Afraid of Skydiving?

Is it normal to be scared of skydiving? YES – being afraid of skydiving is absolutely normal. The thought of jumping from an airplane can stir up a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, curiosity, and of course, FEAR. It’s expected to feel nervous or intimidated at the thought of leaping from thousands of feet in the air. In fact, it would be a little freaky if you had zero apprehension! 

Let’s take a deeper dive into the fear of freefalling. Where does it come from? Why does it happen? And why do people like it? 

Skydiving Anxiety: Where Does it Come From? 

Is skydiving scary, or are we just scared of doing something new for the first time? Mmm, probably a little bit of both. Skydiving anxiety comes from something different for everyone – maybe you’re scared of heights, planes, or something we wouldn’t even think of! And if you aren’t sure why you have the pre-jump jitters, that’s okay! It’s not always that you need to know why to find the solution.

The inherent nervousness to skydive is likely rooted in the simple fact that leaping from an airplane is not a ‘normal’ thing to do. This understandably throws our brains for a bit of a loop. 

Nervous to Jump? Here’s How to Fix It 

The act of skydiving causes bickering between our common sense (our survival instincts) and our rationale. Common sense says jumping from a plane comes with risk and, therefore, we should fear it. Rationale says skydiving can be a really fun sport that sooo many people enjoy and, therefore, we should go for it. Only you can decide which argument wins out. 

Here’s something that needs no debate: facing your fear – of skydiving or something else – is incredibly empowering. So, if you have decided that you definitely want to skydive, the only way to address the fear is to meet it as a friend and do it! It sounds a little counterintuitive, but it’s how we override the part of our brain that houses our fear, the amygdala. 

The amygdala struggles with being told that something’s okay once it’s made up its mind that it’s scary – this part of our brain is pretty dang stubborn. It can learn that something isn’t so scary, but only by being proven wrong. For example, the amygdala tells us it’s scary to skydive, but once we skydive and have a blast, it’ll think, “Hmm, that wasn’t so bad.” Then, it’ll unlearn the previously formed fear. 

What’s neat about this unlearning of fear is that it will transcend skydiving and seep into other areas of your life! If you want to do something else you’re apprehensive about that’s less intimidating than skydiving, you’re able to recall your skydiving accomplishment and be more open to giving it a go. This is why people say growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone – it’s physiologically impossible!

What is the Scariest Part of Skydiving? 

Is it scary to skydive for the first time? Honestly, it just depends on the person. Some people do well with embracing the ‘full send, heck yeah!’ attitude right as the door opens, while others can be a little wiggly when it’s time to go. There are a few potentially scary pieces of the skydiving puzzle – let’s take a look.

Doing something new. Point blank: doing new things is hard. We generally get nervous about starting a new job, meeting new people, or beginning a relationship with someone. BUT, what if it’s the best job you’ve ever had, you meet your best friend, and you fall in love with someone who truly gets you? You don’t know until you try! 

Depending on a stranger. As a tandem passenger, you’re putting quite a bit of faith in your tandem skydiving instructor. It’s a good thing they have years of experience, hours of freefall time, extensive training, and multiple certifications. They even need to pass a Class III Medical examination by the Federal Aviation Administration. Feel free to ask your tandem instructor anything – there are no stupid questions in the skydiving world. 

Trusting unfamiliar gear. What do you know about skydiving gear? Did that question just make your heart rate go up?Hehe, all good! Skydiving gear is tested extensively, constantly evolving to exceed our already sky-high expectations, and frequently inspected. Manufacturers and dropzones have stringent protocols, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about our gear. The best way to combat fear in this case is to educate yourself on the topic to ease any worries.

Are You up for the Challenge? 

Fear is a natural part of adventure, and this is especially true when it comes to a fear of skydiving because it’s unnatural in nearly every aspect! Ultimately, whatever type of person you are, and whatever it is about skydiving that intimidates you, we’re almost certain you’ll land with the biggest grin you’ve ever had. 

Reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or further fears – we’re an open book! And if you’re ready to fly, book your jump with one of the best places to skydive in the US, Skydive Key West! Blue skies.