Should I Go Skydiving?

Going skydiving is a life changing experience for sure, but it’s also a monumental decision for some people. If you’re afraid of heights or of a certain age, the very thought of exiting an aircraft and falling toward the ground at 120 mph scares the bejeezus out of you, then you might be in the “Should I go skydiving???” camp. 

If you’ve taken every Should I Go Skydiving? quiz there is, and you’re still no closer to the answer, don’t stress. The truth is, nearly everyone is a little apprehensive about making the decision to go skydiving whether they want to admit it or not!

So, should you go skydiving? We’re going to break down everything there is to consider when trying to decide if you’re ready to take the leap or not, so let’s go! 

Why Skydiving?

The best way to decide whether or not skydiving is for you is to focus on that one little word: WHY should you go skydiving? Well, if you ask us, there are a ton of reasons to take to the sky:

• to experience an adventure
• to feel empowered
• to break out of the norm / your comfort zone
• to have a ton of fun
• to challenge yourself
• to create a memory with friends that will bond you together

Skydiving is a life-changing experience that will forever change your outlook. You’ll walk away from your jump feeling more confident, capable, and with memories that will last a lifetime.

And believe us when we say that nearly everyone is super-nervous or downright scared – some are just better at acting than others! So what are we saying here? Don’t let your fear stop you from making a skydive, as fear is completely natural – you’re jumping out of a plane for heaven sakes! If your heart doesn’t skip a beat, there might be something wrong!

Common Concerns

We’ve heard every concern in the book. Let’s look into some of the most common. 

Skydiving Safety

Probably the most common concern regarding skydiving is safety. We’re not going to pretend that there aren’t risks involved in jumping out of airplanes for fun – there are. But decades of research and development and adherence to very strict regulations has resulted in a culture that’s extremely risk averse. We do everything we can to mitigate the risks of jumping, and any skydiver will tell you that the most fun part of skydiving is getting to do it again and again.

Fear of Heights

This one is actually less of an issue than you might guess. Sure, you’re going to find yourself thousands of feet above the ground during your skydive. But that’s actually so high up that your brain doesn’t process the height. Most of the skydive will feel so surreal that it shouldn’t trigger a fear of heights. And the parts that do feel a little on the edge are a great way to get over that fear. There are actually a surprisingly high number of experienced skydivers that are extremely afraid of heights!

I’m a Parent

If you have kids that depend on you, this is a worthwhile question to ask. Skydiving isn’t without risk – the question parents need to weigh is whether the risk is manageable. Skydiving fatalities are often sensationalized in the news because it guarantees high clicks and people like a dramatic story. If you look at the safety statistics, you’ll see that the chances of getting struck by lightning are greater than dying from a tandem skydive. Every day that we get into our cars, we take a risk. Is the risk of skydiving a manageable one? Only you can answer that!

Health & Mobility

Perhaps your brain and (proverbial) heart want you to skydive, but you’re not so sure about your body. While you are a passenger during a tandem skydive, you do have some responsibilities to help with a safe freefall and landing. You’ll need to be able to hold an arch, lift your legs straight out in front of you, and weigh less than 250 lbs. Cardiovascular and bone health are also important to staying safe throughout your jump.

If you’re unsure, definitely check with your physician. We aren’t in a position to give medical advice, but we would be happy to chat with you about this if you have any concerns.

I’m Too Old To Skydive

We hear this a lot and, if we’re being honest, it’s not a great excuse! We’ve hosted people well into their 90s, and the current world record for oldest person to skydive is held by Al Blaschke at 106 years old! It’s not about your age, but about your health and your spirit for adventure! 

When Should You Not Go Skydiving

We’ve been doing this a long time and we’ve recognized a pattern with regard to those that love skydiving and don’t. If you are feeling outside pressure to go skydiving, then we recommend that you not do it. Skydiving is an extremely personal decision and should only be experienced as something you want to do. Do this for you and no one else!

Certain medical conditions can also be prohibitive when jumping out of airplanes, like cardiovascular issues and joint problems. Most things can be worked through, but it’s important to consult a medical professional before deciding to jump if you’re unsure. 

Skydiving isn’t for everyone, but don’t let fear or age get in the way of you participating in this awesome adventure! Weigh the risks and your health and then ask yourself, am I doing this for me?
Have questions? Call us at 631-351-5867 or send us an email. We’d love to answer your questions. And if this article has you wanting to go, here’s the link to make a booking: let’s do this!!