MCpl Jonathan Woolvett burning captured Taliban equipment in Zari District, Afghanistan in 2008. Double Deuce, 3RCR, TF 3-08. After returning from his second tour to Afghanistan in 2009, Jonny struggled tremendously with PTSD until it ultimately cost him his life.

For me dealing with symptoms of PTSD can be overwhelming thinking of the past or future in a negative way  or worrying about past situations or thinking of things that could happen in the future but when I’m skydiving / preparing to skydive that is all that is on my mind and I can focus on what’s happening in the now and get to be present in the moment!!!

- MCpl (Ret'd) Adam Favaro, 2CER, TF 3-08

 Left: Adam packing his parachute.

Hurricane Group founder Brandon Webb flies one of his stunt planes during one of his bi-annual runs. (Photo provided by Brandon Webb)

WHY SKYDIVING WORKS AS THERAPY

In recent years, the realization is that urban environments induce higher levels of stress on individuals due to the required and increased level of attention,  and elevated stimuli of the surrounding area, thereby increasing cognitive load and fatigue. Alternatively, an intense outdoor activity that is sports based does not overload the brain in the same way. 

The natural environment offers a reprieve from constant hypervigilance, reducing sensitivity to sudden sensory triggers and promoting relaxation. Rather than directly treating PTSD, these interventions focus on teaching new recreational skills, which helps participants avoid the stigma or barriers often associated with traditional therapy. By learning a new skill, individuals become immersed in the present moment, temporarily shifting their focus away from daily stressors. This engagement encourages problem-solving and proactive coping strategies rather than avoidance. This is particularly valuable for individuals with chronic PTSD, who often withdraw from social interactions and real-world challenges.

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health study (listed above and on our Getting Wounded Vets Airborne Page) :

• Of the 30 participants, 60% showed reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms within two weeks, while 57% experienced clinically significant change. Only one participant (0.03%) worsened, and 37% saw no change. When excluding those who initially scored below the PTSD diagnosis threshold, 14 out of 18 participants showed significant clinical improvement. 
• At the four-month follow-up, results remained consistent, with 60% still showing improvement and 53% achieving clinically significant change. Among those who met the PTSD criteria at baseline, 13 participants continued to demonstrate meaningful progress.
• These findings suggest that brief outdoor recreational experiences can significantly improve PTSD symptoms in military veterans, with effects lasting for at least four months.

THE SCIENCE BACKS IT UP

We've all heard the horror stories of veterans returning from combat tours, only to be handed a prescription and told to "move on with their life." But how does someone simply "move on" from a lifestyle, career, and deeply immersive culture like the military—especially when an injury forces them out of the field?

One Navy SEAL put it best when he was prescribed medication after leaving service. “They literally gave me a Costco-sized bottle of this s***,” Webb said. “I was like, ‘This is crazy.’ And that’s when I just flushed it down the toilet and thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way.’” It turns out, many scientists agree with Webb and have dedicated countless hours and funds getting to the bottom of how we can cure PTSD, without pharmaceuticals. 

• Military Times "Can Extreme Sports and Adrenaline Help Veterans with PTSD?"
  • The above statement was made by Webb, right before a neurosurgeon friend suggested a workout routine that included yoga and swimming. The approach was effective, and he ultimately avoided surgery. Now, Webb is a strong advocate for the healing benefits of exercise and actively engages in high-adrenaline activities like skiing, skydiving, and flying stunt planes.
• University of Nottingham, School of Medicine Extreme sport as an intervention for physically injured military veterans
  • An analysis of UKAF and veteran data estimates that at least 67,515 veterans developed physical or mental health conditions as a result of their service between 2001 and 2014. This study involved 14 veterans, primarily British Army personnel, with one participant having served in the Royal Marines. Eligibility required participants to have sustained either permanent or minor physical injuries during combat, training, or deployment
  • Participants were between 25 and 51 years old, with an average age of 35.14, and had served between 4 and 21 years before being medically discharged. Among them, 12 had sustained severe physical injuries, including amputations, brain injuries, and chronic back pain, while two had minor but persistent injuries such as knee pain. Additionally, eight participants reported experiencing mental health issues, though not all had a formal diagnosis. None of the participants received psychological treatment, such as counseling, during the study.

  • Veterans reported psychological and physical benefits, social connections, and sustained improvements in well-being. This was not just about risk-taking but a path to rediscover purpose, mirroring aspects of military life through structured routines, briefings, and action planning. The excitement of competition and skill development fostered a renewed sense of direction, accomplishment, and the ability to apply military skills in a meaningful way.

• Frontiers Psychology Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

  • Research suggests that exercise can be an effective tool for managing PTSD, either as a stand-alone treatment or alongside traditional therapy. PTSD symptoms, particularly hyperarousal, make individuals highly sensitive to physical sensations like a rapid heart rate. Studies indicate that vigorous exercise can help desensitize these reactions, similar to exposure therapy, reducing hyperarousal over time.

  • Brain imaging studies reveal that PTSD affects key areas like the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, which regulate stress and decision-making. Aerobic exercise has been shown to increase brain volume and enhance neuroplasticity, suggesting it may support PTSD recovery.

  • Additionally, PTSD disrupts the HPA axis, leading to abnormal stress responses and low cortisol levels. Exercise can help regulate cortisol production and improve resilience to stress. It also reduces inflammation, which is elevated in PTSD, and enhances sleep quality, another common challenge for those with the disorder.

Do you know a wounded veteran who would love to skydive? Nominate them.

FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS FROM VETERANS

P1: “Feeling of being alive. I am alive. It also makes me feel like it’s the closest feeling I've got to being, going to Afghanistan, where I was at my best ever…”

P6: “I can control myself. I have quite a lot of incidents where I can’t but, yeah, it’s managed better now than it was… I actually want to go karting because I’m getting quicker now in my racing […] it gives you purpose. It gives you something to focus on […] I have a hobby to do and it’s getting me out of the house as well. I’m a lot happier for it rather than sat in front of the TV or looking at the walls, like I used to do”.

P2: “Now I'm quite good at karting and it's an adrenaline rush and it's that competitive edge. Like I've had a few crashes and it really hurts but, you know, you push yourself to the limit […] it’s the thrill, I think…”

P5: “I've stepped up and I'm part of Team BRIT as well… If you asked me a couple of years ago, it's something I could never have imagined I would be able to do… have the ability to drive a race car, let alone deal with the pressure that comes with it…”

P6: “…I started karting with KartForce, I’ve gone from 13 and a half stone down to 11 stone… It has made me conscious of my weight […] I’m managing my pain levels a lot more now…it makes me feel a bit better with myself […] I feel like I have a bit more energy…”

P11: “…I've made some good new friends. I think I'm a little bit more level-headed when I'm here. You don't have to worry about what's said as much as you do outside. I just like being back in a group of people that are of the same mind-set…”

*Above are all direct quotes taken from veterans who participated in the UK University of Nottingham study.

Raul (DZO) and MCpl (Ret'd) Mike Trauner greet each other at the Grand Opening of Airborne Petawawa, the two fought together in Afghanistan, 22C, Double Deuce, 3RCR, TF 3-08.

Cpl Zaharia (Airborne Petawawa DZO) with the Double Deuce on patrol in Zari District, Afghanistan, 3RCR, TF 3-08.