why is jumping off a bridge often fatal, but people are rarely injured in high diving?
In: Physics
Jumping off a bridge is more fatal for three major reasons:
First, high divers know how to protect themselves. They dive so as to land in a particular way that is less likely to cause injury.
Secondly, high divers are generally diving into a safe environment. Devices called spargers will aerate a small section of the water beneath the diving platform in order to cushion the landing. Water will be sprayed on the surface so divers can see it rather than just the bottom of the pool/lake/whatever. Any sort of competitive dive will never be placed directly above a very shallow section of the water, whereas people falling/jumping from bridges may not have that same luck. And the height is known to be safe in most cases (barring record attempts).
Third, people who are jumping or falling off bridges are often, unfortunately, doing so accidentally. Even worse, they might be jumping with the *intent* to cause fatality. That means they are unable or unwilling to protect themselves, even if they know how.
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