High Diving, or Platform Diving is done from a height of 10m, which is 3 times the height of normal diving, and into a specific high diving pool. From a height of 10m divers can accelerate to speeds of upto 40 miles per hour and consequently the impact on to the body, arms, head and neck can be very severe.
As you would expect the risks in high diving are very high because the margins for error are very small. It is a precision sport and consequently needs training, tuition and experience. It is recommended that you do not go straight to the high platform when you are in a diving pool rather build up your confidence and understanding of what the sport entails.
High diving is very different to Cliff Diving. High Diving is done in as safe an environment as possible with an adequate depth of water to make the entry into the water safe, there will always be safety options around and help nearby if required. Cliff Diving is not covered in Grade 4 Activity Insurance because there is no control on the outside influences, such as depth of water, height, tides etc.
High Diving is a grade 4 level sport because the risks are high and injury can be very serious. Divers hitting the water from a great height can experience neck, back and head injury amongst other things. It is always recommended that if you are going to try high diving on holiday you should get adequate activity and travel insurance to cover every eventuality.
