Skydiving Water Landings: The Complete Guide

Water landings are one of skydiving's unique experiences—whether you're planning an intentional water jump to meet D-License requirements or preparing for an unexpected splashdown. This guide covers both: the fun of planned water jumps and the critical survival procedures every skydiver needs to know.

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Intentional Water Jumps

Jumping into water is a blast—and for many skydivers, it's a bucket-list experience. There's something uniquely freeing about splashing down instead of landing on solid ground. Beyond the fun factor, intentional water jumps also count toward your D-License advanced skills requirements.

Who Can Make Intentional Water Jumps?

📋 USPA Requirements for Water Jumps

  • B-License and above may perform intentional water jumps
  • Prior coordination required with your S&TA, Examiner, or Regional Director
  • Counts as one of the D-License advanced skill options

Even if you've done dozens of water jumps, each one requires advance coordination—this isn't a "show up and splash" situation.

Gear Considerations for Intentional Water Jumps

Intentional water jumps require additional preparation beyond a normal skydive:

🦺 Flotation Device (Required)

  • Wear a pre-inflated or automatically inflating flotation device
  • Do not rely on manual inflation—flotation should be ready the moment you hit the water
  • Device should keep you afloat even if you're disoriented after splashdown

🪂 Container & Canopy

  • Discuss with your rigger whether your container has water-related concerns
  • Some jumpers use older/dedicated gear (saltwater is hard on equipment)
  • Discuss with you rigger if you should take your AAD out.
  • Canopy needs thorough rinsing and proper drying afterward

👕 What to Wear

  • Minimal clothing that won't weigh you down when wet
  • Wear shoes—you never know what hazards might be in the water
  • No full-face helmets—they can trap water; use open-face or go without

⌚ Altimeter

  • Analog altimeters handle water better than digital
  • Consider a disposable backup if you're concerned about your primary

The Experience: What to Expect

Intentional water jumps typically involve:

  1. Designated landing zone in a body of water with adequate depth and rescue boats standing by
  2. Safety boats positioned to retrieve jumpers quickly
  3. Briefing covering the specific procedures for that jump and location
  4. Planned approach so you land near the boats, not swimming a half-mile to shore

The landing itself feels different—you'll flare, but the splashdown replaces the usual rollout. Many jumpers describe it as surprisingly gentle when done correctly.

Unintentional Water Landings: When Fun Becomes Survival

Everything above assumes you planned to land in water. But what happens when you didn't?

⚠️ Critical Safety Information

Unintentional water landings are a serious safety concern. The procedures differ significantly from a planned water jump. The greatest risks are entanglement and drowning. Even if you've completed water training, regularly reviewing these procedures could save your life.

When Might You Land in Water?

Unintentional water landings typically occur due to:

  • Unexpected Weather Changes: Sudden strong winds or shifts
  • Unfamiliarity with the Area: Not recognizing local water bodies
  • Spotting Errors: Exiting the aircraft off-target
  • Malfunctions: Requiring an emergency landing away from the intended zone
  • Emergency Aircraft Exit: Requiring an immediate bailout

Who is Most at Risk?

Those most vulnerable during a water landing include:

🦺

No Flotation Device

Jumping within one mile of water without flotation

❌

Incorrect Procedures

Panicked or ill-informed actions leading to entanglement

🥶

Cold Water

Hypothermia can rapidly incapacitate

😰

Panic

Poor decisions and rapid exhaustion

Real-Life Lessons from Water Landing Incidents

These incidents underscore the critical importance of preparedness:

  • Lake Erie (August 1967): Seventeen skydivers drowned after jumping over solid overcast, five miles from shore. Only two were rescued.
  • Pond Entanglement (September 2017): A jumper landed in a pond after a low malfunction, surfaced briefly, then became entangled in reserve lines. Cause of death: drowning.
  • Low Pull (November 2019): Two-out situation led to a downplane into a cold river adjacent to the dropzone.

