How to talk like a sky diver

Sky divers speak a language of their own. Here's a primer to help you understand

By Pamela LeBlanc | Photos by Brian K. Diggs
March 24, 2005

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First-time jumper Alyssa Darby, top left, of Abilene, jumps in tandem with instructor Aaron Erickson. In tandem jumping, the more experienced sky diver has the parachute.

• Altimeter. Device, usually worn on wrist or torso, that measures altitude. Audible altimeters with preset alarms are worn near the ear to aid in altitude awareness.

• Closing pin. Small metal comma-shaped pin that keeps the parachute closed.

• Dirt diving. Practicing sky-diving formations on small wheeled carts on the ground.

• Drop zone. The facility that operates the sky-diving operation.

• Free fall. The first minute or so of a sky dive, before the parachute opens.

• Head down. Style of sky diving in which jumper free falls head first, reaching speeds up to 200 mph.

• Hop 'n' Pop. A sky dive made at low altitude (3,000 feet versus 13,000 feet). The jumper doesn't free fall, but instead clears the plane and pulls the chute open.

• Rig. The reserve and main chute, which are packed in a container strapped to the back.

• Skyboard. Lightweight board similar to snowboard, equipped with quick-release foot bindings and sometimes a recovery parachute.

• Sky surfing. Sport of performing maneuvers or stunts during free fall while riding on a skyboard.

• Tandem. A sky dive in which one person is harnessed to a more experienced jumper, who is wearing a parachute.