parachutes

[Scarlett]

I had a discussion with a taxi driver about what one could do re. working or living in sky scrapers, should you have to jump out of the window to save yourself. Surely all floors over a certain height should have a parachute per person, like in a plane? So in case of fire or other emergency you could jump and at least increase the possibility of survival?

[kempie]

Such a system already exists.

Several companies have taken advantage of this new demand by marketing parachute systems to office workers, hotel guests, emergency workers, and high rise tenants. One example, �The Executive Chute� is being advertised as a �last resort� when fleeing a structure over 20 stories. While the idea of marketing an emergency escape system itself is an admirable idea, it is highly irresponsible to sell these parachutes to people without adequate training. Their web site makes it seem like anyone could just pop it out of their desk drawer at work and saunter out to the nearest ledge and leap to safety.

Another company, Precision Aerodynamics, is marketing the �Emergency Building Escape Parachute System�.

...and cost about $1000 each.

[stanleyman]

Sounds a good idea in theory but... You would need training to parachute and jump from a building, height is a factor, plus a proper launch site otherwise you would probably kill yourself anyway.

I hate to be the one to tell you this but most aircraft do not have parachutes but they do have lifejackets if you are lucky enough to ditch safely in the sea, and then survive the cold water long enough to be rescued.

[brachiopod]

Gently broken, stanleyman.

The "..like in a plane" comment caught my eye too.

[stanleyman]

I do my best!

[jake-the-peg]

There is an activity called BASE jumping which basically entails parachute jumping from cliffs, tall buildings etc. It is insanely dangerous. If you open the parachute too late you crash to the ground, too early you are blown into the structure.

I seem to recall a program where the BBC followed a group of about half a dozen over a six months and one was killed and another made paraplegic.

Add this to the fact that you've got to find a place where you could actually get out of (you can't just break the glass with a desk)

Frankly I think these systems are marketed at neurotic VPs and I'm not sure how much of a chance you'd actually have.

BTW - a parachute each in a plane? - who do you fly with?

[flip-flop]

Are you really going to be bothered that you haven't had enough training if Canary Wharf is ablaze and you need to leap????????

[qapmoc]

FF has got a good point there really, who would give a damn about training, correct take off points, windage etc... with a nice strong barbecue waiting outside your office/apartment door. Just strap on and juuummmpp.....
The only problem might be that at high levels you can't usually open the windows far enough to get out anyway, Hmmm I suppose the kit must come with an ice axe kind of gadget for the windows.

[tubeway]

or why not place bouncy castles or trampolines at the base of the building. Canary Wharf is not too far frpm water - maybe if you took a run you could land in that .

[jake-the-peg]

You'd have fun trying to escape from the top of the "gherkin" in a parachute!

[-=BigD=-]

I reckon that big cables should shoot out the sides to the ground and everyone should clip on and slide!!! with some kinda dampening system to slow you down.

"Fire! fire! fire!... Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

Awsome.

Scarletts obviously been flying with Areoflot!

[BillyBB]

Perhaps a 'Death Slide' rope to another building would be a more workable solution.

I can just see certain nationalities from escaping certain death by parachute but then suing for a sprained ankle etc

[andy-hughes]

The main argument against parchuting from an office or apartment building is the strong likelyhood of smacking into the side of an adjacent building before reaching the ground.

Base jumpers practice control of their 'chutes by trying out off cliffs first - they know what they are doing before they step out into the business or high-income-level residential areas of the world - their walls and windows are just as unforgiving at that speed!

[brachiopod]

Just grab a nice, fat Company Director as you jump, you'll then have something soft to land on.....

[Scarlett]

I just have that awful image in my mind of 9/11 when people were jumping because it was PREFERABLE to the other option- be burned alive, I guess. Surely anything would be better than nothing- even if it saves one life??!

[kempie]

Here you go - Evacuchute

[Tim B]

I was considering, "which is better, broken legs and internal injuries or DEATH?" The answer is mostly definitely, break a window and use a pararachute. I've just read the last post (no pun intended) and I agree even more positively now. Unless you're extremely lucky or can surf to the ground on debris anything over 30 foot is fatal. Get a parachute.

Merry Christmas Bruce Willis.

[bymis]

buildings dont need to have parachuttes as i beleive they all now have Fire Doors. to resist fire many are able to withstand 60mins of fire which should be a sufficient amount of time otherwise there is more than one fire escape designed into the building.

[Tim B]

According to the fire authorities all buildings over 50 stories are death traps. Get a parachute!