A skydiver explains how they prepare physically

Summer is a great time of year to go skydiving , thanks to the long hours of daylight and stable weather conditions. It's a recreational activity for the general public, although it does require a minimum level of health, such as not having serious heart conditions or respiratory problems.

But beyond this adrenaline-fueled experience that can fill free time, skydiving is essential to the daily life of the BRIPAC (6th Parachute Brigade "Almogávares"), an elite unit of the Spanish Army specializing in airborne and air assault operations.

"Cultivating them day after day, with work, perseverance, effort, and dedication, our paratrooper legionnaires are, without a doubt, our greatest asset. Being a paratrooper is a special spirit that unites and equalizes all our men and women, with no other ambition than to be the best soldier of the Homeland ," they describe themselves.

Its headquarters are located in the Madrid town of Paracuellos de Jarama , where they have a training area where the brigade performs daily exercises that they are later required to do in the air.

Telemadrid 's Ruta 179 program visited Paracuellos to learn firsthand everything that goes into being a BRIPAC paratrooper, including their training and the equipment they must carry.

«The current limit of the parachute we have in equipment is about 160 kilos , including the weight of the paratrooper himself , the weapons , the backpack and the two parachutes they carry , the reserve and the main one, which weigh around 20 kilos. The weight of the backpacks when carrying out an exercise lasting several days can be around 40 to 45 kilos , almost double what they carry right now, which they carry in light configuration», they detail.

Beyond the parachutes themselves, which carry a main one on the back and a reserve one, the latter on the chest, other more everyday items are necessary. " The most important thing is what protects us from the cold and rain , which is the storm suit, which is the light sleeping bag. In case it rains or dews in the morning, we won't get wet during rest breaks. Combat gloves are also essential , along with a helmet, water, and food. And a razor, since a paratrooper always has to be clean-shaven."

Every last detail is checked before boarding the aircraft, with three checks . "Two in the boarding area and one just before boarding," they explain. Of course, combat gear is a must. "For a cleaner parachute opening when exiting the aircraft door, it's very important that the backpack is well-packed. Weapons are then added to the backpack itself, either the machine gun or the assault rifle , depending on the tactical position being used."

In Paracuellos de Jarama, on any given preparation day, they act as if it were a real parachute drop. They also act as if it were a real parachute drop. The maximum height at which this unit is dropped is "1,000 feet, which is approximately 350 to 400 meters." "Once they have simulated the exit from the aircraft, they simulate landing , which is a very critical moment to avoid injuries , with their legs together and always on their stomachs, to avoid falling face-first or with their backs to the wind and prevent potential injuries," they emphasize.