Can You Skydive With a Cold?

Is it ok to skydive with a cold? While skydiving might clear your sinuses faster than a decongestant, launching yourself out of a plane when you’re feeling stuffy and sore may not be the best medicine. So, before you grab that box of tissues and head to the dropzone, let’s explore whether your big jump should wait until after you’ve kicked that cold to the curb.

Can I Skydive When I’m Sick?

No, you should not skydive with a cold or if you’re experiencing any kind of sinus pressure. Skydiving with a cold is not only painful and miserable, it can lead to a dangerous issue (more on this in a minute). Skydiving involves exposure to high altitudes, rapid changes in air pressure, and intense physical and mental exertion. These factors can exacerbate symptoms of illness, especially when you’re dealing with congestion, a sore throat, or a cough.

Can I Skydive if I Have a Cough?

A mild, occasional cough may not be a dealbreaker. However, if your cough is persistent or comes with chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could interfere with your ability to skydive safely. During freefall, you’ll be experiencing 120 mph winds rushing all around you and on your face, which might not be an ideal situation if you’re already having a hard time breathing/coughing. 

Moreover, a persistent cough could be a sign of a more serious respiratory infection, which could worsen with the physical stress of skydiving. Always consult with a medical professional before deciding to jump if you have a cough.

Can You Skydive With a Sore Throat?

If your sore throat is mild and doesn’t affect your breathing, you might still be able to skydive. However, a sore throat can be indicative of a viral or bacterial infection, which could worsen with skydiving. Additionally, the dry air at altitude could irritate your throat further, causing more discomfort. 

If your sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, body aches, or fatigue, it’s best to postpone your jump until you feel better. Skydiving demands your full attention and energy, and doing it when you’re not feeling well might lead to a less enjoyable and potentially dangerous experience for your body.

Risks of Skydiving When You’re Sick

When you’re not feeling well, skydiving can have several negative effects that may be the recipe for an uncomfortable and even risky experience. Here are the main concerns when it comes to skydiving with a cold:

1. Pressure Changes and Ear Damage

As you make the climb to 13,500 feet, the air pressure around you drops rapidly, which can cause your ears to feel blocked. In order to equalize the pressure within your inner ear, your ears will clear the blockage or “pop”. If you’re congested due to a cold or sinus infection, your Eustachian tubes – the small passageways that connect your middle ear to the back of your nose – may be blocked. This blockage can prevent the equalization of pressure in your ears, which can lead to intense pain and more seriously, a ruptured eardrum. Ouchy! Annnddddd, if the blockage does clear while you’re stuffy, you’re in for a yucky, boogery mess. Not ideal for an epic skydiving video!

2. Permanent Hearing Damage

In addition to the risk of a burst eardrum, congestion can also increase the risk of inner ear damage. The inner ear contains delicate structures essential for hearing and balance. Rapid changes in pressure can cause fluid buildup, vertigo, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Prolonged exposure to these conditions, especially if the congestion is severe, can lead to permanent hearing loss or long-term balance issues. While this is a rare occurrence in skydiving – since we are only in the plane for a short amount of time and freefalling for just about a minute – it is still a possibility, especially when your sinuses are already blocked.

3. Sinus Barotrauma

Sinus Barotrauma or “sinus squeeze” occurs when the paranasal sinuses fail to equalize to barometric changes during vertical travel – which means it is common for scuba divers and people who fly (like us!). Barotrauma can be very painful, causing facial pain, headaches, bloody nose, and can even cause hearing loss. Symptoms usually last up to 24 hours.

4. Dehydration

Illnesses often deplete the body of fluids, as you are usually recruiting all hands on deck to fight off the sickness. Remember Osmosis Jones? Skydiving is similar in a way that it triggers your body’s fight-or-flight response and uses adrenaline to get your heart pumping and oxygen flowing to basically prepare for battle – which is why it’s important to be fueled up and ready to go. 

Not to mention, physical exertion and anxiety associated with skydiving can make you sweat more than usual. This puts a ton of stress on your body which could lead to dehydration, dizziness, fatigue, and confusion – all of which are dangerous when you’re trying to listen to instructions, perform skydiving maneuvers thousands of feet in the air, and land back on solid ground.

5. Prolonged Recovery

Skydiving is physically demanding, and choosing to jump while you’re unwell can significantly prolong your recovery time. When your body is fighting off an illness like a cold, it needs ample rest and energy to repair itself and bolster your immune system. The adrenaline rush, muscle engagement, mental exertion, and rapid changes in altitude can exhaust your body further, delaying healing, worsening symptoms, or even turning a mild illness into a more serious condition.

How Congested Is Too Congested to Skydive?

The general rule is that if your illness is affecting your ability to breathe, focus, or move comfortably, it’s better to reschedule your jump. And if you’re experiencing ANY kind of sinus pressure, definitely postpone – the risks simply are not worth it. While skydiving doesn’t necessarily have to be a once-in-a-lifetime activity, for many it is! So, we want you to be in tip-top shape and enjoy it fully.

Always listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you’re unsure whether it is safe for you to skydive. Safety is our top priority, which means ensuring you are feeling your best. Your ears will thank you. Don’t worry, there will always be another opportunity to experience the life-changing awe of skydiving when you’re feeling 100% well and ready for adventure! 

Feeling healthy and ready to jump? Book your skydive with Virginia’s premier skydiving center, Skydive Orange! Blue skies.