So you are at the top of a ladder and it starts to topple...
Discussion
You hang on, as the base of the ladder being against the ground will slow your acceleration toward the ground.
It's not the same as the situation whereby you launch yourself sideways from a cliff or simply fall, which will make no difference to the final velocity when the ground is impacted.
In this case, the horizontal portion of the movement will be tied up in some part with the lack of acceleration toward the ground.
It's not the same as the situation whereby you launch yourself sideways from a cliff or simply fall, which will make no difference to the final velocity when the ground is impacted.
In this case, the horizontal portion of the movement will be tied up in some part with the lack of acceleration toward the ground.
My instincts would tell me to jump, I'd be worried the ladder would hit/land on me when I got to the ground.
I suppose the best case scenario would be to hold onto the ladder until its at about 45 degrees and then jump clear of where it will land and do a perfect tuck and roll upon landing, thereby avoiding injury. Life rarely works out this well though
I suppose the best case scenario would be to hold onto the ladder until its at about 45 degrees and then jump clear of where it will land and do a perfect tuck and roll upon landing, thereby avoiding injury. Life rarely works out this well though
Ayahuasca said:
Hypothetical.
Are you better off jumping straight off and falling vertically, or hanging on and falling in a graceful arc?
The things one ponders while having a poo...
It would depend whether it was a work scenario or not.Are you better off jumping straight off and falling vertically, or hanging on and falling in a graceful arc?
The things one ponders while having a poo...
If at work, ring Claim & Run Associates and ask which type of fall would maximise your payout whilst the ladder is still shaking.
If at home, get the wife/partner to video the fall and send it to that bald t
t @ ITV.Both scenario's are win situations.
Ayahuasca said:
We need to do an experiment. Emsman!
I nearly did yesterday, taking down the Xmas lights from the gutter. At the top, reaching out with the side cutters to kill a cable tie, 25' from the ground, the ladder shifted slightly, and in a minuscule split second I'd thought "the ladder is too close to the vertical, I really should have somebody holding it, oh well, next time, should I jump or hang on, oh, now it has stopped moving" And the panic was over.
Merlot said:
My dad has a habit of falling from ladders. His trick is to wait until the ladder has fallen most of the way, then roll into the fall so when you hit the ground you are already rolling. Having observed this from afar, it does look pretty good too! 
Sound advice - is your dad the stuntman?There was an incident in the Navy Dockyard in Portsmouth, 2 fellas in a cherry picker were sandblasting a ship in dry dock, they should have been in a cheery picker with a basket that has a wire mesh floor, there was a mix up and their cherry picker had a solid floor.
Grit bouncing back from the ship began to pile up in the floor of the basket....
The cherry picker toppled into the dry dock.
One fella jumped out and fell into the dry dock floor sustaining severe injuries, several broken bones.
The other fella stayed in and hung on, he was un hurt.
Grit bouncing back from the ship began to pile up in the floor of the basket....
The cherry picker toppled into the dry dock.
One fella jumped out and fell into the dry dock floor sustaining severe injuries, several broken bones.
The other fella stayed in and hung on, he was un hurt.
Edited by Huntsman on Friday 8th January 14:46
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