They aren’t the largest falls in the world.
Not by a long shot.
They are, however, among the most well-known.
Every year, millions of people visit Niagara Falls from all over the globe.
People travel for history.
They are looking for romance.
They come to enjoy the breathtaking view!
Some people can’t even get close enough… There are three waterfalls
Niagara Falls is made up of many different waterfalls, but the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is what gets the most attention.
Canadian Horseshoe Falls measure approximately 57m (187ft) high and 670m (2,200ft) wide.
Water rushes across its edge at a speed of 109 km/h (68 MPH), and dumps approximately 2.8 million liters (740,000 Gallons) of water every second.
It’s difficult to believe anyone could survive a trip across the Falls given its height and speed. It’s been done many times.
Or was it skill? Was it skill? How can you survive a fall into Niagara Falls?
Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to successfully cross Niagara Falls.
On her 63rd Birthday in 1921, Taylor crawled into an iron and oak barrel and floated over the Falls. Taylor did this feat for fame and money, but she didn’t make much.
Daredevils who wanted to follow her lead was not discouraged.
Jean Luzier crossed Niagara Falls in 1928. He used a rubber and steel ball of 182 cm (6 feet) diameter, and 32 inner tubes to line it.
Lussier survived the fall and continued selling souvenirs to tourists for the rest of his adult life.
However, not all daredevils were as fortunate as Taylor or Lussier.
In fact, only a little over half of the 16 people who tried to “Beat the Falls” have survived.
Only five people have survived a fall from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls without protection.
Roger Woodward was the first and youngest. He did this in 1960. At the time, he was just 7 years old when a boating accident resulted in him being swept overboard and into the Falls.
Woodward was quickly rescued and made a complete recovery after only three days of being in hospital for treatment for a concussion.
That event is still called the ” Magic at Niagara”.
Experts at Niagara consider any unprotected survival story to be blind luck. There are strategies that can save your life if you find yourself stumbling along at 109 km/h (68 MPH) in freezing water towards the edge of a drop of 57m (187 Ft).
Before you start to go over, the first thing to do is to take a deep breath.
You could easily drown if you get to the bottom. There will be so much water swirling around you and the intense pressure from the water falling from the top. You might be able to save some time by taking a deep breath before you fall.
Also, you should take precautions to protect the head. You can also orient yourself so you fall first. Next, wrap your arms around the top of your head with your elbows above your nose. Finally, close your eyes and mouth as tight as you can. You should actually tighten all your muscles and bring your legs together prior to impact. This will make your body as watertight as possible.
If you survive the fall, you are already extremely lucky. But, it doesn’t mean that your ordeal is over.
Below the Falls, the water temperature is about the freezing point. This gives you approximately 15 minutes to get out before hypothermia sets in.
Although you’ll be severely bruised and disoriented, you may be able to stay calm and focused and survive the fall into Niagara Falls.
The best way to survive is to be aware of the warning signs and to respect the safety rails.
The Falls are massive!
Are you willing to put your life at risk?
Take a closer look at these photos
People have survived even more severe falls.
Is it possible to believe that anyone could?
What if you fall out of an aircraft?
That’s another story for USA WHAT IF.