Never been skydiving before? Totally normal to have questions before your first jump. Here are some of the questions we get asked most often, so you know exactly what to expect.

But first… what exactly is a tandem skydive?

Simply put, it means jumping from an aircraft securely harnessed to a professional skydiving instructor who takes care of the technical side of the jump while you enjoy the experience.

Is tandem skydiving safe?

Yes. Tandem skydiving was specifically designed for people with no previous skydiving experience. You will be securely harnessed to a professional instructor who takes care of the technical aspects of the jump.

Before getting on the aircraft, you will receive a short briefing explaining what you need to do and what to expect. Once you’re in the air, your instructor handles the jump. Your job is simply to follow their instructions, take it all in and enjoy the ride.

Remember that you are jumping with two parachutes. That always makes people feel more safe

Do I need any previous experience?

Not at all.

You don’t need to have skydived before or know anything about the sport.

A tandem skydive is the easiest way to experience skydiving for the first time. Your instructor takes care of almost everything, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

What if I’m afraid of heights?

This is probably one of the questions we hear most often.

There is an important difference between being 4,000 metres above the ground in an aircraft and standing on the edge of a building or cliff. When you’re that high up, you’re so far from the ground that your eyes can’t really process the true height.

During freefall, you also don’t have a nearby fixed reference point for your brain to use in the same way.

Feeling nervous before your first jump is completely normal. In fact, many people arrive convinced they’re going to be terrified and end up being surprised by just how much they enjoy it.

Where is Saltamos located?

Saltamos is just 45 minutes from Barcelona, making us the closest skydiving centre to the city.

You can get here by car, by taking the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya, or the R4 from Plaça Catalunya. You can find all the transport options and detailed directions here:

https://saltamos.es/como-llegar

Or simply search for Saltamos Village on Google Maps and you’ll find us.

What does freefall feel like?

Freefall is the most intense part of the jump. The really fun part for most people .

For around 60 seconds, you’ll be flying through the air at approximately 200 km/

h. The first few seconds can feel intense, but you quickly get used to the sensation and start taking in the views.

Then the parachute opens and everything changes.

The pace slows down completely, giving you time to relax, enjoy the views and fly beneath the parachute with your instructor.

How long does freefall last?

Freefall lasts around 60 seconds when jumping from 4,000 metres.

But remember, a tandem skydive is much more than those 60 seconds.

The full experience starts when you arrive at the dropzone and includes your preparation, the flight to altitude, freefall, the parachute ride and landing. And once you’re back on the ground, you can finish the experience with a cold drink at our bar.

How high do you jump from?

Our tandem jumps take place from approximately 13,000 feet, or 4,000 metres.

From up there, you’ll have incredible views over Montserrat and the Bages region of Catalonia before heading into freefall.

How fast do you fall?

During freefall, you’ll reach approximately 200 km/h.

The exact speed can vary depending on factors such as the combined weight of the instructor and passenger and the clothing being worn.

You don’t need to worry about controlling your speed or doing anything technical. Your instructor takes care of the jump and tells you exactly what to do.

Your only job is to enjoy it.

Do I need to know how to do anything before I jump?

No previous skydiving knowledge is required.

Before your jump, you’ll receive a short briefing where we explain the simple positions and movements you’ll need to make.

Your instructor will be with you throughout the entire experience, so once you’re in the air, just follow their instructions and enjoy the moment.

Can I breathe during freefall?

Yes!

You can breathe normally during freefall.

The wind can feel intense, especially during the first few seconds, but breathing is not a problem.

What should I wear?

Come wearing comfortable, sporty clothes that allow you to move freely.

If you prefer, we can also provide you with a jumpsuit to wear over your clothes.

Comfortable CLOSED shoes are essential.

You don’t need to bring any special skydiving equipment. We provide everything you need for the jump.

Can I wear glasses or contact lenses?

Yes.

If you wear glasses, we have special goggles that you can wear over them during the jump.

Contact lenses are also perfectly fine.

Can I take photos or videos during the jump?

Absolutely.

You can add a photo and/or video package to take home a record of the experience.

At Saltamos, we offer two options: Handycam and External Camera.

Handycam

Your instructor wears a camera on their wrist and records the experience from their perspective, including plenty of selfie-style footage.

External Camera

A third skydiver jumps alongside you and your instructor, capturing the experience from different angles: above, below, from the sides, the views… EVERYTHING.

Once you’re back on the ground, they will also film your landing.

You can see the difference between the two camera options here:

Can I jump with my partner or friends?

Absolutely.

If you’re coming with your partner, friends or family and you’re all doing tandem jumps, we can organise your jumps for the same day and the same aircraft.

Each person will have their own instructor, but you’ll see everyone leave the aircraft one after another. There are approximately 10 seconds between each passenger.

You’ll also land safely just seconds apart, so you can share the experience from take-off to landing.

Can I come with someone who isn’t jumping?

Of course!

Friends and family are more than welcome to come along and experience the day with you from the ground. They can watch the take-offs and landings and enjoy the atmosphere at the dropzone.

At Saltamos, we have a swimming pool, which is a real highlight during the summer, as well as an outdoor bar where you can enjoy beers, soft drinks or something to eat while watching the action.

We also have a wind tunnel, which is a great option for anyone who wants to experience the sensation of flying without jumping from an aircraft.

What happens if the weather isn’t good enough?

Skydiving depends on weather conditions.

If the conditions aren’t suitable for a safe jump, your jump may need to be delayed or rescheduled. The final decision is always based on the conditions on the day and the safety criteria of our team.

If you’re visiting Barcelona on holiday and you’re only here for a few days, we’ll refund your money without any problem if we’re unable to make your jump happen.

How long does the whole experience take?

There’s a big difference between the length of the actual jump and the length of the entire experience.

Here’s what your day will look like.

First, we’ll call you to get harnessed and give you your briefing. While you’re getting ready, your family and friends can take photos. If you’ve booked a photo and video package, your camera flyer will also be documenting this part of the experience.

Then it’s time to head to the boarding area and get on the aircraft.

During the climb, you’ll have around 12 to 15 minutes to enjoy the views and take in Montserrat as you reach 4,000 metres.

Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for.

You leave the aircraft and experience around one of the most intense and unforgettable minutes of your life in freefall until the parachute opens.

Once the parachute is open, everything slows down. You’re probably still trying to process what just happened, but now you can relax, enjoy the views and fly beneath the parachute for around five minutes before landing.

From the moment you’re called to get harnessed until you touch back down, the process usually takes around 35 to 40 minutes.

Because skydiving depends on the weather and the forces of nature, we recommend arriving with plenty of time and no tight plans immediately afterwards. If conditions aren’t ideal, the activity may be delayed.

What if I get nervous just before jumping?

Completely normal.

The nerves can kick in when you get on the aircraft, and especially when the door opens. Almost everyone experiences some level of nervousness before their first jump.

Your instructor will be with you the entire time and will tell you exactly what to do.

You don’t need to know how a parachute works or make any technical decisions. That’s our job.

You’re here to experience it.

What if I’ve never done anything like this before?

That’s exactly what tandem skydiving is for.

You don’t need experience, skydiving knowledge or any special physical preparation to give it a try.

You arrive, get your briefing, get geared up and jump with a professional instructor who stays with you throughout the entire experience.

The hardest part is making the decision.

The rest, we do together.