Is It Okay to Eat Before Skydiving?

If you’ve just Googled “Can I eat before my skydive?”, it’s likely because you’re worried – worried about throwing up!

This query is one of the most common we receive and, if you follow our guidance, we can assure you a great skydiving experience without blowing chunks! Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about what and when to eat before your skydive!

Yes! Definitely eat before making your skydive! Eating before skydiving is the best way to avoid feeling nauseated during the experience. It may seem counterintuitive, but most people who get ill during a skydive do so because they haven’t eaten. Generally, meals are skipped because people are fearful of throwing up – oh the irony!

Keep it light! Remember the celebratory meal should come after your jump and not before! Stopping at Chris’ for breakfast on the way to the dropzone will do you no favors unless you plan to skip the pancakes (but then why go to Chris’ if you have to do that?). The goal is to arrive at the dropzone satiated but not full. A bowl of oatmeal, fruit, and toast are your best bet. If you’re going to have eggs, have two and not four! You get the idea – eat sensibly.

We recommend eating at normal times, but the bottom line is don’t skip a meal. Please note, Skydive St. Louis doesn’t have an on-site café or restaurant, so be sure to eat before you arrive at our facility. Ideally, eat at least an hour before you arrive at the dropzone so you’ve had some time to digest your food. We recommend bringing healthy snacks and of course water. Stay hydrated (second mention to hydration in this post … it’s kind of important).

The single greatest reason for getting sick on a skydive is the sudden drop in blood sugar. During the skydive, adrenaline levels soar and if you’ve got nothing in the tank to support that adrenaline surge you’ll feel depleted right away and thus super pukey. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Also, patience is required when skydiving because nothing ever goes precisely to plan as it relates to a time schedule. Being that skydiving is directly tied to the condition of wind, rain, fog and clouds, it’s probable that your skydive will be delayed. Patience isn’t exactly a virtue when you’re h-angry. Don’t be a diva – this is supposed to be one of the greatest days of your life and patience is needed when dealing with elements we can’t control.

Imagine how it feels when you’re racing down that first big hill on a roller coaster and your stomach leaves your abdomen and wedges into your throat … you will not feel that sensation on a skydive. This “sick feeling” occurs because of the acceleration from 0 mph (top of the hill) to 45mph (down the hill). During a skydive, you’ll be leaving a plane that’s moving at 100 mph and quickly transitioning to 120 mph in free fall. If you feel your stomach move, it’s only momentary and barely noticeable.

This is a big no-no. We ask all of our guests not to consume alcohol within 12 hours of their check-in time. Guests who appear to be inebriated or hungover will be prohibited from making a skydive. Everyone who skydives must participate during their jump (this isn’t a ride-along experience) and so it’s important that everyone is clear-headed and hydrated. You’ll notice we like to keep the humor in our blog posts, but this item ain’t got no joke – we’re serious. Shoot!

But you’re free to celebrate after your skydive! 😉

We’ve added this section because it’s a common question, and the answer isn’t what you think. Very few people ever actually throw up during the free fall of a skydive. If our guests ever get sick it typically occurs in one of two scenarios: a) they’ve ignored all of the advice above, and/or b) after the parachute has opened.

Once the parachute deploys and you’re sitting in the harness, the gentle ride can be tough for folks who either suffer from motion sickness or who haven’t eaten. For the latter, your body’s senses, cells, nerves, synapses … every part of you … is in complete overdrive. At this moment, you need some energy to keep your wits about you or you know what happens: retch-city!

Many experienced skydivers who suffer from motion sickness on planes or boats are able to jump. Of course, everyone has a different level of sensitivity. If you’re concerned about being motion sick, consider over-the-counter meds like Bonine or wear a ReliefBand that magically lessen feelings of nausea.

Our lawyer would also like for us to tell you to consult with your physician when using any kind of medication or device to treat nausea – we’re just skydivers and not doctors after all!

• Eat a light meal before your skydive

• Eat an hour before your scheduled check-in time

• Arrive at the dropzone satiated, but not “stuffed”

• Stay hydrated

• Don’t drink alcohol within 12 hours of your jump time

• Don’t arrive at the dropzone hungover

• If suffering from nausea, consult your physician about taking Bonine or wearing a ReliefBand

• Bring snacks and water with you to the dropzone

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