Is Skydiving Scary?

Curious if skydiving is scary? The answer is a simple, completely confounding yes….and no. What is fear, really? At the most basic level, fear was an evolutionary mechanism that kept our hunter-gatherer ancestors safe. Was that rustling in the darkened bushes just the wind, or a prowling predator determined to catch a midnight snack? Early on, the unknown was analogous to the unsafe. Fear ensured our hominid predecessors would steer clear of such uncertainty, and by doing so, live to see another day and have the opportunity to continue his or her genetic line. 

Now, the role of fear has itself evolved. Instead of protecting us, many times modern fear limits us—often warping our perceptions and skewing our view. Some try to avoid the things they fear entirely, but what if we face them head-on instead of avoiding the things we fear?

Life isn’t without risk: we face it every day. From seemingly mundane daily commutes to jumping from a “perfectly good airplane,” there are risks to be weighed with every action we take. The question then becomes is it worth the risk? Those who know what skydiving feels like would heartily answer yes!

“He who has overcome his fear will truly be free.”

–Aristotle

How Scary Is Skydiving?

The actual “skydive” isn’t scary. After all, once you’re out of the plane, there’s no turning back. The scariest part is leading up to the jump. Our minds are powerful things and when left unchecked can run rampant with “what ifs?” In the case of skydiving fears, these frantic thoughts can often be kept in check by statistics.

We’re going to be honest with you. There is a chance you could die skydiving (that chance is roughly 1 in 500,000), but you are also far more likely to be struck by lightning (a chance of 1 in 153,000). It’s okay to be afraid. It’s how you handle the fear that matters.

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

–Jack Canfield

How To Overcome A Fear Of Skydiving

Knowledge is power, and a little bit of research can help assuage many skydiving fears. There are a lot of misconceptions out there, but a few Google searches can help clarify what happens on a skydive and the precautions that are in place. It can also be helpful to visit the dropzone ahead of time with no intention of jumping. As you watch people of all ages from 18-80 (and sometimes even older!), land with giant grins and a nearly palpable positivity, you’ll feel your fear abate. Anything that leaves people happy can’t be that bad.

Don’t let fear stand in your way. Schedule your tandem skydive today! Still have questions? That’s okay. We’re just one call away! Our friendly, helpful staff is happy to help answer any lingering questions you may have. More often than not, connecting with our skydiving professionals can help give you the boost of confidence you need to face your fears and take flight!

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

–Nelson Mandela