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How scary is skydiving?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 18, 2026

Simply put, the actual skydive (the free fall) doesn't feel scary because you don't feel out of control. Unlike a rollercoaster where you're being rocked and jostled, the free fall is smooth. There aren't sensations of plummeting to earth uncontrollably and you don't get ground rush.

Should you be scared to skydive?

The truth is that you can breathe in freefall and rather than feeling like falling, it feels like you're cushioned by the air. Everyone will have a different experience but the vast majority love it and would do it again. Bottom line… it's better to go skydiving scared than not at all!

What is the scariest part of skydiving?

The door opens, your skin tingles from the brisk feel of the air at 13,000ft, and if it wasn't before, it's real now! This part of the skydive lasts roughly three seconds. The hardest part is stepping up. This is the final push.

Do you feel the drop when skydiving?

Because the delta between your horizontal and vertical speed does not increase drastically, you do not experience a stomach drop when you skydive. Furthermore, the freefall portion of a skydive doesn't feel much like falling at all. Rather, it feels like you are resting, supported on a column of air.

Do you scream when you skydive?

Absolutely. Don't feel embarrassed if you accidentally let out a shriek while you're plummeting toward the ground. A common misconception about skydiving is that you cannot breath during free fall, so we actually encourage screaming to make breathing seem easier for you.

29 related questions found

Is skydiving worth the risk?

Skydiving isn't without risk, but is much safer than you might expect. According to statistics by the United States Parachute Association, in 2018 there were a total of 13 skydiving-related fatalities out of approximately 3.3 million jumps!

How do you breathe while skydiving?

You can breathe while skydiving. The key is to relax, breathe through your nose, and out through your mouth. It's that simple! Exiting an airplane literally takes your breath away to the point that many people hold their breath, but you can indeed breathe and there will be plenty of oxygen in the air.

Is skydiving scarier than roller coasters?

While a roller coaster is designed to push your body to its limits, skydiving is a much smoother, much freer experience. It's hard to describe, but if a roller coaster was the ocean, it would be choppy and rough, whereas a skydiving is like a serene lake, much calmer and almost tranquil.

How long does a skydive last?

Generally speaking, you can expect a skydive to take 2 - 4 hours from start to finish, beginning when you arrive at a dropzone. The truth is, the answers to these big questions aren't always the same. There are a few factors that'll influence how long your skydive will last.

Does skydiving change your life?

Build Lasting Friendships. While the adrenaline rush from a skydive will fade, through skydiving, you gain friendships that will not. Skydiving changes your life because it brings new people into it to share experiences with. After jumping, you'll find out that a 'skydive family' is a real thing.

How scary is skydiving for the first time?

The fear of the unknown is the main thing that makes people feel nervous when skydiving for the first time. It's an experience unlike any other, and you simply don't know what to expect if you haven't done it before. Some people liken skydiving to being on a roller coaster.

What should you not do when skydiving?

  1. Don't Eat Too Much, or Too Little. Eat too little and your head might be in the clouds before you even board the plane. ...
  2. Don't Skimp on Sleep. Whatever you were planning to do into the night before your jump, just don't. ...
  3. Don't Overindulge.

Is skydiving hard to land on?

While skydiving is always a risk, the landing is controlled by the parachute, so you should not experience any pain. Most skydiving landings are gentle, and the skydiver touches down either on their feet or on their bottom.

What does a skydive feel like?

It feels more like flying than falling. It's very windy, loud, and intense. Your adrenaline is pumping and your senses come alive. Skydiving is quite breathtaking and gives you a refreshing, incredible perspective on the world.

How do you mentally prepare for skydiving?

Pre-Jump Skydiving Anxiety

  1. Visit the Dropzone. If you are able, take a trip to the dropzone before your scheduled skydive. Sit and observe. ...
  2. Visualize. Before your jump, check out videos of the type of skydiving you will be doing. ...
  3. Don't Forget the Physical. The mind-body connection is quite strong.

Can parachutes fail?

Even seemingly properly packed parachutes can fail, with one in every 1,000 parachutes not always operating at 100% efficiency. With these stats in mind, skydiving professionals know better to never trust just one chute with their life. That's why tandem skydivers typically descend with three parachutes.

Does skydiving hurt your back?

Many people who suffer from back pain do skydive, and there are others who have experienced discomfort to their backs during a skydive. Each person's condition should be treated on an individual basis.

How fast do you land when skydiving?

An average parachute has a vertical descent rate of around 17mph (although much faster and sportier ones are available) with a glide ratio of 1:1.

Is skydiving or bungee jumping scarier?

Bungee jumping is definitely scarier… and still tons of fun!

How does it feel to skydive for the first time?

Skydiving is windy, adrenaline pumping and intense.

By the time your parachute opens your brain was just getting used to the feeling of freefall. It is over before you are ready for it to be and it's hard to clearly remember exactly what just happened.

Can you use your phone while skydiving?

You can take as many pictures as you want on the ground before and after your jump. However, you may not bring a camera, phone, GoPro, Selfie Stick, etc. for your skydive. There is too much risk associated with you bringing your own; it's best left to the pros.

Why can't I breathe during skydiving?

Your mind and body are in sensory overload, so some first-time jumpers unconsciously hold their breath as they exit the airplane. In addition, there's a lot of wind rushing into your face as you dive toward the ground at 120 mph, so you might instinctively want to keep your mouth closed and hold your breath.

Why do you pass out when skydiving?

The thing is that it's very uncommon--and pretty much always preventable! People who pass out on a tandem skydive usually made one of the following mistakes: They didn't eat a nutritious meal of moderate size before they made their jump. They pushed forward with a planned skydive even though they were feeling unwell.

How many deaths a year are from skydiving?

Results. Among the almost 6.2 million jumps performed by 519,620 skydivers over 10 years between 2010 and 2019, 35 deaths and 3015 injuries were reported, corresponding to 0.57 deaths (95%CI 0.38 to 0.75) and 49 injuries (95%CI 47.0 to 50.1) per 100,000 jumps.

Who shouldn't skydive?

The three most common medical reasons not to skydive involve high blood pressure and heart health concerns, spine and neck issues, and pregnancy.

  • High Blood Pressure / Heart Problems. According to the CDC, nearly 116 million (that's 47% of the population) have high blood pressure. ...
  • Neck and Back Issues. ...
  • Pregnancy.