Why Your Hands Sweat When You’re Scared (And How to Fix It)

Introduction
Let’s talk about the scariest feeling in the air: The Slip.

You know the moment. You’re five meters up, about to go for a drop, and suddenly your palms feel like you’ve just washed them. You panic, you grip harder, and you sweat more.

First of all: There is nothing wrong with you.

The Science of "Lizard Brain"

When you are high up, your brain knows you are in danger. Even if you are a professional, your ancient instincts trigger a Fight or Flight response. One of the side effects of adrenaline? Sweating. Your body is literally trying to lubricate your skin so you can escape a predator's grasp.

Useful for escaping a tiger? Yes.
Useful for holding onto a silk? Absolutely not.

How to Find Your Friction

You can't fight biology, but you can manage it.

• Breathe: It sounds simple, but exhaling tells your nervous system, "We are safe." It lowers the adrenaline spike.
• Chalk vs. Rosin: Chalk dries moisture, but it can actually make silks more slippery if you have dry skin. Rosin (the main ingredient in Sticky-Toffy) adds tackiness. It creates a friction barrier between your sweat and the apparatus.
• Trust Your Prep: If you apply your grip aid before you go up, you don't need to panic mid-air.

You aren't "weak" for having sweaty hands. You’re just human. Let the spray handle the friction so you can focus on the art.

Fly safe,
Toffy