Lions Bay Search and Rescue is warning the public about the dangers of cliff jumping after a 20-year-old man suffered a dislocated shoulder at a popular jumping spot on Monday afternoon.
The rescue team responded to a call at approximately 4:40 p.m. at a marine park south of Lions Bay, where they found the injured man in significant pain. The man had jumped from a cliff about 10 meters high, which is not the highest point at the site but still sufficient to cause serious injury.
Search manager Brent Calkin reported that the jumper hit the water at an estimated speed of 50 to 60 km/h. He explained that the man was windmilling his arms during the descent, causing his arms to be outstretched upon impact. At that speed, the force of the water can easily dislocate a shoulder.
The victim received pain medication before a paramedic and an emergency room doctor on the scene successfully relocated his shoulder. He was then transported by a Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue boat to Horseshoe Bay, where paramedics took him to the hospital.
Calkin noted that Lions Bay Search and Rescue responds to injured cliff jumpers once or twice a year, but many more individuals likely suffer minor injuries and leave without seeking help. He urged people to reconsider before jumping, stating that even jumps from 10 to 20 feet can lead to injuries.
According to B.C. Adventure Smart, any jump from a height carries risk. A person jumping from three meters (10 feet) hits the water at about 27 km/h, while a jump from six meters (20 feet) increases that speed to roughly 40 km/h. Even entering feet first can cause spinal compression, bone fractures, concussion, or a collapsed lung.
