While water doesn't physically transform into cement, the impact of falling into water from a significant height can feel similarly devastating to falling onto a hard surface like concrete from a much lower height. Based on comparisons, falling into water from around 300 feet is often likened to the impact of falling onto concrete from approximately 30 feet.
Why High Falls Into Water Are Dangerous
Many people believe that falling into water is relatively safe compared to solid ground. However, from sufficient heights, water behaves very differently due to its physical properties.
The Role of Incompressibility
One crucial factor is that water is incompressible. This means it doesn't compact or absorb the force of impact in the same way that air or softer materials might.
As noted in discussions regarding high falls into water:
- Water is incompressible. This property is key to understanding the severity of impact from height.
- The effect of falling from a great height into water is dramatic. For example, a 300 ft fall into water is described as being "pretty close to" the impact of falling 30 ft to concrete.
When you hit the surface of the water at high speed after falling a great distance, the water cannot cushion your fall by compressing. Instead, the force of deceleration is applied very rapidly to your body.
Comparing Impacts
The provided reference gives a specific comparison:
| Scenario | Height | Impact Sensation (Analogy) |
|---|---|---|
| Fall into Water | ~300 feet | Like falling onto concrete |
| Fall onto Concrete | ~30 feet | The reference comparison |
This highlights that the energy absorbed by the body during a high-speed water impact from 300 feet is comparable to hitting concrete from 30 feet.
Consequences of High Water Impact
The rapid deceleration from such heights can cause severe, often fatal, injuries. Even attempting to orient your body to reduce the impact area offers little protection from extreme heights. The reference specifically mentions that "Entering the water toes-first would just mean you have broken legs as well as being dead." This underscores the fact that impact from great height is devastating regardless of entry angle.
In essence, it's not that water becomes solid, but the forces involved in a high-speed impact with an incompressible surface create effects similar to hitting something hard like cement or concrete. The higher the fall, the greater the velocity, and the more severe the rapid deceleration upon hitting the water's surface.
