dying before you hit the ground?

[LiamC]

With a lot of people commiting suicide by jumping off bridges etc is it true that you die / pass out before you hit the ground? Has it actually been proven?

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Wouldn't that mean an F1 driver goes unconcious on a 200mph straight?
Or skydivers cannot pull open their parachute?

You die when you hit the tarmac.

No ifs, no butts, just an almighty splat.

 

[Kraven]

I don't believe its true no, as some people have been known to survive high falls and end up with a lot of broken bones.

 

[Colbaker]

How can it be proven?

Surely the only ones who would know are dead?

Not sure why you would die before hitting the ground though.

 

[Liquid_Entity]

that's deep man !!! you must be dead inside already to jump off a bridge man !!!

 

[unwashed potato!]

why would you die before you hit the ground unless you are falling from space?

 

[Ekim]

With a lot of people commiting suicide by jumping off bridges etc is it true that you die / pass out before you hit the ground? Has it actually been proven?

I think I have heard this before with the idea being that the person has a heart attack before they land. However I would imagine this is actually the case in very few cases and certainly not all.

 

[Rroff]

There a slim but very unlikely chance of dying from the trauma of falling from a height, slightly higher chance of passing out. 99% of people would hit the ground conscious and its probably rare that its immediatly fatal - in reality people probably live around 8 minutes on average after impact. (Falling directly head first into concrete might be another story).

 

[RetiredGreyFox]

It may be possible if you accidentally fell off but if you've jumped yourself you're ready to hit the ground.

 

[PapaLazaru]

I think if you got blown up at 50,000 feet in an aircraft and somehow managed to stay alive on exit, the chances are you would probably have a heart attack before you hit the ground.

 

[Liquid_Entity]

Surely people who bungee jump would pass out on a regular basis too, thats the same thing as throwing yerself off a bridge or building. I certainly didn't pass out during my 134m drop.

 

[meghatronic]

Do you want to test it?

 

[G-MAN2004]

There a slim but very unlikely chance of dying from the trauma of falling from a height, slightly higher chance of passing out. 99% of people would hit the ground conscious and its probably rare that its immediatly fatal - in reality people probably live around 8 minutes on average after impact. (Falling directly head first into concrete might be another story).

There was a documentary about people jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Apparently the impact kills you instantly, iirc.

 

[cymatty]

I remember this being said a lot after 9/11 when people jumped from the building.

It was probably said as some kind of solace for the relatives and the public.

 

[Tefal]

it's possible some people pass out though fright etc but i doubt it's many.

 

["andy"]

I think if you got blown up at 50,000 feet in an aircraft and somehow managed to stay alive on exit, the chances are you would probably have a heart attack before you hit the ground.

what causes the heart attack ?

 

[Rroff]

There was a documentary about people jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Apparently the impact kills you instantly, iirc.

Depends on the height and what you land on and in what manner obviously.

People jumping off a multi story carpark, your average road bridge or average block of flats, etc. rarely die immediatly on impact tho.

 

[LOAM]

what causes the heart attack ?

Pies

 

[Jingo...]

what causes the heart attack ?

Pulling out a winning lotto ticket whilst failing in the attempt to use your jacket in the 'glider squirrel' method to safety.

 

[ajones32]

I think it's the fear of knowing you're gonna die when you hit the ground, that much trauma causes heart failure, probably too much adrenaline produced and stops the heart.