What would you recommend as a first jump, based on the statistics that most will only make one jump - Static Line, Tandem or AFF?

[Airhead 0]

WOW! Is it REALLY true that "most people who make a skydive only make one jump"?!?
Hard to believe! I went TANDEM for my 1st jump...AND I WAS HOOKEDIt's very reassuring when the instructor is with you and putting you at ease and in a very real sense- taking care of you...as well as himself/herself. Most comforting option for me was TANDEM any ways.

[Beachbum 0]

I agree with Bill that the different programs meet the different needs. I would probably never have started if I had to do tandems or static lines. I wanted the freefall, and I wanted my own rig ... so AFF was the way for me to go. I DO agree that it may be too much for some people, but I really feel like if you aren't fairly on the ball, you might should consider something else as a sport anyway.

As to SkyDiveMonkey's comment ... I have seen that also, but I think that depends on the AFF program. I had to do at least one hop-n-pop prior to "graduation" .. and admittedly, it was scary for me since I was accustomed to much more altitude. I have also seen the reverse of that ... static line students who are unsure about going to full altitude and having HOW MUCH freefall time?? BUT .. part of the draw of this sport IS the fear factor, right? It's all relative to experience, for sure. Last year at Lost Prairie there were two 500 or so jump people who had never jumped a Cessna, so they sent one up ... I got on the load and had a good laugh as they tried to climb out ... first one sticks a foot out the door reaching for the step, and it immediately blows into the doorframe ... BIG eyes!! They ended up taking nearly a minute to climb out and exit, resulting in a landing well down the valley from the dz. I waited in the plane for the go-around ... LOL.

As long as you are happy with yourself ... who cares what the rest of the world thinks?