Chad Cliff is an avid extreme sports enthusiast who has completed more than two dozen jumps, some of them in tandem. Skydiving for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. The conscious mind wants the adventure, but the body’s fight or flight system is often triggered during the endeavor. This results in a sudden rush of adrenalin that can be quite off-putting if one is not ready for it. That is also the main reason why nobody should jump solo for the first time. There is no telling how someone will react, even if they are the most confident, brave person in the world.
You Don’t Have to Possess an Innate Athletic Ability
Skydiving doesn’t require too much athletic ability, only good health. In fact, one doesn’t even have to be in a particularly good shape. Gravity does the lion’s share of the work. With that said, weight limits are fairly common, their maximum often being set at 200 pounds. There are exceptions; when someone is really tall but generally in good shape, most companies will allow them to jump.
The Height Is Not That Scary
Those who developed a chronic fear for heights should obviously not jump until they have dealt with that phobia, but a healthy fear of heights is actually common, and rarely a limiting factor. The reason for that is the unique atmosphere that awaits these people in the clouds. They can imagine what it’s like to stand on a tall ladder or looking down from a bridge, and they are often afraid of these situations because they have experienced them, meaning they can imagine it. Up there it is entirely different and because of that unique, almost surreal atmosphere, most first timers will not even realize the height.
Jumping Out of an Airplane Rarely Makes Anyone Sick
Many first time jumpers dread the possibility of being sick during the free fall, but this rarely happens. If it does, it’s because of the nerves, and not because of the fall itself. It is much more likely to become sick while sitting on a rollercoaster. The ascending phase starts gradually, and once the body reaches a certain speed, the whole experience becomes even smoother. Experienced divers can even reach terminal velocity.
Breathing is Not a Problem
In addition to the thought of getting sick, many first time jumpers are afraid that they will not be able to breathe. Any skydiving expert would tell that these concerns are unfounded. Skydivers, who panic, often hold their breath and that’s the real reason why some people experience the phenomenon of not being able to breathe. Once they consciously realize this, the whole experience changes.
Chad Clift is a professional chef and avid skydiving enthusiast who has completed his fair share of jumps both in the tandem and solo varieties.
Sources:
https://www.groupon.com/articles/skydiving-tips-for-beginners
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/JianHuang.shtml
Chad Clift 