What is a HALO Jump? A Comprehensive Guide to HALO Jumping

You’re about to delve into a topic that stirs the hearts of thrill-seekers and sparks curiosity in those who prefer their feet firmly planted on the ground. This is the world of HALO jumping, where courage meets calculated risk, and the sky becomes a playground for a select few. So, what is a halo jump?

Unraveling the Mystery: What is a HALO Jump?

In a nutshell, HALO stands for High Altitude Low Opening. It’s a specialized type of skydiving where individuals or teams jump from extreme altitudes, typically ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 feet, and delay opening their parachutes until they’re much closer to the ground.

This extended freefall time is what sets HALO jumps apart from your average skydiving experience. But, it isn’t just about chasing a longer freefall – a HALO jump’s true purpose is often rooted in military strategy. For civilian skydivers, it offers the thrill of extreme altitude jumps.

A Military Maneuver Adopted by Daredevils

While the idea of plummeting through the sky from dizzying heights might seem like pure thrill-seeking, HALO jumps are firmly planted in military strategy. Developed during the Korean War, HALO jumping provided a method for soldiers to infiltrate enemy territory stealthily, minimizing their chances of detection by radar and ground forces.

Think about it – skydivers exit the plane somewhere between 10,000 and 14,000 feet on a typical skydive. HALO jumps allow insertion from high altitudes exceeding this. Over time, a tactical military procedure transitioned into an adventure sport, attracting civilian daredevils who yearned to taste this adrenaline-pumping experience.

Now, dedicated companies like Skydive High offer these incredible experiences. They boast, “Halo jumpers can expect to experience more than two full minutes of freefall.”

Navigating the Challenges of Altitude and Oxygen

Taking a leap of faith from 10,000 feet is one thing. Launching yourself from an altitude that rivals Mount Everest is a different ballgame, bringing challenges, including supplemental oxygen and specialized equipment.

Breathing at the Edge of the Stratosphere

Up in those rarefied heights, oxygen becomes scarce. For civilian HALO jumps that typically exit between 10,000 – 14,000 feet at WNY Skydiving, oxygen is not always needed. However, anytime a jump goes above 15,000 feet, supplementary oxygen becomes crucial for safety, both during the ascent and for a significant portion of the freefall.

HALO jumpers rely on specialized breathing equipment and protocols to prevent hypoxia, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the body’s tissues. Hypoxia can cause brain fog and physical impairment – a terrifying potential when you’re about to leap from a plane. Proper training and meticulous adherence to safety procedures are paramount.

Gearing Up for the Ultimate Plunge

A successful HALO jump demands a specific gear set alongside functioning bailout oxygen. This equipment extends beyond the standard parachute and jumpsuit. Specialized altimeters designed for higher altitudes, protective clothing against frigid temperatures found at extreme heights, and reliable communication devices to ensure coordination between jumpers are all essential.

The cost of all this specialized gear can easily range from $750 to over $3,000, highlighting the financial commitment involved in pursuing this exhilarating activity.

Training Beyond the Conventional

Rigorous training is non-negotiable if you’re considering crossing a HALO jump off your bucket list. You won’t just be jumping out of a perfect airplane, and you’ll be essentially stepping into the realm of specialized military operations.

Aspiring HALO jumpers undergo rigorous physical conditioning, extensive parachute training, and detailed instruction on high-altitude procedures. This training is crucial for handling the pressure systems and bailout bottles they will encounter, ensuring their safety throughout the jump.

Pushing the Limits: Record-Breaking Heights

Throughout the history of HALO jumping, individuals have constantly sought to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating intermediate-altitude jumps and extreme-altitude jumps. This has resulted in jaw-dropping feats of human endurance and courage, achieving records at breathtaking heights.

The world watched in awe as daredevil Alan Eustace plummeted from the stratosphere, etching his name in the record books. His jump, reaching a staggering 135,898 feet in 2014, is a powerful testament to the relentless pursuit of exceeding human limitations in HALO jumping.