Is Skydiving More Fun Than Scary?

Yep, scary fun! A skydiving experience is inherently scary, but how scary is skydiving … really? Well, it’s scary in a much different way than you may think; it’s not a “fear for your life” scary, but more of a fear of the unknown. Think about it like this: as we get older, we do things for the first time less often. For example, when you’re 5 years old everything is new and exciting, but when you’re 25, not so much. 

Skydiving for the first time (and seeing the world from 2 miles up suspended by a harness and parachute) rejuvenates the curiosity and, yes, ignites that inherent sense of hesitation that comes with doing something for the first time. However! The benefits of skydiving strongly outweigh any fears! 

Can skydiving relax you? 

Yes! Constantly pondering about the dreaded “what if” ahead of any scenario will fuel your anxiety. But, the overwhelming sense of achievement and empowerment that comes with conquering a fear is what most people feel after their first skydive.

Many avid skydivers jump because it’s “cheaper than therapy” and helps to relieve anxiety and stress, and can even alleviate symptoms of PTSD. How? All the happy chemicals that are released during a skydive (dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and endorphins) combine and do something truly special! 

The most common effect we hear from people who skydive for the first time is a profound change in perspective. Whether this is simply seeing the earth from above, or experiencing being physically above problems on the ground (and realizing how insignificant they might be), skydiving is a life-changing experience. 

Skydiving vs Roller Coaster 

Does skydiving feel like riding a roller coaster? Surprisingly, no. While some people experience the anticipated stomach-drop feeling while under the parachute, this only occurs when doing a turn. If you love that buzzy-tummy feeling, then let your instructor know and they’ll be sure to give you a realllll fun ride. If it’s not your thing then they’ll take the canopy ride as easy and slow as possible! 

Why don’t you feel your stomach drop when jumping from the plane? You’re already moving forward! Meaning, you don’t go straight down when you jump from the plane. Skydivers call the initial exit from the plane “the hill,” because it is like sliding down a steep hill – in the sky! Examples of jumps where you would experience the stomach drop are a BASE jump or a hot air balloon jump. This is because you’d be leaping from a (mostly) still object with no relative wind, not a plane that is going around 100 mph! 

How can I stop being scared to skydive? 

The biggest hurdle to crush (besides actually booking your skydive) is getting yourself to the door of the plane and shouting a big, excited “YES” when your instructor asks if you’re ready to skydive. The rest of the jump is easy after you commit to actually doing it. Taking some big deep breaths, doing your research about the statistics of skydiving and your dropzone of choice, and talking with your instructor are all good places to start! 

Did you know that 2021 was the “safest year on record” in skydiving history? Of the 3.57 MILLION skydives that took place in 2021, 10 resulted in a fatality – and zero were students. In fact, on average there has been one tandem student fatality per 500,000 jumps over the past 10 years. Skydiving technology and training have made the odds very much in your favor. Rest assured that the risk of skydiving is an extremely calculated one that many people take daily. 

• I’m afraid of heights, can I still skydive?

Yes! You know that feeling you get in your tummy while standing on a high platform or building and looking down? Eeeek! Don’t worry, our brains have a difficult time comprehending the distance we are from the earth while skydiving. When you look out the door of the plane, you’ll be stimulated by the fast rush of the wind, the smile of your videographer, and the stunning views; the height will be the last thing on your mind! You truly cannot even tell how high you are when you’re up there … it’s crazy, we know. 

• I’m afraid I’ll get sick, what can I do? 

Communicate! If you’re prone to motion sickness, just let us know. Your instructor is a professional who has hundreds or thousands of skydives and is trained to handle any and every situation. If they’re aware beforehand that you may experience motion sickness, they can make the canopy descent more docile, help you breathe through any nausea, and offer words of support! The chances of getting sick from skydiving are super low, and there are licensed skydivers who experience motion sickness that have no issues regularly making skydives. And remember, if it does happen, who cares! We’ll get you taken care of and there is no judgment passed. (We’ve seen it all!)

• What if something happens to my instructor!? 

Ah! Okay, let’s be real, the chances of this happening are extremely low, BUT we prepare for that with the AAD. What’s an AAD you may ask? Our trusty Automatic Activation Devices are designed to actually deploy the reserve parachute for you if the solo skydiver or tandem instructor is unable to do so. An AAD is a small computer that is checked before every skydive and calculates your velocity and altitude to determine if you have a parachute or not. Nifty! 

It is normal to experience some shilly-shally to skydive, so don’t be embarrassed! If you choose to take the leap of faith, we know it’ll be one for the books and a story you share for the rest of your life. Please reach out to us with any questions or hesitations. We can’t wait to soar through the skies with you!