Watchly Safety Review

FINAL SCIENCE CLASS- How to Survive a 5 Mile Fall with No Parachute

Mark Rober
33:42 · 6.6M views · May 6, 2020
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Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026
3Minor Flags
1No Issues

This engaging physics lesson uses real-world examples and hands-on demonstrations to explain momentum, impulse, and force—including how someone could theoretically survive a fall from five miles up. The instructor's enthusiasm for science is infectious, though some experiments (like launching a CO2 cartridge through glass) involve mild risk elements that parents should be aware of.

Content Breakdown · 4 Categories

Realistic Violence, Threats & WeaponsA little

Brief mentions of guns in educational context (space propulsion, rifle barrels) and karate board-breaking. All references are purely educational/physics demonstrations with no threatening context or realistic violence depicted.

See evidence (3)
having a gun in space is actually of useful there are oxidizer so it will fire and you fire it you'll go the opposite directionEarly in momentum discussion
a longer barrel means it will go faster because it just has more time to be under the force of the gasses coming out and a rifle goes faster than a handgunDuring impulse/force discussion
if you're breaking a wood board this is why you shouldn't chicken out
Parasocial & Emotional ManipulationNot present

Very mild parasocial language present in closing remarks ('you have science class in your heart forever more') but this is typical teacher-student rapport rather than manipulative. The presenter is transparent about his reasons for ending the series and sets healthy boundaries.

See evidence (2)
you have science class in your heart forever more and hopefully what we've done here has helped instill that passion within youClosing section
I'll see you guys around on the Internet and as always thanks for watching
Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

Contains a CO2 cartridge rocket experiment that could be considered stunt-like, and references to extreme examples (5-mile fall, skydiving accident). However, these are presented in educational context to illustrate physics principles, not for shock value. The failed live demonstration adds authenticity rather than being manufactured drama.

See evidence (4)
we're gonna see how many glasses we could breakCO2 cartridge demonstration section
so much could go wrong hereSurvival examples near end
A dude fell from 2,000 feet his parachute failed
there was actually a guy who fell from five miles
Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

Contains playful/educational demonstrations involving breaking glass with a CO2-powered rocket, throwing eggs at walls, and discussion of karate board-breaking. All violence is clearly educational, consequence-free demonstration of physics principles with no realistic harm depicted.

See evidence (4)
we'll be doing dangerous things like smashing a bunch of glass with rocketsThroughout - egg throwing demo
I'm gonna throw this egg against this wallGlass-breaking demonstration
if you're breaking a wood board this is why you shouldn't chicken outKarate discussion
breaking glass with CO2 cartridge demonstration

What Parents Need to Know

This is an educational science video that teaches physics concepts through entertaining demonstrations. The instructor discusses a real skydiver who survived a fall into a net and performs experiments including breaking eggs and shattering glass with a pressurized CO2 cartridge. While the content is genuinely educational and the instructor emphasizes safety (wearing goggles), some demonstrations involve breaking glass and discussion of potentially dangerous scenarios. The video also includes brief mentions of the COVID-19 pandemic context and the instructor's decision to end his online class series. There's no inappropriate language, but the glass-breaking experiment and discussion of falls/impacts might be intense for very young viewers. The overall tone is positive and encourages scientific curiosity.

Talk to Your Kids About

  1. 1What was your favorite science experiment from the video and why did it work that way?
  2. 2Can you think of other everyday examples where extending time reduces force, like the airbag or egg examples?
  3. 3Why do you think the instructor emphasizes observation and curiosity as important skills for learning science?
  4. 4If you could ask the instructor one science question about something you've noticed in the world, what would it be?
FINAL SCIENCE CLASS- How to Survive a 5 Mile Fall with No Parachute
Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

We'll be doing dangerous things like smashing a bunch of glass with rockets and talking about the farthest man made object and I'll explain why this is my last one. See you there and don't be tardy or it's a detention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this video safe for elementary school kids to watch?

Yes, this is an educational physics lesson appropriate for most elementary-aged children, particularly those 8 and up. While it includes some glass-breaking demonstrations, the instructor wears safety equipment and the content is genuinely educational. Younger children might not grasp all the physics concepts but can still enjoy the demonstrations.

Does this video teach kids to do dangerous experiments at home?

No, the instructor performs controlled demonstrations to illustrate physics principles and explicitly acknowledges when something is "not advised" or could be dangerous. He wears safety goggles during the glass-breaking experiment and the focus is on understanding scientific concepts, not replicating risky stunts. Parents should still discuss that experiments require proper safety precautions.

What educational value does this video provide?

This video teaches fundamental physics concepts including Newton's third law, conservation of momentum, and impulse (force times time). It connects abstract principles to real-world applications like airbags, car safety design, sports techniques, and space travel. The instructor's approach encourages scientific curiosity and observation skills that extend beyond the specific lesson.

Why does the video mention someone falling five miles without a parachute?

The instructor uses this as a thought-provoking question to teach physics principles about force, time, and momentum. He explains a real case where someone survived such a fall by landing in a net, using it to demonstrate how extending the time of impact reduces force. The discussion is educational and scientific, not sensationalized or encouraging of dangerous behavior.

Is there anything inappropriate or scary in this video?

The content is educational and appropriate, though some elements might be intense for very sensitive children. These include breaking glass during experiments, discussion of car crashes (in the context of safety features), and the hypothetical scenario of falling from a great height. There's no inappropriate language, violence, or disturbing imagery—just physics demonstrations and real-world applications.

Will my child understand the science concepts in this video?

The instructor does an excellent job of making complex physics accessible through visual demonstrations and relatable examples. Children 8 and up should grasp the main concepts, while younger viewers can still enjoy the experiments even if they don't fully understand the underlying principles. The video encourages curiosity and observation, which are valuable at any age.

What age is "FINAL SCIENCE CLASS- How to Survive a 5 Mile Fall with No Parachute" appropriate for?

Watchly's safety review recommends "FINAL SCIENCE CLASS- How to Survive a 5 Mile Fall with No Parachute" for ages 8 and up. See the content breakdown above for the category-by-category findings behind this recommendation.

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