Impact and Damage from falling from a bridge into water

CCphysics

If an average adult male fell from a bridge (ex. golden gate) what would be the impact on his body when he hit still water versus water with waves. What is his acceleration, momentum, and his change of momentum when he hits the water


With these in mind how does the fall affect his organs which are traveling at the same velocity of his body?

berkeman

What is the context of your question?

CCphysics

We want to know how much is the force (or how to calculate the force) of impact on a body falling from a 25ft bridge or higher into water. And if there is any possible way to reduce that force to something that will cause little to no bodily injury. for example if creating air bubble or creating waves will that reduce the force and by how much?


Context can be, a 180 lbs 6' male has decided to go to a 25 ft suspended bridge and jump off into still water. What affects occur on his body by jumping, and what ways can he reduce these negative affects while in the air and/or on impact to stay alive and unhurt.

berkeman

Land feet first, arms crossed?

DaveC426913

Yes, the vast majority of your variables are going to involve his orientation when he hits the water.

sophiecentaur

Competition divers use aerated water in the diving pools for high dives (a big bubble machine is switched on just before the dive). If the water has a lot of bubbles in it (say 20% by volume) then the density of the water will be 0.8 of water. That will mean less mass to collide with initially. Also the drag will be a bit less - reducing the force by extending the time to reduce speed. Both factors must be significant.
The presence of waves will have a similar effect of extending the time of the initial impact - all good stuff.