"A lot can go through your mind in a split-second”: Survivor stories of falling from height

Abstract

This paper provides insight into the lived experience of individuals who have survived falls from height. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse qualitative questionnaire and interview data from four participants and from the author, who is a fellow fall survivor. Overarching themes were ‘Making sense of the fall’; ‘Chance and Agency’; ‘Impact’ and ‘Recover and Reflect’. The analysis identified the importance for survivors of developing a coherent narrative to situate the fall within the life-story. Processes of meaning-making and the role of blame, guilt and fault in the construction of accident narratives were also examined. First-hand accounts of physical and psychological consequences for fall survivors provide medical and therapeutic professionals with an opportunity to improve their understanding of and care for fall survivors.