But here\u2019s the thing: with each jump, skydiving becomes more familiar and our skills improve. Logically, we should<\/em> be less scared. But often\u2026 we\u2019re not. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t let emotions overrule logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve made between 5 and 10 jumps. You are light years<\/em> 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\u2019t had a malfunction yet, but you know what a good parachute looks like, you\u2019ve drilled your emergency procedures in your sleep, and you\u2019re prepared to handle them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t 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<\/em> be more confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just because you feel<\/em> scared doesn\u2019t mean you should<\/em> be scared. Ask yourself: \u201cWhat am I actually afraid of? Do the facts back it up?\u201d If the answer is no, trust your training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t always the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a few minutes before exit. You\u2019re breathing heavily, heart pounding, brow sweating, and fingers buzzing. You\u2019re terrified\u2026 or are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those same physiological sensations we interpret as fear are also signs of heightened readiness. Your body is priming itself for peak performance \u2014 increasing strength, speed, and mental sharpness. Don\u2019t automatically label it as fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breathe slowly, calm yourself, and remind yourself you\u2019re ready. Because you are. The facts and your training back it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t 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\u2019re going to love how it feels and how you perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read more about fear in Dan’s highly regarded book, Above All Else<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08-09-2025-134-1024x922.jpg\")
The \u201cSpock Effect\u201d: Logic vs. Emotion<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Kristian-Caulder-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Coell Studios <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs It Fear or Readiness?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Turning Fear Into an Asset<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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