Photo by Brian Buckland | D-19047
Some of the world's most accomplished vertical formation skydivers transition between points at the Dubai Sequentials, an invitational event held by Skydive Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Whether it is a visit to a nearby drop zone during a weekend of normal jump operations or a long trip to a boogie or other special event, it is fun and exciting to head out for new adventures. But it can also be intimidating, especially if you are new to the sport and leaving the nest for the first time. A little planning and preparation will go a long way toward making your experience fun and painless.

Photo by Rolf Kuratle | C-28064
On his way to winning the overall gold medal for canopy piloting, Curt Bartholomew competes in a distance round during the 2013 World Parachuting Championships at Skydive Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Photo by Niklas Daniel | D-28906
Over Skydive Arizona in Eloy, the U.S. Army Golden Knights 4-way formation skydiving team's videographer, Scott Janise, films Laura Dickmeyer, Angela Nichols, Jen Schaben and Dannielle Woosley as they exit a Twin Otter on their way to become the first all-female team to medal in the open class at the USPA National Skydiving Championships.

Photo courtesy of balazgardi.com for Red Bull
Felix Baumgartner celebrates after landing in Roswell, New Mexico, after setting the world record for highest altitude skydive.

Photo by Cheryl Brown | USPA #244108
Robert Waspe prepares to land his canopy as the morning sun rises behind dissipating clouds at Skydive City Zephyrhills in Florida.

Photo by Norman Kent | D-8369
Jumpers converge on the base during the head-down world record attempts at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois.

Photo by Gustavo Cabana | USPA #80952
A group of jumpers exit a Dornier aircraft over Prostejov, Czech Republic, during the annual Vector Festival.

Photo by Mike Burdon | USPA #206262
Tom Naef pilots his canopy under the Mediterranean Sea during a photo shoot for the Submission Project.

Photo by Niklas Daniel | D-28906
Steve Curtis photographs a hybrid during the Freefly Sequentials.

Photo by Jim Harris | USPA #160885
Over Skydive Spain in Seville, freefly team Volare (from left, Daniel Parker, Frazer Smith and Mike Carpenter) trains for the 2012 FAI World Parachuting Championships held in Dubai. 

Photo by Harry Parker | D-15425
After waiting all day for the winds to die down, Matthew Spicer concentrates on his exit during a student currency jump over Skydive Sebastian in Florida.

Photo by Jeff Nebelkopf | D-28355
Canopy pilots (from top) Mikeal Stevens, Jonathan Tagle and Wuzi Wagner form a 3-stack and surf Mike Swanson while (clockwise from bottom left) Taya Weiss, Will Kitto and Barry Holubeck fly in formation during Raise the Sky's Project XRW at Skydive Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Photo by Mike McGowan | D-5709

Ben Barringer, cadet wing commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy, bears down on the tuffet during the open classic accuracy event at the USPA National Collegiate Parachuting Championships

Photo by Dawie du Plessis | USPA# 190345
In the Himalayas, Bill Booth jumps from 30,000 feet with Mount Everest as his backdrop.

Many canopy-related accidents are rooted in a lack of basic skill and knowledge regarding canopy flight. The USPA Board of Directors has taken a step toward reducing canopy-related injuries and fatalities by mandating new requirements for the USPA B license. 

Photo by Bill Schmitz | D-30164

Over Skydive Arizona in Eloy, SDC Standard trains for what will be a first-place performance in the open class of the 2011 USPA National Championships of Vertical Formation Skydiving.

Jumping at an unfamiliar drop zone can be intimidating, especially to newer skydivers who may have jumped at only one place so far. Jumpers need to approach visiting a new location with caution and planning, whether it is just a weekend jumping out of a Cessna 182 or sharing the skies with hundreds of jumpers at a large boogie. And this caution applies to jumpers of all experience levels.

Skydivers have a special ability the general public just doesn’t have. Unfortunately, that special ability can be used in devious ways...

Don't let a lack of knowledge or skill keep you from the sport that you love—there are many ways to improve your confidence and safety under canopy.