How To Breathe While Skydiving

Key Takeaways
You can breathe normally while skydiving, even during the 120 mph freefall; the sensation of rushing air can simply make breathing feel unfamiliar at first. Slow, controlled breathing, especially deep belly breaths, can help reduce tension and keep you calm before and during your jump. Exhaling on exit, breathing through your nose, and keeping your chin up can make it easier to breathe comfortably in freefall. Staying hydrated, well-fed, and relaxed can also help reduce the risk of feeling lightheaded or overwhelmed during your skydive.

Many people wonder, can you breathe while skydiving? The answer is: yes! And understanding how to breathe while skydiving is a great way to quiet some of the fears you may have before even getting into the airplane. 

The most common reason jumpers feel out of breath is because they instinctively hold it during the adrenaline rush of exiting the airplane. To breathe easily in a 120 mph wind, inhale slowly through your nose, keep your chin up facing the horizon, and exhale by screaming or smiling.

Not being able to breathe is a common misconception, but there’s plenty of oxygen to go around, even thousands of feet above the Earth. In fact, taking regular, measured breaths is a fantastic way to manage the anxiety and sensory overload of jumping out of a perfectly good plane.

Why Does It Feel Hard to Breathe in Freefall?

One of the reasons that people think you can’t breathe while skydiving is because of the intensity of the exit and the resulting instinct to hold your breath. When your body and mind are under stress, everything tenses up and sometimes it feels natural to stop breathing momentarily. 

Another thing that contributes to the feeling of not being able to breathe is the 120 mph wind rushing by your face. It may shock you at first because of the brand new sensation, but don’t let it fool you – you can breathe through it!

How to Breathe While Skydiving: 4 Simple Tips

Is it hard to breathe while skydiving? It can be, but only if you don’t try well tested techniques. The good thing about tandem skydiving is that you won’t be alone while you do it … and you’re not the first person to jump out of a plane, either! You can benefit from techniques that those who have jumped before you learned by practicing:

• Exhale on Exit: As you leave the airplane door, take a deep breath and let out a big yell or scream. Screaming forces a full exhale, which naturally triggers an inhale and helps clear up any initial chest tightness.
  
• Breathe Through Your Nose: It can be difficult to inhale through your mouth due to the rushing air, so focus on inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Keep your jaw relaxed instead of clenching your teeth and your whole body will follow suit.
  
• Keep Your Chin Up: Looking straight down can build up air pressure in front of your face and create tunnel vision. Keep your chin up and look out toward the horizon to ensure smooth airflow over your nose and mouth. Looking ahead also lets wind flow around your face and helps you enjoy the feeling of flying, instead of falling!
• Try Deep Belly Breathing: Before you jump, practice calming breathing during the airplane ride by taking slow, rhythmic breaths that expand your stomach rather than your chest. Doing this before the door opens will get you into a good rhythm for the moment of truth!

Can You Pass Out While Skydiving? 

It is possible to pass out while skydiving, but it’s also rare and generally avoidable. Ironically, the stress response your body has to the idea of passing out is what could lead to actually passing out! Holding your breath is a big contributor because of the reduced oxygen to the brain. Dehydration and skipping meals can also work against you by lowering your blood sugar. 

Those who do faint usually do so after the parachute opens and the adrenaline rush fades. But taking care of yourself before and during the jump will greatly reduce the chances of passing out at any point. Make sure to eat a full and balanced meal the morning before your jump and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. And, when it’s time to jump, take deep breaths to focus your mind and help your body stay alert and calm. 

FAQs About Breathing and Skydiving

• Is it difficult to breathe while skydiving? Only if you make it hard! You may feel hesitant to breathe or like you’ve lost your breath, but remember, if you take a moment to center yourself and focus on your body, you’ll be breathing easy.
  
• How do skydivers breathe while freefalling? Experienced skydivers are so used to freefall that they don’t think anything of bodily functions like breathing during freefall. But they were new to skydiving once, and they employed techniques like deep, measured breaths through their nose, keeping their chin up, and yelling as needed.
  
• What to yell when skydiving? Anything you want! You can scream gibberish or yell what’s in your heart – no one can hear you!
  
• Can you talk while skydiving? The wind of freefall is too loud to be able to talk to your instructor, but once the parachute opens you’ll be able to have a full conversation with ease. 

Are you ready for a great big breath of fresh air? Book a tandem skydive at Wisconsin Skydiving Center! Blue skies!