Fear Isn’t the Enemy…It’s Your Edge
Our first jump is the ultimate leap of faith. No matter how much we’ve researched skydiving, read every article, and watched hundreds of videos, we forget it all when the door opens and it suddenly gets real.
It’s impossible to imagine what it’s going to be like. Freefall feels, looks, sounds, smells, and tastes like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. That first jump is the definition of sensory overload, the adrenaline rush of a lifetime and, yes, scary as hell.
Over the years, I’ve spoken to many new jumpers trying to get a handle on that fear. They often think instructors and experienced skydivers were never as scared as they are. Since they feel so afraid, they start to wonder if this sport is even for them. It’s almost comical. You should be scared, you’re jumping out of an airplane!
But here’s the thing: with each jump, skydiving becomes more familiar and our skills improve. Logically, we should be less scared. But often… we’re not. Why?
The “Spock Effect”: Logic vs. Emotion
Don’t let emotions overrule logic.
Let’s say you’ve made between 5 and 10 jumps. You are light years ahead of where you were on your first jump. You know how to get stable, track your altitude, deploy your parachute, and land safely. You haven’t had a malfunction yet, but you know what a good parachute looks like, you’ve drilled your emergency procedures in your sleep, and you’re prepared to handle them.
If you don’t feel ready, practice more until you do. But the facts show you have much less to fear than you did with zero to three jumps. Logic says you should be more confident.
Just because you feel scared doesn’t mean you should be scared. Ask yourself: “What am I actually afraid of? Do the facts back it up?” If the answer is no, trust your training.
I remember my first balloon jump, after 10,000 skydives. We were at 6,000 feet in the desert, with a wide-open landing area below. There was nothing to fear. But I was terrified. When I looked past the feelings and examined the facts, I realized there was no logical reason for it. The takeaway? Feelings aren’t always the truth.
Photo by Coell Studios
Is It Fear or Readiness?
It’s a few minutes before exit. You’re breathing heavily, heart pounding, brow sweating, and fingers buzzing. You’re terrified… or are you?
Those same physiological sensations we interpret as fear are also signs of heightened readiness. Your body is priming itself for peak performance — increasing strength, speed, and mental sharpness. Don’t automatically label it as fear.
Breathe slowly, calm yourself, and remind yourself you’re ready. Because you are. The facts and your training back it up.
Turning Fear Into an Asset
Don’t be scared of feeling scared. Fear can be your friend. Use logic to keep emotions in check. Breathe deeply and channel those sensations into focus, calmness, and strength. You’re going to love how it feels and how you perform.
You can read more about fear in Dan’s highly regarded book, Above All Else.
