Introduction
Extreme sports have always attracted people by promising them a chance to experience new emotions and to get a true adrenaline rush. Nowadays skydiving is one of the most popular extreme activities in the world. People include it in their must-do lists as a symbol of a true challenge both to their physical skills and spirit. However, some consider going in for skydiving too thoughtless due to the high risks the sport implies.
History and the concept
To begin with, the history of skydiving might seem completely unexpected as the appearance of this sport dates back to 90 B.C. when the first parachuting attempts were made in China. The use of the parachute, which had a form close to the one we know, today first happened at the end of the seventeenth century in France. At that time, it performed a safety function for balloonists who ventured their lives traveling in hot air balloons despite the high accident frequency (The History of Skydiving, 2015). Today skydiving has turned into a real sport with its rules and regulations. Some people, though, regard it as a hobby and a perfect opportunity to escape the routine. As well as every sporting activity, skydiving has its advantages and disadvantages.
The benefits of skydiving are varied and numerous. The sport makes a positive contribution both to one’s physical and mental conditions. First of all, being extremely risky, the activity serves as an ideal source of stress relief. The experienced adrenaline rush releases the tension of the mind and muscles. Secondly, although, a sky-jump is a serious challenge to one’s courage, its overcoming makes a person more confident. After facing the fears, people start believing in their abilities. Moreover, skydiving is a very spectacular sport. As far as the decision is made, and the divers have finally jumped, all the preceding difficulties are made up with a breath-taking view beneath the sportsmen. Some divers claim that the sight of the Earth from above is capable of changing a person’s mindset. One stops being afraid of life’s uncertainty and gets rid of unnecessary prejudice (The Health Benefits of Skydiving, 2014).
Nevertheless, despite all the favorable points mentioned above, the sport has its drawbacks as well. Like all extreme sports, skydiving requires some preliminary training so that a sportsman is in the proper physical condition for the jump. Even though no serious medical restrictions are referring to the sport, one is advised to test his heart condition before taking it up. However, the gravest disadvantage of skydiving is, definitely, its riskiness. A self-command loss or equipment failure can lead to deplorable consequences varying from severe injuries to fatal outcomes. For this reason, every person willing to go in for skydiving is obliged to attend special courses and to pass a relevant examination. This preparation is supposed to prevent possible accidents in the sky.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one should admit that skydiving is an utterly specific kind of sport, at least, because it is performed high above the Earth. Taking up this activity is an important decision that demands careful consideration and maturity. A person is to be ready to bear responsibility for his actions in order not to endanger anyone’s life. Meanwhile, the impressions one is likely to get from the first jump promise to be unforgettable.
References
The Health Benefits of Skydiving. (2014). Web.
The History of Skydiving. (2015). Web.