Can You Pass Out While Skydiving?

Skydiving is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling and liberating experiences a person can have in their lifetime. The idea of stepping out of an aircraft thousands of feet in the air is not only symbolic for so many milestone accomplishments in your life, but it’s a feeling like no other. For many, skydiving is the ultimate bucket list adventure. But, if you’re considering doing it yourself, you may have some questions and concerns.

Skydiving can be an overwhelming experience for some – the sensory overload, jumping from an unprecedented height, and trusting in gear and a stranger to get you safely back on the ground. These are all reasons why one of the most common questions we get at Skydive STL is “Can you pass out while skydiving?”

Let’s explore the answer and address some key concerns so you can approach your jump with confidence, excitement, and peace of mind.

Yes, it is possible to pass out while skydiving. Passing out, fainting, or losing consciousness during a tandem skydive, is a rare occurrence. And, good news, it is usually caused by specific and avoidable factors.

Most first-time skydivers are nervous, which is perfectly normal and expected. The thing to keep in mind is that skydiving is a highly structured activity with many safety measures in place – from every inch of gear you use to the clothing you’re permitted to wear (yes, even the shoes on your feet can impact safety). We consider every risk and do our very best to mitigate them.

Is it Common to Faint While Skydiving? 

No – the overwhelming majority of people who jump, whether for their first time or fiftieth, stay fully conscious and alert for the entire experience. That said, a few things can increase the risk of fainting while in the sky:

Fear or Anxiety: An adrenaline rush can overwhelm someone who isn’t mentally prepared, triggering a skydiving fear response. Don’t worry, there are ways to overcome your fear of skydiving!

Improper Nutrition: Skipping meals before your jump can cause low blood sugar.

Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can make you dizzy or lightheaded.

Pre-existing Health Conditions: Conditions like low blood pressure or heart issues could contribute to fainting.

Being informed and taking care of your body and mind before your jump can make all the difference.

You can do several things to help avoid the possibility of passing out during your jump. These aren’t just recommendations – they’re best practices that every skydiver, especially first-timers, should know:

Eat a Balanced Meal

You might be tempted to skip breakfast on the day of your skydive due to fear of vomiting on your skydive. However, this is a HUGE mistake. Having low blood sugar or not having enough sustenance to combat the overdrive your body is about to go into, is quite frankly a recipe for disaster – and ironically, is more likely to make you throw up. We suggest eating something light and nutritious that typically makes you feel good (avocado toast, anyone?). Avoid heavy, greasy foods that usually make you feel lethargic and icky. Whatever you do, just do not jump on an empty stomach.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration plays a huge role in how your body reacts to adrenaline. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and yes, even fainting. Drink water throughout the day leading up to your skydive, but avoid over-hydrating (yes, that’s a thing) or chugging a ton of water right before you jump. We recommend bringing a water bottle and snacks with you on the day of your scheduled skydive.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Your body and brain need rest to handle the physical, emotional, and mental excitement of skydiving. Showing up as your best self, well-rested – bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – will help your body regulate your adrenaline levels and keep you feeling as calm and in control as possible. Your body will thank you!

Breathe

Nervous breathing can lead to hyperventilation or shallow intake, which may increase your chance of feeling faint. The 120 mph winds can feel intense for some people, but it does not prevent you from breathing.

How Do You Breathe When Skydiving?

One of the most common experiences that first-time jumpers have is feeling like they can’t breathe during freefall. In fact, you can absolutely breathe during freefall – there’s plenty of air up there!

Practice slow, deep breaths – in through the nose, and forcefully out through the mouth, feeling your belly contract as you breath out. This technique is especially helpful as you gear up and board the aircraft. Trying to hold your breath during freefall or panicking about breathing can make you feel faint – but if you stay calm and focus on your breath, you’ll be amazed at how natural it feels to breathe in freefall.

If you happen to pass out during a tandem jump, rest assured that your instructor is trained to handle the situation calmly and efficiently. Your instructor will recognize the signs immediately and do whatever is necessary in that moment to get you back on the ground. You will be secured and stable during canopy flight, under the great care of your instructor.

You are tightly harnessed to your instructor and they remain fully in control at all times. In most cases, people who faint during freefall end up waking up during the parachute ride and are fully conscious for landing.

What Happens if Your Skydiving Instructor Passes Out?

While extremely rare, skydiving instructors are humans too and could possibly faint during a jump. This is where the amazing Automatic Activation Device (AAD) comes into play.

What is an AAD? An AAD is a small computerized device built into the skydiving rig. Its job is to measure barometric pressure and automatically deploy the reserve parachute if the system detects that a jumper is still falling at freefall speed below a preset altitude. This system is in place in all tandem skydiving rigs.

In short, even if an instructor were to faint (again, incredibly rare), the equipment itself is designed to deploy the parachute and bring you back to the ground as safely as possible.

Can You Skydive if You Have Panic Attacks?

Many people who deal with extreme anxiety or panic attacks worry about how they’ll react to the stress of skydiving. Here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and skydiving instructors are trained to help you work through your anxiety every step of the way!

If you’ve experienced panic attacks in the past, talk to your doctor first and make sure you are cleared for skydiving. Let the dropzone know about your concerns, focus on their safety guidelines, and trust in them to professionally handle the situation. Practice your breathing techniques ahead of time and consider visiting the dropzone before your jump to get acquainted with the new environment. Reach out to other people who have jumped with the same concerns and listen to how they coped.

In many cases, skydiving can actually be an empowering and transformative experience for people who deal with anxiety. You may find that facing your fear and completing a jump builds a new sense of confidence and control that you can use in your daily life!

Whether you’re facing your fear, celebrating a milestone, or just seeking the ultimate thrill – we’re here to guide you through it all. Book your tandem skydive with Skydive STL today and see what you’re capable of when you soar beyond your limits. You’ve got this!