What should I bring?
What kind of certificate is that?
For prospective students in skydiving and regular control of tandem pilots. It is a general survey with a particular focus on mobility, vision and ears. If you are already an active skydiver, you are of course also welcome for a medical check-up.
Tandem pilots and Jumpers over 40 years:
ECG survey adds 500KR
Medical conditions of importance in skydiving
As a prospective student or as a tandem pilot, an approved medical certificate is required, some of the issues we look at in particular are listed below.
For the latest rules and guidelines, please refer to the Swedish Parachute Association's website: http://www.sff.se
Heart & vessels: At 4000 meters, the oxygen content is reduced by 40%. This lack of oxygen, together with the physical exertion, requires a healthy heart. Angina or previous myocardial infarction are clear obstacles to an approved medical certificate. Care must also be taken when risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present, such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity or diabetes.
Lungs: The situation also places demands on the body's oxygen uptake capacity. Total freedom of smoking is a strong recommendation, large smoking is excluded. Smoking not only reduces oxygen uptake but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Asthma is often an obstacle, especially if it is triggered by cold.
The motion device: The parachute must be able to be triggered at 200 km/h with both arms, which requires not only full mobility but also good strength. If the axle has previously dislocated, this is an absolute obstacle as the force exerted by the speed wind on the arms poses a high risk of the axle dislocating again. When the parachute is triggered, the body is exposed to a deceleration of usually 4G but sometimes up to 15G. The landing corresponds to a jump from just over one meter with a simultaneous forward speed of 6 meters per second. All this places demands on healthy bones, joints and muscles. At the medical examination, we specifically look at the movements required to trigger the parachute.
Overweight: The main problem with overweight and skydiving is the increased forces it brings when deploying the parachute and landing. Mobility may also be impaired. Finally, it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Middle ear: The free fall creates rapid pressure differences around the body that must be constantly smoothed with middle ear and sinuses. Diseases of these areas, or congenital difficulty in pressure equalization, can cause problems when skydiving.
Abuse: Skydiving requires a complete mental presence, both in preparation but above all during the jump. There are several elements that need to be handled correctly and there are potentially situations that may arise that require quick decisions. All forms of substance abuse, such as alcohol, drugs or narcotic drugs, are therefore an absolute obstacle to skydiving.
Neurology: Diseases that can cause sudden loss of consciousness, such as epilepsy and narcolepsy, are an obstacle. Other neurological disorders that affect muscle strength or sensation, such as previous strokes, MS, Parkinson's disease are also obstacles. When you come to us for your medical certificate, we will carry out an extended neurological status.
Diabetes: Diabetes is usually an obstacle to skydiving. The greatest risk is blood sugar drops during a critical moment, where it can be difficult to recognize the symptoms due to the stress as well as difficult to id extra sugar. In the longer term, diabetes also poses a risk of cardiovascular disease.