VeganShelly

I had a very similar experience on my first tandem jump in Hawaii. I could not catch my breath as soon as the freefall began, I tried hard to force a breath in and out, but the air would just not move through my nose or mouth. I was not nervous or scared at all so I know it was not a panic attack, I LOVE the adrenaline rush but I simply could not get the air into my lungs. Once the chute opened, I was able to breathe normally again. I had the same breathing problem in an indoor skydiving wind tunnel; I think it has something to do with sinus problems or sinus anatomy... It totally sucks because I love the thrill of skydiving, this breathing thing is such an awful side effect. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution!

I am the same way! I feel like I am suffocating if I have strong wind blowing in my face. I really noticed the problem on my first tandem in Hawaii, I was not at all nervous but I could not breathe due to the force of the wind in my face. I tried an indoor skydiving flight recently and had the same problem; it's definitely not anxiety, it's something physical...narrow sinuses maybe. I have the same trouble breathing when I put my face in front of a strong fan too. So glad I'm not the only one!