Bubble wrap ISN'T just for keeping vases safe. Or for keeping small children . . . and adults . . . entertained for HOURS. Apparently, it also SAVES LIVES!

On Monday morning, in Boston, construction workers were doing some work on a building, when one 38-year-old worker FELL 30 FEET.

He went STRAIGHT DOWN, but survived . . . all thanks to a PILE OF BUBBLE WRAP that happened to be underneath him. If that happened in a movie, you'd roll your eyes because it seemed so contrived. But it really happened.

The scaffolding they were using was wrapped in bubble wrap, and workers had been throwing it on the ground. It just happened to form a pile large enough to save this guy's life.

He actually ended up getting STUCK in the bubble wrap, and the fire department had to cut him out. He was hospitalized with back and shoulder injuries, but still . . . he's ALIVE. (ABC 5 - Boston)