How to survive a plunge over a waterfall

There are countless scenes in movies where people are being chased along a river that comes to a waterfall, only to safely get swept over the falls before washing up on a bank just far enough away from whoever was chasing them. These scenes have been repeated throughout hundreds of movies, leading people to the false impression that you’ll probably survive going over a waterfall. But how realistic is this view, and what should you do to survive a plunge over a waterfall?

What are the chances of getting swept over a waterfall?

Fortunately, it would be close to impossible to accidentally get swept over a waterfall without putting yourself in that position in the first place. Not only are they very loud, but the current in the river changes for quite a distance before the actual drop, depending on the size of the waterfall. The vast majority of people who have died from going over waterfalls have come from those attempting it on purpose. Those who die from non-boating-related accidents mostly happen at tourist hot spots, such as Niagara Falls.

There are no consistent and accurate records of exactly how many people have been swept over Niagara Falls, mostly due to them not being kept properly until the last few decades, but most estimates put the number of people simply as “several thousand” since 1850. Out of however many people who have gone over Niagara Falls, only 16 have been confirmed survivors. This is an extreme example, as Niagara is one of the biggest waterfalls on earth, but the general rule is, the larger the volume of water going over the falls and the bigger the drop distance, the higher the danger.

How to increase your chances of surviving a plunge over a waterfall

Some of the bigger waterfalls are almost impossible to survive going over, and nothing you could do would make any difference, even if you tried. For what can be considered average-sized, there are several things you should do if you’re unlucky enough to get swept over.

1. Stay Calm & Assess the Situation

Panicking wastes energy and can make you more vulnerable to injury.

If you have time, try to steer yourself toward the safest part of the fall (which would be anywhere it ends in a straight drop, normally in the largest part of the flow).

2. Position Your Body for Impact

Feet First, Slightly Bent Knees: This minimizes injury and prepares you to absorb the shock. Keep your legs tense for the impact so they stay straight and don’t crumple when you hit the water.

Keep Your Arms Close: Protect your head and chest by crossing your arms over your face and chest. Make sure to position one of your arms to stop the water from slapping your jaw or head on impact, as this force can be great enough to knock someone unconcious.

3. Protect Your Head

If you’re going to hit rocks, cover your head with your arms.

Once underwater, keep your hands up to shield your face from debris. There will also be the chance of getting spun around in the plunge pool after landing, so keep your head protected until you’re as certain as you can be that you’re not going to smash into anything head first.

4. Prepare for the Underwater Impact

Expect to go deep. Water may not cushion your fall as much as you’d think.

The higher the water is falling from, and its volume will often determine the depth of the plunge pool, but they can also be deceptive. A small waterfall landing on soft earth and clay will have a much deeper plunge pool than a large waterfall that lands directly on bedrock.

5. Swim Away Quickly

Strong currents or undertows can trap you in whirlpools or against rocks. This is one of the biggest dangers of falling into a plunge pool because the current can spin around in a barrel effect, trapping people there and constantly smashing them into the underwater rocks.

Swim perpendicular to the current and aim for a calmer area as soon as possible. It’s worth swimming the second you know which direction to go in, even if you haven’t surfaced yet. Avoiding the barrel effect of the plunge pool is the single most important thing after surviving the initial drop.