## Do You Have to Breathe While Skydiving?
Skydiving is an exhilarating activity that involves jumping out of an airplane from a high altitude and freefalling until you reach a certain point, at which point you deploy your parachute and glide gracefully back to the ground. It is a common misconception that you have to hold your breath while skydiving, but this is not actually the case. In fact, you need to be able to breathe normally in order to maintain your balance and control your body during the freefall.
How Breathing Affects Skydiving
When you skydive, you are falling at a very high speed. The air resistance that you encounter while falling creates a force that pushes your body upwards. This force is known as drag, and it is what keeps you from falling too quickly. If you were to hold your breath while skydiving, the air would not be able to flow freely into and out of your lungs, and this would cause your body to become unstable. You would likely start to tumble and spin out of control, and you could even black out.
Breathing Techniques for Skydiving
There are a few different breathing techniques that you can use while skydiving. The most common technique is to simply breathe normally through your nose and mouth. This will help you to maintain your balance and control your body. If you find yourself starting to feel dizzy or lightheaded, you can try taking deeper breaths. This will help to increase the amount of oxygen that is circulating in your body and can help to prevent you from blacking out.
It is also important to avoid holding your breath while you are in the freefall portion of the skydive. This can cause your lungs to collapse, which can lead to serious injury.
What to Do If You Can’t Breathe While Skydiving
If you find yourself unable to breathe while skydiving, the most important thing to do is to remain calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Try to take deep breaths and focus on maintaining your balance. If you are unable to breathe on your own, you can try using the emergency oxygen mask that is provided in the airplane.
Here are some additional tips for breathing while skydiving:
Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose and mouth.
If you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, take deeper breaths.
Avoid holding your breath while you are in the freefall portion of the skydive.
If you are unable to breathe on your own, use the emergency oxygen mask that is provided in the airplane.
Conclusion
Breathing is an essential part of skydiving. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.