You are here:
Breast Cancer/question
Advertisement
Question
Hi. My question isn't under your speciality, so if you don't want to answer feel free not to.
I'd like to know why do people say that when you jump from a very high building you die before you hit the ground - something about the pressure in your lungs. And if so, why doesn't this happen to parachuters?
Thank you.
I'm not sure at all that they do die before hitting the ground. A falling human being very rarely ever moves faster than around 200kms/hour (= 125 miles/hour)due to air resistance. That is hardly enough to rupture the lungs (think of people in hurricanes, cars or aircrafts). Furthermore, even if you jumped from the old World Trade Center it would only take a little more than 10 seconds to reach the ground. Not much time to die in really. So I think you can dismiss the whole theory. Well, if it does not apply to an ordinary jumper it can hardly do on parachuters - besides due to their parachutes they move MUCH MORE slowly, so it CAN NOT happen there either.
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.
Expertise
I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.
Experience
I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.
I also answer questions about
Oncology (General Cancer),
General History,
Military History,
Brain Tumors,
Colon Cancer
Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.