Fear before a jump is normal
Fear of a parachute jump is completely natural — it is the body's defense reaction to something new and seemingly dangerous. Even experienced skydivers feel nervous before an unusual jump. The good news is that fear almost always disappears in the first seconds after leaving the plane, and euphoria takes its place.
Where does this fear come from?
- Fear of the unknown — you do not know what to expect
- Fear of heights (although in a plane and during freefall it is felt differently than on a balcony or ladder)
- A sense of lack of control — in tandem, you "hand over the controls" to the instructor
- Images fueled by films and stories
Fun fact: many people with a fear of heights in everyday life do not feel it at all during a jump — from that altitude, the brain has no point of reference to judge distance.
How to prepare mentally?
- Learn more — the more you know about the course of the jump, the less room there is for fear of the unknown
- Get a good night's sleep and avoid too much caffeine on the day of the jump
- Arrive with time to spare so you do not increase stress by rushing
- Focus on your breathing — a few calm, deep breaths really lower tension
Trust the instructor
In a tandem jump, the instructor is responsible for the entire technical side: exit, freefall, parachute deployment, and landing. They have hundreds or thousands of jumps behind them. Knowing that you are in the hands of a professional is one of the strongest ways to get used to fear.
What to do during the jump?
- Breathe — you can breathe normally during freefall
- Look at the horizon, not "down"
- Relax your shoulders and take the position shown by the instructor
- Scream if you feel like it — it is a great way to release tension
What if I change my mind in the plane?
That happens too, and there is nothing wrong with it. Tell the instructor about it. However, the vast majority of people who get past the first moment land with a huge smile and want to do it again.
A fear worth overcoming
A parachute jump is one of those experiences after which people say: "it's a shame I did not do this sooner." Overcoming your own fear can be just as satisfying as the jump itself.
Ready to turn fear into adrenaline?
Take the first step — choose a tandem jump date, and the instructor will take care of the rest.