Skydive University First Jump Course Outline

Skydive University
First Jump Course
Skydive University's Coach Certification Course
and USPA's Skydiver's Information Manual (SIM),
and The Integrated Student Program (ISP)

All elements of the First Jump Course proper are the same as the USPA version (click here). What follows is a compilation of the elements and methods of the teaching techniques and, after Category E, that is Categories F, G, H, and I, how SDU treats the last 17 jumps of the A-license progression.

Skydive University views students as "clients," who have paid for and should receive a service in the form of professionally conducted, interesting and effective training. SDU stresses creativity in training, attention to detail, and flexibility on the part of trainers.

Skydive University treats the total progression in terms of "modules" instead of "jumps." The modules are: (1) Box; (2) Forward and Backward Motion; (3) Upward and Downward Motion; and (4) Swooping. The exercises are broken down into demonstrations, "static," which refers to exercises which are stationery and do not involve movement over a distance, "kinesthetic." which refers to exercises involving feeling, and "isometric," which involve resistance. In addition, "perceptual" drills are conducted to create a visual or sensory perception of what a student will see or experience in the air and involvement. Isometric exercises are always conducted first, followed by kinesthetic. This allows the student to acquire and practice the correct muscle usage and then to develop a "feel" for the movement.

Safety Overview: In accordance with USPA ISP, discussing: aircraft safety, planned landing areas, off-landing alternatives, areas to avoid landing in, exit procedures, emergency procedures, malfunction responses, inlcuding hard pull, no pull, and two canopies out, low break off procedures, canopy control, traffic and landing patterns inlcuding set-up points and the wind line, downwind landing procedure, wind direction cahnge procedure, landing safety and general drop zone rules.

MODULE ONE and MODULE TWO (taught as one)
Neutral Freefall position and forward/backward motion

Freefall Objectives: To learn and practice to proficiency the neutral freefall position or "box" position, forward motion, backward motion, grip taking, start-coast-stop (scs) forward movement, and forward movement with heading awareness.
Safety Objectives: Tracking, break-off procedure, altitude awareness, collision avoidance upon deployment.
Exit Objectives: Learn the elements and principles and learn a rear float exit.

Ground Preparation.

Neutral Freefall Position
The key teaching and observation points of this section are:
-- relaxed position with hands limp
-- slight arch through torso
-- Lift head and chin as high as possible
-- Knees at shoulder width or slightly wider
-- Feet slightly extended from 90 degrees
-- Elbows even with shoulders.
On creeper: five eyes open/five eyes closed, hold ten seconds/rest ten seconds.
Cycle: Box-relax. Suggested cue words: "Box -- Neutral"

Forward Movement
The key teaching and observation points of this section are:
--start from the neutral "box" position
--only the lower legs move
--the knees must remain at their original neutral box width
-- extend legs to full range of motion, locking knees
On creeper: five eyes open/five eyes closed, hold ten seconds/rest ten seconds.
Suggested cue words: "Box -- Neutral"
Cycle: Box-forward-box-relax. Suggested cue words: "forward," or "legs."

Back to Training Main Page