Cliff-diving dangers: how to protect yourself when diving into unknown waters

Every year, people suffer spinal cord injuries from reckless dives in Spain

1. Avoid areas with questionable depth: your perception of the distance to the bottom may be wrong
2. Avoid cloudy water or water with a strong flow: bottom visibility can be misleading
3. Always think twice: even if you’re familiar with the dive site, recent rains, a storm and the passage of time can easily modify the seabed
4. Look before you leap: examine the seabed and the distance from the water before you dive
5. Ensure you can see the entire path of the fall: during the decent, you could hit rocks of an outcrop
6. Avoid jumping where there are swimmers: hitting a bather from a height can cause serious damage
7. Jump feet first: the first time you try a jump, aim to land in the water with your feet; if you do hit the bottom, the blow will be more cushioned
8. Protect with your hands: if you do dive head-first, do it with your hands stretched out in front of you

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