What is the maximum height a human can survive falling into water?

Question

i am wanting to jump off some high cliffs into some deep water, or off of a bridge into our river... and i am wondering....

what is the highest a human can free fall into water and survive? it is a little high... and want to make sure i will survive the fall :)

Answer 1

Some people have gone over Niagara Falls and lived-Some did not.

Answer 2

There are many variables to consider in this problem.  But the basic advice is:  don't even think about it!

I used to work at Lake Berryessa in Northern California.  There was a high bridge on the upper end of the lake that went over one 'arm' of the lake.  People would jump from that bridge despite the warning signs posted on it.

Probably 9 out of 10 of these people made the 40-60 foot (depending on lake level)  jump with no ill effect.  The other 10% suffered injuries ranging from dislocated shoulders to paralyzing spinal injuries to immediate death.  I know, I got to help drag for the bodies of those that didn't make it.

A person can kill themselves entering water from a height as low as just a few feet.  How one enters the water is a big factor, as is whether or not the water is still (surface tension on water can make it equal to concrete in terms of its effect on a jumper).  Also the depth of the water is a major factor, in that many jumpers/divers are injured upon impact with the bottom.

A person who is an experienced diver or who knows how to jump properly (compact jump as taught in Lifeguard classes, for example) can safely enter water from a fairly high place.  If you don't have that kind of training and/or experience you are risking serious injury and death by doing something like bridge jumping.