Physics
What makes hands-first diving safer than feet-first?
Quick fact
Divers enter hands-first to break the water's surface gradually, extending deceleration time and reducing the G-forces on their body from 15G to under 8G.
Why this is interesting
Hitting water at 30 mph feet-first can shatter ankles—but hands-first slices through like a knife, reducing deceleration forces by nearly half.