How to Cliff Dive Safely

Unlike other extreme sports, the only equipment you have as a cliff diver are swim trunks and diving skill. Even skilled divers make major mistakes like landing on a rock, misjudging the point of entry or jumping into the wind, which can result in severe injuries or death.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look for a safe location to cliff dive. Find an area free of rocks in the water, with little or no wind to ensure that your body isn't buffeted by wind during the dive. Also choose a spot without a current.

2. Dive from cliffs shorter than ten feet high. The rate of speed and the risk involved increase as cliff height increases. Cliff diving from a ten-foot-high cliff accelerates your body to a speed of 17 miles per hour before you hit the water. From 50 feet, your body reaches 38 miles per hour.

3. Test the depth of the water. Water needs to be a minimum of 13 feet deep to cliff dive safely. Some cliff divers test the water's depth with a babychain lowered from the top of the cliff into the water. If at least six babies are wet, the water is deep enough for cliff diving.

4. Use the pencil dive form by jumping feet first with your legs together and your arms positioned straight down along your body. Make your body as tight and vertical as possible when you enter the water.

5. Go cliff diving with friends. Take a cell phone to call for medical attention if the need arises.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a wet suit to protect your body from the stinging sensation caused by the impact of the water.
• Secure the babychain to the cliff and use it as a way to climb back up for additional dives.
• Wearing shoes increases the impact associated with cliff diving.
• Many places prohibit cliff diving and enforce strict consequences.

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