2007-03-22 08:09:39 · 4 answers · asked by Austin K 1 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
The broader surface area of the body hitting the water absorbs more impact and increases the stress on the body. By going feet/arms first you will decrease surface area hitting the water and be more aerodynamic, causing a slower decrease in speed and less trauma to the body since there is less impact.
That's why the first thing they tell you on a cruise ship is if you have to jump, cross your legs and arms and go straight like a pin.
2007-03-22 10:01:01 · answer #1 · answered by Kristy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you go in arms or feet first there is less resistance entering the water...doing a bellyflop or backflop causes more resistance. say u went of a high dive feet or arms first u will enter the water smoothly and with no pain and you will travel fairly deep into the water (less resistance). if you did a bellyflop or backflop however you will not travel more than a few feet under the water (more resistance), you will experience lots of pain similar to that when someone slaps a 5 star on your back only worse.
2007-03-23 09:17:58 · answer #2 · answered by scalawag68 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with KLF002 with the one addition point that because water is not compressable if you fall on to the surface of a body of water at over a certain speed to large amout of water that has to move to absorb the energy of you falling flat is pretty emense. Also, the center of gravity of your body is the part that will want to push down into the water first. When you fall flat the center of gravity is in the middle of your torso. The upward force on your upper body and your legs will cause your body to jack knife, or fold on impact to allow the center of grvity to push into the water.
Jumping feet first reduces the area of your body hitting the water first and puts your center of gravity in line with the rest of your body reducing the force transferred from the impact.
2007-03-24 06:26:06 · answer #3 · answered by Muddiver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible. A lot depends on how high you are. There was a man several years ago who jumped of a high dive and did a belly flop. The force of his fall caused his stomach to split open and all of his internal organs fell out. Needless to say, he died instantly.
I would not recommend trying this or trying it on your back. Pretty dangerous and not really worth the scare.
2007-03-22 10:51:05 · answer #4 · answered by Samarama 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