Skydiving is often described as the ultimate adrenaline rush—a heart-pounding experience that involves free-falling from thousands of feet in the air before pulling the parachute to make a soft landing. But like any extreme sport, skydiving comes with its own set of physical challenges, and one of the most commonly asked questions by beginners is: What happens if you throw up while skydiving?
While throwing up during a skydive is not a frequent occurrence, it is a legitimate concern for some first-time jumpers. The excitement, the fear, and the physical sensations can trigger a range of reactions, including nausea. In this article, we will explore the potential causes of nausea and vomiting while skydiving, how you can prevent it, and what to expect if it happens during your jump.
Understanding The Physical Experience of Skydiving
Before diving into the specifics of what happens if you throw up, it’s important to understand what the body goes through during a skydive. The physical experience of jumping out of an airplane is intense, both mentally and physically.
The Initial Leap: A Surge of Adrenaline
The first moments of a skydive are filled with an intense surge of adrenaline. As you step out of the plane and begin to freefall, your body experiences a rapid change in environment. The body is subject to increased air pressure, rapid acceleration, and high-speed winds, all of which can affect your equilibrium.
For many people, the initial freefall can feel disorienting. The body may not immediately adjust to the sensation of falling at speeds of up to 120 mph (193 km/h), leading to nausea or dizziness. The excitement of the jump and the fear of the unknown can also trigger an increased heart rate and adrenaline rush, which might contribute to feelings of nausea.
The Calm After the Fall: The Parachute Opens
After the freefall, when the parachute is deployed, the situation changes dramatically. Suddenly, you shift from the rush of freefall to a calmer, more serene descent. However, the transition can also cause a brief disorientation as your body adjusts to the slower pace. This change in velocity and body position may further contribute to nausea, particularly if you haven’t acclimated to the sensation of free-falling.
The combination of these factors—high-speed freefall, changes in altitude, and a sudden shift in motion—can lead to an upset stomach for some jumpers. But what should you do if you feel like you’re about to throw up? Let’s explore this in more detail.
Causes of Nausea and Vomiting While Skydiving
Nausea and vomiting while skydiving can be caused by several factors. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes.
Fear and Anxiety
For first-time jumpers, fear and anxiety are major contributing factors to nausea. The thought of jumping out of an airplane at such a high altitude can trigger a stress response in the body. This fear response activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones. The body’s fight-or-flight response can manifest as an upset stomach, dizziness, and even nausea.
In extreme cases, intense fear may cause a person to feel overwhelmed, leading to vomiting. The physiological response to fear can cause blood to be redirected from the stomach and digestive organs, leaving the stomach feeling unsettled.
Motion Sickness
Just like in a car or boat, motion sickness can affect skydivers during the freefall. The body is in rapid motion, and the inner ear (which helps maintain balance) may get confused by the sudden changes in speed and direction. This confusion between what the eyes see (falling rapidly) and what the inner ear senses (a change in motion) can lead to motion sickness, causing nausea and potentially vomiting.
Physical Exertion and G-Forces
Skydiving also involves physical exertion, especially during the freefall and the parachute opening sequence. The body can experience G-forces—the force of gravity exerted on the body during rapid acceleration or deceleration. When you jump out of the plane, you may feel the pressure of the G-forces as you accelerate to terminal velocity, which can be jarring for some people and contribute to nausea.
The sudden deceleration when the parachute opens can also lead to a feeling of physical discomfort, which may result in an upset stomach or vomiting. The body needs to quickly adjust to the change in speed, which can create a disorienting feeling for some.
Unfamiliarity with the Experience
Many first-time jumpers are unfamiliar with the physical sensations that come with skydiving. This lack of familiarity can cause feelings of anxiety and nausea, especially if the person is not mentally prepared for the intensity of the jump. A person who is overly focused on the fear of vomiting may also experience psychosomatic symptoms, where the anxiety of potentially throwing up can actually trigger nausea.
What Happens If You Do Throw
Up While Skydiving?
While throwing up during a skydive is certainly not common, it is important to understand what happens if it does occur.
The Risk of Vomiting During Freefall
If you vomit during the freefall portion of your skydive, it may be more of an inconvenience than a safety risk. The good news is that tandem skydiving instructors are trained to handle such situations and are equipped to manage any issues that may arise during the jump.
In the unlikely event of vomiting during freefall, the wind resistance will cause the vomit to be pushed away from the body.
However, the gusts of wind and the rapid speed of the freefall might cause some of it to remain in the immediate vicinity.
This could make the jump uncomfortable, but it is generally not dangerous. If you’re tandem skydiving, the instructor is responsible for managing the situation and ensuring that you are safe.
Vomiting After Parachute Deployment
If you vomit after the parachute has been deployed, the situation is a bit more manageable. Since you’re no longer falling at high speed, the wind pressure is reduced, and the vomit is less likely to affect you or your equipment. Many skydivers report that the calmer descent once the parachute is deployed helps to reduce nausea. In fact, many find that the peaceful glide under the canopy makes it easier to relax and avoid any further discomfort.
Cleaning Up the Situation
Skydiving instructors and staff are trained to respond to a variety of scenarios. If you throw up, the team on the ground will typically be prepared to assist you. In some cases, they may have provisions for cleaning up the situation upon landing, such as spare clothing and access to bathrooms.
How It Affects Your Jump
Vomiting does not pose a significant safety risk during skydiving. However, it can impact your overall experience. It’s important to remain as relaxed as possible and communicate with your instructor if you feel any discomfort. In the rare event that vomiting becomes uncontrollable, it’s advisable to notify your instructor or the staff on the ground as soon as possible.
Preventing Nausea and Vomiting During Skydiving
While throwing up during a skydive isn’t common, it’s still helpful to know how to reduce your risk of nausea and vomiting before and during the jump.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Lightly
Dehydration and an empty stomach can increase the likelihood of nausea during skydiving. It’s important to stay hydrated and eat a light meal before your jump. However, avoid heavy or greasy foods, as these can make you feel sluggish and more prone to nausea.
Manage Anxiety and Fear
If you’re feeling anxious about the jump, try to manage your stress before the skydive. Breathing exercises, visualization techniques, and focusing on the excitement of the jump rather than the fear can help ease anxiety. The calmer you are, the less likely you are to experience nausea.
Consider Motion Sickness Prevention
If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking anti-motion sickness medication before your jump. Speak with your instructor beforehand, as they may also have advice on how to minimize the chances of nausea.
Choose a Professional Instructor
The experience of your instructor plays a key role in ensuring that your jump goes smoothly. An experienced tandem instructor will guide you through the jump, providing you with the necessary training and support to help you feel as comfortable as possible.
Conclusion
While vomiting during skydiving is rare, it is important to understand what can trigger nausea and how to mitigate it.
Whether it’s the physical sensations of freefall, the excitement of the jump, or the anxiety of the experience, being prepared for the possibilities will help you stay calm and focused during your skydive.
Remember that throwing up during skydiving doesn’t pose a significant danger to your safety. However, it can make the experience less enjoyable. By staying hydrated, eating light, managing your anxiety, and trusting your instructor, you can reduce the chances of experiencing nausea and fully enjoy the thrill of skydiving.