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Bungee jumping has taken the extreme sports world by storm. Over the last few decades, millions of people have completed successful jumps. So now, it is your turn. You are getting ready to jump and you are excited. But where do you jump from? What are your options when it comes to the location? In real estate, it is always said that the most important thing is ‘location, location, location’. Is this true about bungee jumping as well? Let’s take a look at some of the options for where to bungee jump, and how the jumps are completed in these environments. This will help you to make an informed decision when you get ready to take the big dive.

Probably the most common place to bungee jump from is the crane. In this scenario, a crane is used with a cage on the end. The cage is lowered to the ground, and the jumper is prepared, rigged up, and attached to the bungee cord. The bungee cord is then attached to the cage. The jumper is then raised up to the jump height using the crane. Often times the jump master will hold the coiled cords to prevent them from tangling up during the jump. Once the cage reaches the jump height, the jumper jumps from the cage, bouncing at the end of the jump. Upon completion of the jump, once the jumper is no longer bouncing, the cage is slowly lowered to the ground. The ground crew is prepared to catch the jumper as he is lowered and safely remove him from his harness. Once the jumper has cleared the platform, the bungee cords are recoiled and everything is inspected and prepared for the next jump participant.

So where else can you bungee jump? Another prime location for a bungee jump is from a bridge. Many successful jumps have been done from a variety of bridge types as well. When jumping from a bridge, the jump team usually assembles a platform for the jumper to jump from. The jumper is then harnessed up, and attached to the bungee cords. The cords are then anchored to the bridge. Once everything is ready, the jumper jumps off the platform. A variation of this allows the jumper to jump from the rail of the bridge as well. The jumper will bounce around 2-4 times before coming to a stop. At this point the jump crew will usually lower down a secondary static line. When the jumper clips this line to their harness, it is then used to pull the jumper back onto the bridge. This is the safest recovery method used to get the jumper from the bottom jump position. Another method that is sometimes used is to pull the bungee cord up enough to un-hook it from the bridge, and then use the cord to lower the jumper to the ground.

In addition to these tried and true places for bungee jumping, there is no end to the quest for where to bungee jump. In the progression of this modern extreme sport, bungee jumping is taking place from buildings, towers, cable cars, hot air balloons, and even cable cars. There is no end in sight to the locations that will be explored in the bungee jumping adventure.

As with all sports, there are some people who are more suited to bungee jumping than others. Those who are naturally inclined toward seeking the most extremes of thrills and excitement are those who will most likely be drawn to bungee jumping. It is certainly not a sport for the timid, the nervous, the faint-hearted! One of the most basic components of this sport is the extreme nature of it– the amazing rush of adrenalin you will receive from plummeting downward at high speeds, your life and safety guarded only by elastic bungee cords and, in some cases, a body harness. It is easy to see why there is virtually no other sport which can compare to the experience of bungee jumping.

Given the daredevil, death-defying aspect of this sport, it should not be surprising that there are more men than women who go for bungee jumping. It is also not surprising that younger people choose this sport much more frequently than older people, as older people are generally less inclined to engage in activities which present unnecessary risks. Some studies have also shown that most women are not impressed with men who base their “macho” image on activities such as bungee jumping, and even consider it to be reckless behavior. For the women who do have an interest in bungee jumping, however, there is a very clear emphasis on participating in this sport rather than being a spectator.

Many people place bungee jumping in the category of things they would love to try, but lack the courage. Others simply consider the risks to be too great. Obviously those who have preexisting health conditions which would make bungee jumping more risky for them would be wise to steer clear of this sport. Children who are too young to be fully aware of the risks involved should also not participate in bungee jumping. Pregnant women should definitely avoid bungee jumping.

You can safely assume that bungee jumping companies which advertise that this sport is for anyone and everyone are not demonstrating adequate responsibility for the lives and health of their prospective customers. In addition to these obvious factors, to be basically average in height and weight is also important, as these factors contribute to the safety of the jumping itself, as well as the general body-type size that the bungee jumping equipment has been designed for.

If both your health and temperament are suited to this sport, and you have decided that it is something you definitely wish to try, it is essential to select a bungee jumping company that is both reputable and responsible. For all prospective bungee jumpers, but especially beginners, having the knowledge beforehand that the equipment is correctly designed, maintained on a regular basis, and handled properly during its use, will contribute to both your safety and your peace of mind.

If you meet these basic requirements, and have assessed the potential risks as being worth taking for the experience, you may be one of those who is well suited for the sport of bungee jumping!