Cliff jumping

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Jumping platform)
A person jumping off a cliff in Arizona.

Cliff jumping is the leaping off a cliff edge, usually into a body of water, as a form of sport. It may be done as part of the sport of coastal exploration[1] or as a standalone activity. Particular variations on cliff jumping may specify the angle of entry into the water or the inclusion or exclusion of human-made platforms or other equipment. Cliff diving and its close relative tombstoning are specific to water landing (with diving usually implying a head-first entry and tombstoning implying a feet-first entry).[2] Cliff jumping with the use of a parachute would typically be classified as a form of BASE jumping.[3]

Cliff jumping has inherent dangers due to the high velocity that can be attained during a long fall[4] and multiple cliff jumping deaths are reported every year.

In 2015 a world record for cliff jumping was set by Laso Schaller, with a jump of 58.8 m (193 ft).[5]

Major variants[edit]

Tombstoning[edit]

Tombstoning is a form of cliff jumping popular in the United Kingdom characterized by upright vertical position of the body as it enters the water,[2] and the activity's name derives from a similarity between this posture and the form of a tombstone.[6]

Platform jumping[edit]

At alternative to a cliff as a launch point is a human-made platform. Jumping platforms may purpose built or improvised, but they may also be repurposed existing infrastructure such as a railway bridges.

Injuries and deaths[edit]

Cliff jumping as part of a coasteering adventure near Porthclais

In the UK between 2004 and 2008, cliff jumping lead to 139 incidents in which a rescue or emergency response was required. Spinal injuries occurred with 20% of these, and 12 people died.[4]In the UK between 2005 and 2015 there were 83 people injured and 20 people who died whilst cliff jumping.[7][8]

In recent years, injuries and deaths related to cliff jumping has increased calls for responses from local authorities and emergency services. A reaction to serious injuries and deaths at one popular tombstoning site, Plymouth Hoe, has led to the dismantling of seafront diving boards and closure of parts of the waterfront to discourage the activity.[9][10]

Dangers[edit]

Impact with water[edit]

Water resistance increase with the speed of entry, so a high-velocity dive induces rapid and potentially dangerous decelleration.[11] Jumping from a height of 20 feet (6.1 m) results in a person hitting the water at 25 mph (40 km/h), an impact strong enough to potentially result in temporary paralysis of the diaphragm,[11] a compressed spine, broken bones, or concussion.[12] Horizontal velocity attained from a running jump may also add to the impact speed.[12]

Fall height Velocity reached at water surface
5 feet (1.5 m) 12 mph (19 km/h)[11]
10 feet (3.0 m) 17 mph (27 km/h)[12]
20 feet (6.1 m) 25 mph (40 km/h)[12]
50 feet (15 m) 38 mph (61 km/h)[12]
85 feet (26 m) 53–62 mph (85–100 km/h)[12]

Cold water shock[edit]

A phenomenon known as cold water shock can disrupt the abilities of jumpers who enter very cold water.[13]

It has been described as being "The sudden cooling of the skin by cold water... [causing] ...an involuntary gasp for breath. Breathing rates can change uncontrollably, sometimes increasing as much as tenfold. ...increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs." And that "This can all happen very quickly: it only takes half a pint of sea water to enter the lungs for a fully grown man to start drowning."[14]

It has been described further that "Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement... Average UK and Ireland sea temperatures are just 12°C."[14]

It was also reported that "Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow. Heart rate is also increased. As a result the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy."[14]

Impact with submerged objects or terrain[edit]

Submerged objects also pose a direct risk to jumpers, who may sustain severe physical trauma upon colliding with them, or risk becoming entangled and unable to surface.[13] A too-shallow lakebed or seabed can also cause impact injury. In ocean conditions, tides can greatly affect water depth.[13]

Currents[edit]

As with any other water-based activity, strong currents can make timely exit from the water impossible.[4][15]

Popular cliff jumping locations[edit]

A jump off the cliffs of Guffey Gorge
  • Ponte Brolla, Switzerland
  • Playa Forti, Curaçao
  • Diving Board Island, Bermuda
  • South Point, Hawaii, United States
  • Negril, Jamaica
  • Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas, United States
  • Clarence Cove, Bermuda
  • Nusa Lembongan, Bali
  • Laie Point, Hawaii, United States
  • Amoudi Bay, Greece[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ LaViolette 2012, p. 79.
  2. ^ a b "BBC News - Warning as Devil's Bridge 'tombstoning' continues despite death". BBC. 2013-07-10. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  3. ^ Williams & Micallef 2009, p. 222.
  4. ^ a b c "Tombstoning – 'Don't jump into the unknown'". RoSPA. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  5. ^ Sampiero, Josh (18 August 2015). "This crazy guy set a new cliff-jump world record". Red Bull GmbH. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Tombstoning - Torbay Council". Torbay.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  7. ^ "Man dies after 'tombstoning' off Plymouth Hoe cliff". BBC. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  8. ^ Thompson, George (26 July 2019). "The Port of Milford Haven warns against tombstoning". Western Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Devon deaths warning over Plymouth Hoe tombstoning". BBC News. 18 June 2010.
  10. ^ "'Unsafe' diving platform removed". BBC News. 17 February 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "CLIFFS PLUS DIVING = DANGER: WATER, GRAVITY CAN TURN THRILLER INTO A KILLER". Deseret News. 8 June 1989. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Kolich, Heather (5 October 2009). "How Cliff Diving Works". mapquest. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Beresford, Alan (2 July 2020). "Tombstoning warning after Findochty Harbour incident". Grampian online. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "Cold water shock". RNLI. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Coasteering and Tombstoning". NWSF. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  16. ^ "The Best Places In the World for Cliff Jumping". Shape. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
Sources

External links[edit]

Sources[edit]

  • LaViolette, Patrick (2012), "Risk, Rescue and Recreation", Extreme Landscapes of Leisure: Not a Hap-Hazardous Sport, Ashgate, ISBN 9781409488897
  • Williams, A. T.; Micallef, Anton (2009), Beach Management: Principles and Practice, Earthscan, ISBN 9781849770033
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cliff_jumping&oldid=1225415897"