Mickel Malek, a dental surgeon at iSmileSpa in Santa Cruz, California, is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys camping, fishing, and horseback riding when not devoting himself to his work. Something for only the most dedicated adventure seekers, Mickel Malek also enjoys skydiving. Here are three important tips to keep in mind before taking the first plunge. 1. Calm down before the jump. This might be easier said than done, but educating oneself with some skydiving videos and articles beforehand can help put things in perspective. Doing some stretches before jumping, especially ones for the neck, will also help relax the body. 2. Become the banana. When jumping tandem, the body should be banana-shaped, with the head tilted back slightly and eyes on the horizon. The back should stay arched, with legs bent and soles aimed at the sky, with the arms out like a bird. 3. Dress properly and come prepared. While it might seem like jumping out of a plane so high up would be freezing, adrenaline has a way of warming a person up. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and don't forget to bring a bit of cash to tip the instructor!
Dr. Mickel Malek, a dental surgeon with iSmile Spa, balances his professional responsibilities with a love of the outdoors. An avid horseback rider, angler, and camper, Dr. Mickel Malek also enjoys skydiving.A skydiver's first jump is often tandem, which means the new skydiver goes through the entire dive attached to an instructor or experienced skydiver. The new skydiver wears a harness that connects to the instructor, who is thoroughly trained in the skills to guide a dive. The instructor wears both a parachute and a drogue chute, which slows descent to a speed at which the parachute is safe to operate. The jump itself typically takes place at 10,000 feet, with the new skydiver and instructor falling together at 120 miles per hour. This falling stage lasts approximately 45 to 60 seconds and feels more like flying than falling because of the wind pushing up against the descending bodies.Most new skydivers feel a falling sensation only after the instructor deploys the parachute. This part of the ride is often the most enjoyable because the parachute has opened, the wind quiets down, and the new skydiver can relax. Just before reaching the ground, new skydivers must pull their knees up to the chest and keep them up until the instructor has made ground contact.
