How to buy a skydiving rig

Submitting an order for complete skydiving rig has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, and while online technology has made the orders more accurate, it's not an exactly straight forward process for those ordering their first rig. So in this article, we'll break down the process and make it a bit easier to know you're on the right path to jumping out of a plane with your own rig! The process is summarized in these 8 steps:

• Choosing the Container, Canopies & AAD
• Finding the price for the complete skydiving rig gear package
• Submitting the manufacturer container order form
• Submitting the manufacturer canopy order forms
• Submitting the complete skydiving rig package order
• Confirming the details
• Waiting for the rig to be manufactured and rigged
• Receiving the rig and jumping it!

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(Originally published in Blue Skies Magazine & then updated periodically)

You’ve talked to your local instructors, scoured dropzone.com and Facebook, clicked through the gear shop web sites and even ventured into the risky eBay waters. Yet that first rig continues to elude you. Although you’d love to go all new, the cash isn’t there. So finding something used or continuing to rent seems to be your only remaining options.

But your thoughts keep coming back to a container that fits like a glove with all the latest, greatest options. So how do you combine the two?

Why not a brand new harness/container built to your body measurements and filled with used canopies and a used AAD? Not only do you get a rig with the latest technology, but also one that fits you properly. And you still can keep your costs low as you find a used main, reserve and AAD.

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