Does skydiving make your stomach drop? You know the feeling, the one you get when the roller coaster is at the top of the climb and is just about to hurdle down the track at 70 miles per hour? That sinking feeling — the stomach drop can make your day go from great to sickening at any moment. This is the case for when it comes to skydiving. Many people believe that their stomach will drop when they take a step out of the plane. But does skydiving make your stomach drop? No, skydiving does not make your stomach drop. This article will go over why you shouldn’t worry before taking that leap.
Does Skydiving Make Your Stomach Drop?
On your first time skydiving, you will probably wonder whether the sudden jump from thousands of feet in the air will force your breakfast or lunch right back up. Things like what to eat or drink before the jump suddenly get into the spotlight, since no one wants to hurl their half-digested meals all over themselves and their diving instructor during their first jump. Like we’ve said, however, if it’s that stomach drop feeling you’re dreading, the chances of experiencing it are pretty slim.
Here’s Why —
On a rollercoaster, the surprise element is what turns your insides out. One minute you’re almost at a complete standstill at the top of the climb, the next you’re barreling down spiraling tracks at breakneck speeds, and all the while, your brain can see the ground rushing up to greet you. The first thing you should put in mind is that the experience is a lot different when skydiving. In skydiving, there is no sudden burst of speed. Once you’re on the plane, you’re already traveling pretty fast, and when you jump, the only difference is that you’ll be traveling vertically instead of horizontally.
What’s more, with skydiving, your brain isn’t quite capable of fathoming the distance between yourself and the ground. Not even the highest roller coaster drop can compare to the feeling of falling from 13,500 feet in the sky. The only other time you’d typically reach heights like this is when traveling by plane, and it is not often that you get to jump off mid-flight now, is it?
As a result, your brain isn’t quite able to interpret your distance from the ground, so rather than a stomach drop feeling, you will feel like you’re floating through the air, not dropping like a rock.
What Should You Eat Before Diving?
This brings us to the next commonly asked question by first-time skydivers— what should you eat on your first dive?
A diet change isn’t really necessary when you go skydiving for the first time. Eat what you’d normally eat; a nice breakfast, a decent lunch, a light snack—whatever you prefer. You are more likely to be affected by the jump if you switch diets abruptly just before the jump because your body will have to deal with the extra strain of adapting to strange food.
Also, don’t reach for the bottle just before you skydive. Not only is it very illegal to skydive while intoxicated (not that you will even be allowed on the plane if you show up drunk), but alcohol can also make you feel queasier.
So why not skip a meal before the jump, you ask? Because the lower your blood sugar is on your first jump, the higher the chances of you passing out long before your feet touch the ground. At Skydive Amelia Island, we strongly encourage you to eat what you’d normally eat and not to imbibe any alcoholic drinks before your jump.
Next Steps
So, does skydiving make your stomach drop? There is no risk of feeling the stomach drop effect when jumping from thousands of feet in the air, so you can enjoy the most thrilling experience of your life with peace of mind. Have fun!
