Choosing a Cliff Start off with cliffs with a 20 foot or lower drop. Ask locals or anyone who has cliff-diving experience in the area if there is anything you should know about the particular cliff you want to dive from. Check the water depth out for yourself by swimming around in the water below the cliff before you dive. Make sure the water you will be jumping into is at least 8 feet deep; for every 10 extra feet of cliff height, add 2 feet to water depth. Avoid jumping near waterfalls. Dressing Appropriately Wear tight-fitting clothing, such as a swimsuit or wetsuit. Wear sneakers or water shoes. Consider adding a few drops of olive oil to your ears to help with water pressure buildup after you dive into the water. Swimming Safely Make sure you have strong swimming skills prior to cliff diving. Sign up for a swimming class, if necessary. Practice swimming, as well as jumping feet first, at a local pool before heading out on a cliff-diving adventure. Use the buddy system to take turns watching out for swimmers below. Watch out for currents; if you get swept up in a current, try twisting your body to break free. Just before jumping, make sure no one is swimming in the water beneath you. Using Proper Form Keep your body tight and streamlined while jumping, with arms close to your sides and legs straight but not locked. Keep feet directly below your spine when you jump. When you hit the water, breathe out through your nose. Preparing for Emergencies Never cliff dive alone. Make sure someone is with you in case of emergencies. It’s a great idea to bring a group of friends along, especially if someone has cliff-diving experience. Make sure someone in your party has a cell phone that gets good reception in case you need to call an emergency responder. Never dive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never dive if you feel unsafe.