January 10 2025 Garand picture of the day

[Bob Womack]

A friend's son was in the 82nd Airborne in the 90s. The did an exercise jump with all kit. A friend of his landed in such a way that the stock of his rifle caught him under the rib cage. He simply continued into the ground like a sack of potatoes. The medic rushed to help but he was gone. The pressure of the stock during the landing had ruptured his heart.

Bob

[jond41403]

That's horrific Bob. Does anyone know what the force of a fully loaded paratrooper hitting the ground would be? I imagine it would have to equal a small car crash in some ways. With all that gear, especially in world war II, that small parachute is only going to slow you down so much. I just wonder if the impact has ever been measured. I imagine it would be a lot like being in a car crash at about 35 mph. I know absolutely nothing about paratroopers really except they all have 10 lb balls haha

[Mark in Rochester]

I just wonder if the impact has ever been measured.

In summary, a parachutist with a mass of 35.5 kg (78.264lbs.) lands with a speed of 3.85 m/s (12.631 ft/s) and comes to rest over a distance of 0.700 m. Using the equation Vf^2=Vo^2+2ax, the resulting force exerted by the ground is 375.86 N. (85 lbs) However, this does not take into account the weight of the parachutist, which must also be factored in to accurately determine the force exerted by the ground.

Reference: The Force Exerted by the Ground on a Parachuter

[jond41403]

Thanks Mark! Very interesting read in the link

[frankderrico]

They are all tough!

[eb in oregon]

With all that gear, especially in world war II, that small parachute is only going to slow you down so much. I just wonder if the impact has ever been measured. I imagine it would be a lot like being in a car crash at about 35 mph. I know absolutely nothing about paratroopers really except they all have 10 lb balls

Which is the reason for the PLF (parachute landing fall), to distribute the impact over your body. Not using the PLF hurts bad. I only jumped twice, my second PLF sucked and it took months for my back to get better. One reason for my 10% disability for my back. And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.

[browningautorifle]

And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.

I took one of those to the back of the head in '76, left a scar...the cargo hatch it was.

[eb in oregon]

I took one of those to the back of the head in '76, left a scar...the cargo hatch it was.

Hurts doesn't it? The x-ray of my back is entertaining to look at, there isn't hardly a straight section left. That slam took about three months to heal also. I had to strap and brace up to attend drill, but I didn't miss a one.

[jond41403]

Thank you for your service Eb in Oregon and BAR!

[Sapper740]

And getting slammed into front of the roof hatch of an M113A3 when it came to an abrupt halt.

In Canada we called Armour types Zipperheads for good reason.