The question of whether an individual with epilepsy can skydive is not a simple yes or no, but rather a determination based on strict medical oversight and industry standards. Epilepsy is defined by a tendency toward unprovoked seizures, which are sudden, temporary disturbances in the brain’s electrical activity. Because of the extreme and unpredictable environment of skydiving, the activity presents a significant safety risk, making medical clearance a non-negotiable first step. The decision ultimately depends on how well the person’s neurological condition is managed and whether the risk of a seizure occurring mid-air is acceptably low.
Mandatory Medical Clearance and Seizure Control
Any person with a history of epilepsy seeking to skydive must obtain explicit written consent from a medical professional, typically their treating neurologist. This medical clearance must confirm that the individual’s epilepsy is considered “controlled,” meaning their seizure activity is managed and stable.
Industry policies, such as those set by the British Parachute Association (BPA), often specify a minimum period of time an individual must be seizure-free before being considered for a jump. A common standard requires a person to have been seizure-free for two years, with no changes to their anti-epileptic medication regimen during that time. Some drop zones may impose more stringent requirements, ranging up to five years, especially if the seizures involved a loss of consciousness.
The physician’s risk assessment centers on the specific type and frequency of the patient’s seizures, as well as their known triggers. Seizures that manifest without motor symptoms or loss of consciousness, such as some focal aware seizures, may pose a lower risk than generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Physiological Triggers of Skydiving
The environment of skydiving contains several physiological factors that can lower the seizure threshold in a susceptible individual. One significant concern is hypoxia, the effect of reduced oxygen at high altitudes, typically between 10,000 and 14,000 feet. While the time spent at maximum altitude before exit is short, the lower partial pressure of oxygen can induce changes in brain excitability that might trigger an event.
The massive surge of adrenaline and psychological stress associated with leaping from an airplane also presents a neurological challenge. Extreme excitement and acute anxiety are known seizure triggers for some people, and this emotional response can increase the brain’s electrical activity.
Rapid changes in G-forces during the jump are another factor that can affect neurological stability. The initial exit and freefall involve high-speed acceleration, and the sudden, forceful deceleration when the parachute canopy deploys subjects the body to significant G-forces. These intense physical forces and the rapid shift in barometric pressure can potentially perturb the brain’s function. A seizure occurring mid-air creates an immediate, catastrophic risk, as the person would be unable to follow instructions, maintain proper body position, or deploy their parachute, endangering both themselves and their tandem instructor.
Operational Policies and Jump Requirements
Even with a neurologist’s signed medical release, the final decision to permit a jump rests with the drop zone (DZ) operator and the instructor on site. Drop zones maintain operational policies that often exceed minimum regulatory guidelines due to the serious liability involved. For a person with a history of epilepsy, the jump will almost always be restricted to a tandem skydive, where the student is harnessed to an experienced instructor.
Restricting the activity to tandem jumps ensures that a trained professional is present to manage the parachute deployment and landing in the event of a medical emergency. However, this measure does not eliminate the danger, as a seizing student could inadvertently impede the instructor’s ability to perform necessary safety procedures. Because of this inherent risk, drop zones reserve the right to refuse service if the instructor perceives any heightened risk, even if all medical paperwork is in order.
Individuals must sign extensive liability waivers that fully disclose their medical history before being allowed to jump. Drop zones require full disclosure of the condition so that instructors can be prepared for the possibility of a seizure. Safety decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing the well-being of all participants.