16 "How do you breathe in freefall?" and other Whuffo Questions
Description
This article is from the Skydiving FAQ, by Barry Brumitt with numerous contributions by others.
16 "How do you breathe in freefall?" and other Whuffo Questions
"How do you breath in freefall?"
-- Through genetically developed gills.
This falls into the realm of urban folklore. One CAN breathe in
freefall - if it were necessary. However, due to the high speed of
terminal freefall (and much higher speeds in vertical freefall dives),
the jumper's body is exposed to O2 molecules at a much higher rate
than someone walking around on the ground. The body is able to absorb
the necessary O2 through the skin. This is why jumpers flap their
cheeks in freefall, it presents a larger surface area to the airstream
for oxygen osmosis. Once under canopy, the jumper resumes breathing
normally.
This is also why jumpers do not jump on cloudy days or when they might
risk going through clouds. The moisture in the clouds can condense on
their exposed skin surfaces preventing the absorption of the necessary
oxygen resulting in suffocation. AADs are recommended for jumpers in
climates where weather is a factor.
"Don't your ears pop on the way down?"
-- "Yes, we're not ignoring you, we're deaf."
"What if you have to go the bathroom in the plane?"
-- "Go ahead!"
"Can you steer your parachute?"
-- "No, one time I landed in Jamacia."
"Does it hurt?"
-- "Yes, that's why we jump all the time! Masochism!"
"What if your parachute doesn't open?"
-- "Gee, I never thought of that..."
"Why do you jump?"
-- "Why do _you_ breathe?"
"Where do you jump?"
-- "O'Hare, Midway, LAX, Dulles, where ever I happen to be."
(:-)
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