You Don't Want To Jump, Here's Why

Though I've never even come close to considering jumping off of a bridge, any bridge, I've thought about what it would feel like to fall off and hit the water from such a height.

The San Francisco Chronicle is printing a series of articles on Suicide by Bridge. There's a huge debate that's been going on about whether to put a barrier up on the scenic Golden Gate bridge in efforts to prevent "jumpers."

I found this description of what occurs to a jumper after he hits the water very enlightening. Hopefully it will enlighten any would be jumpers out there to just pick up a phone and dial suicide prevention. There are phones at or on the bridge for these purposes. The alternative to making that call is not what I'd call going out in style.

excerpt from Lethal Beauty: The Barrier Debate
san francisco chronicle


Suicide by bridge is gruesome, and death is almost certain. People have survived the fall, but not many. You might survive if you hit the water feet first and come in at a slight angle.

The impact is tremendous. The body goes from roughly 75 to 80 mph to nearly zero in a nanosecond. The physics of inertia being what they are, internal organs tend to keep going. The force of impact causes them to tear loose. Autopsy reports typically indicate that the jumpers have lacerated aortas, livers, spleens and hearts. Ribs are often broken, and the impact shoves them into the heart or lungs. Jumpers have broken sternums, clavicles, pelvises and necks. Skull fractures are common.

Which means you die one of two ways, or a combination of both. One, you hit the water and the impact kills you. Sometimes the jumper is knocked unconscious. Other times, the jumper survives for a time. The person can be seen flailing about in the water, trying to stay afloat, only to succumb to the extensive internal bleeding. Death can take seconds or minutes. Two, you drown. You hit the water going fast, and your body plunges in deep. Conscious or otherwise, you breathe in saltwater and asphyxiate

Quote: The main cause of depression is not a lack of material necessities but a deprivation of the affection of others.