Safety Guide
How to Inspect Water Depth
Inspecting water depth properly is one of the most important safety steps before cliff jumping or entering unfamiliar outdoor swimming locations.
Never Assume a Spot is Safe
Just because a location was previously safe does not mean it is safe the next time you visit. Water levels, rocks, debris, currents and submerged hazards can change significantly over time due to weather, tides and natural movement.
Every location should be inspected again before use, even if you or somebody else has jumped there before.
Check the Landing Area First
Before jumping, enter the water safely and inspect the landing zone thoroughly. Look for rocks, submerged branches, shallow sections and sudden depth changes that may not be visible from above.
Visibility in outdoor water can often be misleading, especially in darker water, moving rivers or shaded areas.
Star Fishing
A common inspection technique sometimes referred to as “star fishing” involves diving below the landing area and spreading your arms and legs outward to check for nearby obstacles around you.
This can help identify submerged hazards that may not be visible from the surface, however it should never replace careful overall inspection of the entire landing zone.
Understanding Safe Depth
Required water depth depends on jump height, body position and water conditions. Higher jumps require significantly deeper water to reduce impact risk safely.
As a general rule, deeper is always safer. Never rely on rough guesses or assumptions when assessing depth.
Important Reminder
Outdoor water environments can change rapidly and unpredictably. Tombstone Map does not guarantee the safety or accuracy of any location shown on the platform.