The internet is full of shocking and disturbing videos that often go viral and attract millions of views. One of the most infamous examples of such a video is the “diving face split” video, which shows a young man diving off a bridge and splitting his face open on the concrete below. The video then cuts to a hospital scene, where the man is still alive and conscious, but his face is literally split in two. The video is graphic, gruesome, and horrifying, and has been widely circulated online since 2009. But what is the story behind this video, and why is it still popular today?
The Origin of the Video
The video was reportedly filmed in Beirut, Lebanon, sometime in June 2009. The teenager and his brother were showing off their diving skills by diving off the Manara Promenade, which is right across from the American University on the shore of Beirut’s harbor. This part of the Promenade is called Al-Rawsha, and it’s long been popular with divers, although officials have always frowned on it.
The first part of the video shows his brother making a successful dive. The victim and his brother had made several jumps before, and everything had gone fine, but this time the victim slips and disaster unfolds. He hits the concrete face first, then goes into the ocean. In a short while, the ocean for yards around has turned red with blood. There are people and boats in the water trying to help the guy and girls are screaming all over the place.
The second part of the clip is the same kid in the hospital, but was shot with a different cellphone so it looks different. The hospital staff is definitely speaking Lebanese Arabic. This part of the clip was shot in the brightly lit ER of the American University Hospital, which is only ¼ mile away from where the accident took place. As you can see in the hospital footage, they have the boy intubated, which is an excellent idea. However, he is not on a ventilator, nor are there any signs of monitoring equipment such a pulse oximeter. Also they did not put him in C-Spine precautions (C-collar, backboard, strapped down). The physician is focusing on holding his face together, possibly in order to protect the airway. A couple of times, the doctor takes the sides of his face and pushes them together to make a whole face again. The doctor supposedly says, “Where do I begin?” a few times in Arabic.
The Controversy Over the Video
The video has been widely debated over its authenticity and morality. Some people claim that the video is fake, staged, or edited for shock value. They point out various inconsistencies or implausibilities in the video, such as:
- The lack of blood or brain matter on the concrete or in the water.
- The lack of reaction or panic from the bystanders or divers.
- The poor quality or lighting of the video.
- The absence of proper medical care or equipment in the hospital.
- The unrealistic survival or consciousness of the victim.
- The possibility of using prosthetics or makeup to create the split face effect.
However, others argue that the video is real, and that it shows a tragic accident that happened to a real person. They cite various sources or evidence to support their claim, such as:
- The eyewitness accounts or testimonies from people who were present at the scene or knew the victim.
- The news reports or articles that covered the incident or identified the victim.
- The medical records or documents that confirmed the diagnosis or treatment of the victim.
- The photos or videos that showed the victim before or after the accident.
- The expert opinions or analyses from doctors or forensic specialists who examined the video.
According to some sources, the victim’s name was Mohammed Said Ismail Musallam, and he was 16 years old at the time of the accident. He survived the initial injury but died later in intensive care due to complications from infection. His family reportedly sued the hospital for negligence and malpractice.
The Popularity of the Video
The video has been widely shared online since 2009, especially on platforms such as Reddit, YouTube, LiveLeak, TikTok, and others. It has been viewed by millions of people around the world, and has generated thousands of comments and reactions. It has also inspired various memes, parodies, remixes, challenges, reactions, and other forms of content.
The video has been described as one of the most shocking and disturbing videos ever seen on the internet. It has been compared to other notorious videos such as 2 Girls 1 Cup, 3 Guys 1 Hammer, Funky Town, and others. It has also been used as a form of shock media, prank, or test, to see how people would react to it or if they could watch it without flinching or vomiting.
The video has also sparked various discussions and debates over its ethical, moral, psychological, and social implications. Some of the questions or issues that have been raised by the video are:
- Why do people watch or share such a video?
- What are the effects or consequences of watching or sharing such a video?
- How should such a video be regulated or censored?
- How should such a video be treated or respected?
- How should such a video be interpreted or understood?
The video has also been used as a case study or example for various topics or fields, such as:
- Media literacy or criticism
- Internet culture or subculture
- Viral marketing or phenomenon
- Human curiosity or fascination
- Trauma or resilience
- Empathy or apathy
- Reality or illusion
The Conclusion
The diving face split video is a shocking viral phenomenon that has been circulating online for over a decade. It shows a young man diving off a bridge and splitting his face open on the concrete below. The video then cuts to a hospital scene, where the man is still alive and conscious, but his face is literally split in two. The video has been widely debated over its authenticity and morality, and has generated various reactions and responses from viewers. The video has also sparked various discussions and debates over its ethical, moral, psychological, and social implications, and has been used as a case study or example for various topics or fields. The video is one of the most infamous examples of shock media on the internet, and has become a part of internet history and culture.
