper have a view of the aircraft and its surroundings that your pilot does  
  not, giving you the ability to avoid potentially dangerous situations well before they  
  escalate. As a jumper, you are also able to ensure you and your fellow jumpers are  
  properly belted in, along with your equipment.
- Altitude awareness and situational awareness are paramount. From exiting behind the  
  previous group at the proper time and having a general idea of their location while in  
  freefall, to keeping an eye on your group both in freefall and under canopy, it is very  
  important to know your environment.
- Always remember, an off landing is better than flying into a traffic pattern unaware.  
  Know your pattern before you jump, keep a sharp eye out for other canopies, be ready  
  for any eventuality and know where all your outs are during each phase of your canopy  
  ride.
- Once your jump is done, safety considerations don’t stop. As you leave the landing area  
  its always important to be aware of landing canopies as they have limited options on  
  short final, so keep your head on a swivel.

These, and many other safety habits adopted not only for yourself but for all your fellow  
jumpers will greatly increase our overall safety and ensure that we all have years more  
incredible fun with our sky family.

[View full post](https://www.skydivecsc.com/blog/safety-first)

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