Is it true dropping a rock before jumping off a cliff (into water) helps break your fall?

Question

A heavy rock, I heard it breaks the water and when you drop it will hurt less. Is that true?

Answer 1

maybe, but i'd worry more about the concussion you get from hitting that rock...

Answer 2

Sure, till you hit the rock...

Answer 3

Mythbusters on Discovery channel  did a show on that  with a hammer and the dummy used.  In the show it was still damaged on impact into the water.

Answer 4

Yes, the bubbles like divers at a training pool use, makes the surface tension less dense.  But I wouldn't follow a rock close enough to make it effective.

Answer 5

Only if you land on the rock.

Dennis G

Answer 6

Yes, to a small degree, but you have to go in right behind the rock, while the water is still agitated from the release of surface tension.

Answer 7

Not even a bit, as said before myth busters tested it with a hammer