The Feasibility of Surviving a Wingsuit Dive into the Ocean

Imagine abandoning a plane and plummeting towards the ocean in a wingsuit without a parachute. Would it be possible to slow down and maneuver yourself to survive with minimal injuries? This article explores the survival odds and offers insights based on real-world scenarios and expert analysis.

Survival Without a Wingsuit

Without a wingsuit, the likelihood of survival is virtually zero. Upon hitting the water, the jumper would experience a high-impact collision at an estimated speed of 120 miles per hour (MPH). Upon impact, the immediate danger is penetrating the water's surface with high velocity, which equates to hitting concrete. A perfect impact with the edge of a breaking wave might allow survival, but it would still result in severe injuries.

A historical example from World War II sheds light on this. The story involves a tail gunner from a Royal Air Force bomber who, without a parachute, fell from an altitude of 18,000 feet. Due to the lack of space in the tail to wear a parachute, he was forced to move to another location. Despite exiting the aircraft in the midst of a firefight and a burning plane, he landed in a forest because of the tall trees that served as a non-rigid barrier. While not unharmed, he survived and was later repatriated to England due to his miraculous survival. This event remains a testament to the dangers and the extreme conditions required for survival in such scenarios.

Survival with a Wingsuit

With the use of a wingsuit, the chances of survival slightly increase, but the odds are still slim. A wingsuit allows vertical descent speeds to be reduced to about 40-50 MPH, which is survivable. However, forward speeds remain high, often exceeding 60 MPH. The combination of these speeds ensures that the overall impact remains fatal.

For instance, the ocean itself becomes a significant barrier. Water is virtually incompressible compared to air, making it extremely difficult for any object, human or otherwise, to absorb the impact without sustaining severe damage. The impact is akin to hitting concrete, which often results in fatal injuries.

Specialized Scenarios of Survival

Interestingly, there are specialized scenarios where survival in such situations has been documented. One such example involves a wingsuiter who managed to jump from a height and land in a specially rigged landing zone composed primarily of thousands of empty cardboard boxes. These boxes, being mostly empty air, acted as a cushion, allowing the impact to be absorbed safely. This unique setup allowed for a survivable and uninjured landing. While this scenario is highly unlikely in real-life situations, it demonstrates the potential for survival under highly controlled conditions.

In conclusion, while the act of jumping into the water with a wingsuit without a parachute presents a high-risk situation, the survival odds are significantly better with a wingsuit. However, personal safety is always at risk, and it is crucial to have a backup plan in place. The story of the tail gunner and the specialized landing scenario involving cardboard boxes remind us of the extreme conditions and precise control required to achieve a survivable outcome.