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Study "Proves" Parachutes Ineffective

posted by Fnord666 on Sunday December 23 2018, @03:55PM   
from the Science-Interpretation-Guide dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes:

https://www.bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k5094

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/22/679083038/researchers-show-parachutes-dont-work-but-there-s-a-catch

A study has been done, and the surprising result is that parachutes are no more effective than a backpack in preventing injuries when jumping out of an airplane.

It's "common sense" that parachutes work, so it has been a neglected field of science. This surprising and counter-intuitive result is an excellent example of the importance of doing science.

... or maybe it's a perfect example of how top-line study headlines can be mis-representative, especially when portrayed by the mass-media, and how understanding study scope and methodology is important.

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Original Submission

• Can't wait for the youtube videos Can't wait for the youtube videos (Score: 2) by EvilSS on Sunday December 23 2018, @05:08PM (1 child)

  by EvilSS (1456) on Sunday December 23 2018, @05:08PM (#777860)

  "Is an empty backpack just as good as a parachute? We put it to the test!"
  
  I can only hope they test from higher altitudes than used in this study.

  Starting Score:	1		point
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  Total Score:		2

• Re:Can't wait for the youtube videos (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 23 2018, @05:34PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 23 2018, @05:34PM (#777868)

  The empty backpack could hold more supplies, so it is quantitatively better.

  Parent