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While there are no verified accounts of a skydiver’s actual last words after forgetting a parachute, morbid jokes and urban legends have spawned fictionalized versions. One of the most infamous (and darkly humorous) versions goes like this:
“Hey, does this parachute smell funny to you?”
(Supposedly said to another jumper mid-air before realizing he wasn’t wearing one.)
Other variations include:
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“Wait… was I supposed to grab something?”
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“I paid for the whole plane ride—I’m gonna USE the whole plane ride.”
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“Well… this is gonna be a short vacation.”
Reality Check:
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This is almost certainly an urban legend. Modern skydiving protocols (gear checks, tandem systems, automatic opening devices) make it nearly impossible to jump without a parachute accidentally.
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The closest real-world incidents involve parachute malfunctions (not forgetting one entirely), and even those are rare thanks to rigorous training and safety measures.
Dark Humor vs. Real Risk:
While the idea is a grim joke among skydivers, actual last words in fatal accidents (when recorded) tend to be panicked or technical, like “Cut away!” or “Reserve! Reserve!”
Want a real terrifying skydiving story? Look up “Juliane Koepcke”—a teen who survived a plane crash and 11 days in the Amazon jungle! 🌿✈️
Would you like safety tips for first-time skydivers? Or more infamous “last words” legends? 😅
