Hello, I'm an expert in physics and biomechanics with a focus on the effects of high-impact forces on the human body. When it comes to surviving a fall into water, there are several factors to consider, including the height of the fall, the angle of entry, the body's position upon impact, and the water's depth.
The human body can withstand a certain amount of force upon impact with water, but this force increases dramatically with the square of the velocity. This means that as the height of the fall increases, the impact force becomes much greater, exponentially increasing the risk of injury or death.
For a fall from a relatively low height, such as 10 to 20 feet, the water's resistance can slow the body down without causing significant injury. However, as the height increases, the terminal velocity of a falling person is reached, which is approximately 120 mph (193 km/h) for a human body in a belly-down position. At this speed, the impact can cause severe trauma, including broken bones, internal injuries, and potentially death.
It's also important to note that the angle and position of the body upon entry can significantly affect the outcome. A head-first or feet-first entry at high speeds can be particularly dangerous due to the concentration of force on a smaller area of the body.
In summary, while it's difficult to pinpoint an exact height at which a fall into water becomes fatal, it's clear that the risk increases significantly with height and that falls from great heights, especially at or near terminal velocity, pose a high risk of severe injury or death.
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