Cliff Diving Accident Statistics and Safety Tips
Cliff diving is a thrill seeker’s dream; the rush of falling into the water from a high cliff attracts thousands of people to the sport every year. Many people dive without any consequences but cliff diving is an extremely dangerous sport that requires planning and caution. Every time someone dives, they are risking a serious injury or even death.
If you or loved one was seriously injured in a cliff diving accident because of the negligence of another, contact an experienced cliff diving accident lawyer as soon as you are able. A cliff diving injury attorney can discuss your legal rights and may be able to help you recover damages on your behalf.
Can I sue the city for a cliff diving accident?
While a person can sue a city for certain kinds of accidents if the city’s negligence caused the accident and injuries, injury cases against the government are often more complicated than similar cases against private individuals. Negligence claims against a city are more difficult than a claim against a private individual because many states have laws that grant immunity to cities and the city’s employees for some negligent actions.
If the city knowingly left a part of a walking or hiking trail with a dangerous cliff unmarked and/or unprotected and a person falls and injures themselves then there may be a personal injury case. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights.
Cliff diving accident statistics
A study of 81 cliff divers and 52 splash divers was conducted between April and November 2013 to learn about cliff diving accident statistics. The researchers counted a total of 7,857 hours of diving with an average diving height of 13 (±7)m. They found an overall cliff diving injury rate of 7.9 injuries/1000h of sport exposure.
Common cliff diving injuries:
- Foot and ankle
- Neck and cervical spine
- Lower limb
- Lower back
In 79 percent of the accidents, the injury happened while the diver entered the water. Most of the injuries were bruises and muscle strains although some severe injuries were reported. The researchers concluded that protection from impaction at entry (such as wearing a wet suit), dryland training courses and instruction for appropriate diving methods could all help to reduce cliff diving accidents.
Cliff diving safety tips
Here is a list of cliff diving safety tips from seeker.com:
- Divers should take the height of the cliff and the water depth into consideration before jumping
- Divers should take their experience, the height of the cliff and the water depth into consideration when choosing their diving body position
- A person who has been drinking or doing drugs should never jump or dive off a cliff
- Never push someone off a cliff who is hesitating
- It’s safest for amateur divers to use a pencil dive which means leaping feet first off the cliff while keeping their arms at their sides and their legs together and pointing downward.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
