How fast of an impact can a human survive with current technology?

Question

I was thinking, sure there's been freak incidents of freefall being survived here and there, but has there ever been a device or stunt where a human has been allowed to fall at full speed and strike the ground, AND survive with little to no damage afterward? I am thinking as an example the Pathfinder landing where it bounced for miles, and also the egg drop contests held in every high school. Weight and volume not a problem, only speed as it cannot be slowed down like a parachute or retro rockets. Has there ever been or can there ever be a device, like a hollow geodesic sphere or balloon, that can cushion a human going 200 miles an hour?

Answer 1

Keep in mind Mars has lower gravity, and the ship came down with a *parachute* until it reached low altitude. Also remember, the egg usually breaks. A device has indeed been made to cushion an impact at high speeds so that you can survive. It's called an airbag, and it's standard equipment in cars these days. The problem is that's its not fun at all; you usually get knocked out and often injured, but you survive. It's strictly for emergencies. Let the crash dummies do it for fun.

A really big airbag is needed to avoid injury from free fall from a great height. Those are generally left on the ground for you to hit. Firemen used them as a last resort for evac and suicide attempts. Trained stunt men use them routinely. If you want something you actually fall *with*, you can always sandwich yourself between two such bags and strap eveything tightly together. Are you volunteering to be the first to try such a stunt? Post a YouTube link in the post-answer comment bock when you do it :-)