Chad
Cliff is an avid extreme sports enthusiast who has completed more than
two dozen jumps, some of them in tandem. Skydiving for the first time
can be an overwhelming experience. The conscious mind wants the
adventure, but the body’s fight or flight system is often triggered
during the endeavor. This results in a sudden rush of adrenalin that can
be quite off-putting if one is not ready for it. That is also the main
reason why nobody should jump solo for the first time. There is no
telling how someone will react, even if they are the most confident,
brave person in the world.
You Don’t Have to Possess an Innate Athletic Ability
Skydiving
doesn’t require too much athletic ability, only good health. In fact,
one doesn’t even have to be in a particularly good shape. Gravity does
the lion’s share of the work. With that said, weight limits are fairly
common, their maximum often being set at 200 pounds. There are
exceptions; when someone is really tall but generally in good shape,
most companies will allow them to jump.
The Height Is Not That Scary
Those
who developed a chronic fear for heights should obviously not jump
until they have dealt with that phobia, but a healthy fear of heights is
actually common, and rarely a limiting factor. The reason for that is
the unique atmosphere that awaits these people in the clouds. They can
imagine what it’s like to stand on a tall ladder or looking down from a
bridge, and they are often afraid of these situations because they have
experienced them, meaning they can imagine it. Up there it is entirely
different and because of that unique, almost surreal atmosphere, most
first timers will not even realize the height.
Jumping Out of an Airplane Rarely Makes Anyone Sick
Many
first time jumpers dread the possibility of being sick during the free
fall, but this rarely happens. If it does, it’s because of the nerves,
and not because of the fall itself. It is much more likely to become
sick while sitting on a rollercoaster. The ascending phase starts
gradually, and once the body reaches a certain speed, the whole
experience becomes even smoother. Experienced divers can even reach
terminal velocity.
Breathing is Not a Problem
In
addition to the thought of getting sick, many first time jumpers are
afraid that they will not be able to breathe. Any skydiving expert would
tell that these concerns are unfounded. Skydivers, who panic, often
hold their breath and that’s the real reason why some people experience
the phenomenon of not being able to breathe. Once they consciously
realize this, the whole experience changes.
Chad Clift is a professional chef and avid skydiving enthusiast who has
completed his fair share of jumps both in the tandem and solo varieties.
