When approaching your first skydive, it’s easy to find out what you need to do in order to prepare for your first jump. You’ll also find plenty of information on what to do during your jump! However, few people know what to expect once the jump has occurred. So, after your skydive, what happens?
After you skydive, drink plenty of water, pack away your gear, and be prepared to feel a bit sore and achy in your muscles. However, you should also be ready to have fun and celebrate your first skydive! Sometimes instructors will plan something, or you can arrange it with friends.
Below, I will take you through a typical post-skydive day. However, the activities can vary due to who is involved, how many jumps you’ve made, and what you’re into. The experience truly depends on the person.
What Happens After You Go Skydiving?
After you land from your skydive, your guide will typically take off your gear, pack it away and whisk you back to the station, where you will receive any video and photo packages you purchased. After that, you can be on your merry way!
However, depending on who you are diving with, you might get to participate in some skydiving traditions depending on the milestone. Some companies have an afterparty bonfire they may invite you to. It’s really up to the facility where you booked your flight.
Now, on the mental aspect of your skydive, while we mostly know what to expect before and during a skydive, the post-dive comedown is rarely discussed. It’s more emotional than you would think!
Post-Skydive Comedown Phases
Following a skydive, there are usually three phases that you will find yourself moving through. First is the initial relief that you did it! You finally did it. Then, the second phase is happiness, and the third is the confidence boost when you realize that you can do anything.
The euphoria of skydiving quickly overwhelms the relief stage. Your cells are full of chemicals that make you happy, and it’s hard to contain your excitement. The joy stage, on the other hand, is a beautiful feeling that lingers throughout the day.
After surviving and crushing your first jump, you will enter the “I can do anything!” stage. You may be less hesitant to do things you were once scared or unsure of, and it’s the feeling of freedom.
Read our post on Skydiving Addiction here.
How Long Does It Take to Pack Away Your Gear?
Depending on the jump you just did, it takes little time to pack away your gear, 5 to 10 minutes. Your instructor will have the parachute rigger pack your parachute back up.
If you are a solo jumper, it will take about 10 to 15 minutes to pack your parachute. And only a few additional seconds to tuck away your goggles, jumpsuit, or any other gear you might have.
What Happens to Your Body After Skydiving?
Although soreness is the most common physical side effect of skydiving, it is also expected and can be avoided by stretching beforehand.
People who jump regularly notice an increase in their endurance and flexibility. This is because, over time, they’ll gradually become used to carrying around 20-25 pounds of equipment.
Carrying your gear with you when you go skydiving can help boost your muscle tone and increase your overall fitness.
While performing a jump, your body experiences new and healthy stressors that can affect different body parts, including the glutes, back, and core, so expect a bit of tire and exhaustion in these areas.
Do You Feel Nauseous After Skydiving?
It’s very rare for a tandem student to get sick during a jump. In most cases, students tend to get into the rabbit hole of watching scary skydiving videos. These are videos of rare occasions where people pass out, vomit, or have a panic attack in midair.
To avoid nausea, make sure you eat something before your jump. If you are worried about motion sickness (another rare circumstance during skydiving), you can take some Dramamine ahead of time.
Adequate hydration will help keep your digestive system in tip-top shape as you prepare to jump. Dehydration is a culprit of nausea, and not many people know that. So, drink plenty of water and keep up your electrolytes.
You can read all you need to know about eating and drinking prior to jumping in our guide “What To Eat Before Skydiving” by clicking here.
Should You Eat After Skydiving?
You can eat anything you want after your skydive. However, if you’re feeling queasy, go with a light snack, such as yogurt, granola, or maybe another smoothie. That way, getting through the nauseous feelings is easier if they’re still there afterward.
Do You Feel More Confident After You Skydive?
After a skydive, most people feel a nice confidence boost, primarily due to facing their fears and trusting themselves to do it.
If you are afraid of heights or falling, jumping out of a plane will put you in a state of fear. Doing so can help you deal with your fears, and it can also help you develop confidence in other activities.
Your experience will also vary depending on what you are going through. For instance, if you are experiencing it for the first time, it might feel different than if you have been doing it for a long time.
You’ll learn to trust people, have confidence in your judgment, and eventually, subconsciously let go of unnecessary fears and anxieties.
Do You Celebrate After Skydiving?
Most skydivers do celebrate after skydiving! However, there are many ways to do this. For example, one ritual involves getting a pie in your face. Although this is not a new practice, it feels incredible to be acknowledged by your fellow jumpers.
Another one of the traditions that a skydiver follows is to give their rigger a bottle of wine when they use their reserve parachute. This is a way to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication. If they don’t like alcohol, you can always give them something else, such as lunch.
But overall, at most drop zones, the accomplishments of the jumpers are often displayed on a wall of fame if you decide to go for your A-license.
To get an A-license, a person must complete the AFF program and 25 jumps. Having your license and stamp on your forehead is a beautiful moment of achievement.
Do You Drink After Skydiving?
Many skydiving community traditions involve beer, and many jumpers have always appreciated a cold one after a day of freefall.
Whether you drink after skydiving depends on you. However, there are a few traditions that some people have!
One of the first rules of landing is never crossing the Beer Line. This is a significant rule, and it should be taken very seriously. Usually, this invisible line is the boundary between an area that is too risky to land in and an area that is not.
When you are briefed about flying at the drop zone, the beer line is made clear, and even if you cross it, it counts. The tradition dictates that you owe the community a beer every time you cross the line.
If you are in the drop zone and suddenly hear “BEER,” you likely think that a skydiver made an unfortunate mistake when they crossed the Beer Line. Some areas have beer bibles that record the names of those who have paid and those who owe.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to know what to do during or before a skydive; however, many people are confused about what happens afterward. No worries!
Talk with your instructor about any post-flight plans. This way, you can let them know your preferences. For example, if you’re a recovered alcoholic, you probably don’t want to participate in beer games. However, you can always get an alcohol-free beer or replace it with your favorite sugary drink!
After you have communicated your preferences, you can be assured that no negative surprises will occur, and you will be free to enjoy your day.
If you enjoy skydiving then you may want to try one of these 25 activities like skydiving, the list includes a bunch of adrenaline rushing sports and activities thrill seekers are looking for.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focuses on extreme sports. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, and skateboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about extreme sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.
