a fireman is running to get a net under a lady who looks like she might jump off the balcony of her 20 story apartment building. There is nothing below her except a 20 story fall. The firemand is still 100 yards away when she falls and can't nearly get there in time. The woman is not hurt more than a bruise. How is that possible?
Whickerman's answer is best, it's a 20 storey building, but she may be just a short way up. A first floor balcony would produce little more than a bruise if she landed well.