## How Fast Do You Hit the Ground When Skydiving?
Skydiving is an exhilarating sport that involves jumping from an airplane and freefalling through the air. The speed at which you hit the ground depends on several factors, including your body position, the altitude from which you jump, and the wind conditions.
### Body Position
Your body position during freefall affects your speed. The following positions are listed from slowest to fastest:
– Belly-to-earth: This position is the slowest, as it creates the most drag.
– Head-down: This position is slightly faster than belly-to-earth, as it reduces drag.
– Spread eagle: This position is faster than head-down, as it creates less drag.
– Rocketman: This position is the fastest, as it creates the least drag.
### Altitude
The altitude from which you jump also affects your speed. The higher you jump from, the longer you have to accelerate due to gravity. This means that you will hit the ground faster if you jump from a higher altitude.
### Wind Conditions
The wind conditions can also affect your speed. If you are jumping into a headwind, your speed will be slower. If you are jumping into a tailwind, your speed will be faster.
### Average Speed
On average, skydivers hit the ground at a speed of around 120 miles per hour (193 kilometers per hour). However, this speed can vary depending on the factors discussed above.
### Safety
Skydiving is a safe sport when it is performed properly. However, there are always risks involved. One of the biggest risks is hitting the ground too fast. To reduce the risk of injury, skydivers use parachutes to slow their descent.
### Conclusion
The speed at which you hit the ground when skydiving depends on several factors, including your body position, the altitude from which you jump, and the wind conditions. On average, skydivers hit the ground at a speed of around 120 miles per hour (193 kilometers per hour). However, this speed can vary depending on the factors discussed above.