Safety Instructions for Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is a wildly-popular adventure activity for thrill-seekers. At first only taken on by special sports clubs and daredevils, the sport later expanded to a wider audience when AJ Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungee jumping facility in New Zealand in the 1980's. Since then, many changes have been implemented to increase the safety of bungee jumping equipment and practices.

  1. Health Concerns

    • Be healthy and in good physical condition before you consider bungee jumping. As with any adventure activity, there are inherent risks for people with conditions such as high blood pressure, or spine, leg, breathing, and circulatory disorders. For pregnant women, or those individuals who have recently undergone surgery, it is best to avoid bungee jumping. Thrill-seekers with any doubts, should consult with a physician before bungee jumping.

    Where to Jump

    • Only bungee jump with proper supervision. Either join a certified bungee jumping club, or bungee jump with a certified operator. Before you go, make sure the club or operator is certified by the British Elastic Rope Sports Association (BERSA) and has been regulating bungee equipment and procedure safety standards since the 1980's when the sport first became a popular. Ask to see information regarding safety records and compliance with BERSA regulations, as well as compliance with local government regulations. Different states and countries have differing regulations on bungee jumping.

    Preparation

    • On the day of the jump make sure you are physically and mentally prepared. If you are going with a certified, professional operator, there should be nothing to worry about. You are dealing with a psychological issue of perceived danger (you are jumping off a high object, which your survival instinct does not like) versus actual danger (very low, so long as your club or operator adheres to all safety regulations).

      Avoid baggy clothing and leave any loose articles with a friend or loved one. Watches, cameras, glasses, hat, and sandals all can very easily fall off during the jump. For traditional bungee jumps with ankle-harnesses, you should stare out at the horizon and jump straight out into a swan dive to avoid damage to your back. Full-body harnesses allow for a variety of jumping positions. The bungee expert on-site should coach you on this before you jump.