Emergency Water Landing Procedures

If a Water Landing is Probable (You Have Time)

🎯 Landing Priorities (Same as Always)

1
Wing Level: Keep your canopy level and flying forward
2
Clear Area: Aim for a clear, open area free of obstacles
3
Flare & PLF: Flare at least halfway; PLF since water depth is unknown

Specific Water Considerations (High Up)

  • Aim close to shore or something that floats (boat, buoy, dock)
  • Ocean landings: Avoid reefs; aim for just before the surf zone or just beyond
  • Identify obstacles: Trees, buildings, boats, power lines, submerged objects

Equipment Preparation (Above 1,000 feet AGL)

✅ Pre-Splashdown Checklist

  • ☐ Disconnect RSL (prevents reserve activation if RSL snags after cutaway)
  • ☐ Loosen/unfasten chest strap (easier to exit harness after landing)
  • ☐ Open full-face helmet visor (if wearing one)
  • ☐ Inflate flotation device (if manual inflation type)
  • ☐ Discard weight belt (if worn and time permits)

⚠️ Important: Do NOT Loosen Leg Straps

We strongly caution against loosening leg straps before landing. Loosening them can make it difficult to reach your toggles. Uneven loosening can induce an unwanted harness turn. Address leg straps after you are in the water and clear of the canopy.

Landing Direction (Into Wind vs. Crosswind)

💡 Pro Tip

For water landings, safety and proximity to shore take precedence over landing into the wind. In light winds, landing slightly crosswind can actually be safer—it helps keep your parachute from collapsing directly on top of you.

When a Water Landing is Imminent (Final Seconds)

1
Flare at least halfway when you think you should, then finish your flare when your feet touch the water. Water makes judging height extremely difficult.
2
Take a deep breath just before entering the water.
3
Enter feet first, prepare for PLF since depth is unknown and there may be submerged objects.
4
Cut away ONLY when feet are wet (if you're worried about entanglement). Depth perception over water is unreliable.

What to Do When You Are in the Water

Primary goal: Prevent entanglement and maintain buoyancy.

ℹ️ How Parachutes Behave in Water

In calm water, parachutes typically stay on the surface for several minutes before filling with water and sinking. This provides a crucial window for assessment and action.

If Parachute is Over Your Head

Bring one arm straight up out of the water to create an air pocket. Find a seam in the parachute and follow it to the edge to get free.

Immediate Assessment

  • Are you entangled in lines?
  • Is the water cold (below 70°F / 21°C)?
  • Is your reserve still packed in its container?

IHow to Get Out of Your Rig:

1
Let go of your toggles
2
Bring your arms in close to your body
3
Shrug off the shoulder straps
4
Slip out of the leg straps
5
Swim DOWN and AWAY from the parachute to avoid lines

If NOT Entangled and Reserve is Still Packed:

💡 Your Reserve Container Floats

A packed reserve container provides buoyancy for approximately 20-30 minutes. This gives you valuable time to assess before detaching your harness. In cold water, staying in your harness and using this buoyancy may be better than immediately discarding your rig.

Cold Water Considerations

🥶 Cold Water Facts

  • Cold water = below 70°F (21°C)
  • Activity in cold water causes rapid heat loss as blood moves to extremities
  • Minimize movement and float rather than swimming aggressively (unless very close to shore)
  • Use the buoyancy of a packed reserve container to conserve energy

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Licensed skydivers (B-License and above) can make intentional water jumps with prior coordination from their S&amp;TA, Examiner, or Regional Director. Water jumps also count toward <a href="/uspa-licenses#d-license">D-License advanced skill requirements

  • You need at least a USPA B-License to make intentional water jumps. The jump must be coordinated in advance with the appropriate USPA official.

  • Intentional water landings with proper preparation, flotation gear, and rescue boats are relatively safe. Unintentional water landings are much more dangerous due to lack of preparation, potential entanglement, and drowning risk.

  • Yes, temporarily. In calm water, a parachute will stay on the surface for several minutes before enough water can enter the cells.

  • Only when your feet are wet or just about to enter the water. Cutting away too early is dangerous because depth perception over water is extremely unreliable.

  • No. Loosening leg straps can make it difficult to reach your toggles and may cause an unwanted harness turn. Address leg straps after you're in the water.

  • Survival time varies based on water temperature and physical condition. In cold water (below 70°F), minimize movement to conserve heat. A packed reserve container provides 20-30 minutes of buoyancy.

Continue Your Training

Water landing procedures are just one part of comprehensive skydiving safety:

B-License Study Guide
USPA License Requirements
Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) Guide

This guide summarizes key information from the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual (SIM). Attending the practical portion of water training is highly recommended.