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Bungee jumping is, by it’s nature, a dangerous sport.  There is no denying that fact.  However, modern manufacturing methods and safety practices have made the sport much safer over the past decade.  It is certainly safer than the land diving of the South Pacific natives.  Unfortunately, even with all of these advances in the sport, bungee jumping accidents still occur.  In this article we will examine what can happen as a result of bungee jumping.

The most severe bungee jumping accidents can actually be fatal.  Most of the fatalities that have occurred in bungee jumping occur as a result of head trauma.  Miscalculation of the length of bungee cord necessary to complete the jump safely has resulted in several deaths since the sport became a public phenomenon in the late 1970s.  One of the most infamous deaths from bungee jumping occurred during practice for the half-time show of Superbowl XXXI, in 1997.  Laura Patterson, who was practicing with members of her professional team, died upon impact when she jumped from the top level of the Louisianna Superdome.  The accident was blamed on the bungee cords being handled incorrectly.  The half-time show was subsequently cancelled, and a tribute to Laura was performed instead.  Other deaths have resulted from people actually coming loose from the ankle harness.  This has led to the common practice of using a body harness as a back-up safety precaution.

Bungee jumping enthusiasts will be quick to point out, however, that there are only a handful of deaths from among millions of jumps that have been performed over the last few decades.  Even though this is true, there are many other types of bungee jumping accidents that can occur if strict safety guidelines are not followed.  Rope burn, pinched fingers and bruises are among the most common injuries suffered from bungee jumping.  While these may not be attributable to actual bungee jumping accidents, they can be considered an adverse side-effect by most people.

More serious than sprains and bruises are the possibilities of other bungee jumping accidents, such as severe eye trauma, dislocation, back injury, and even broken bones.  These are not highly publicized events, but they do occur nonetheless.  In the case of the eye trauma, increased pressure in the eye an cause a blood vessel to burst near the retina.  This results in blurred vision or loss of eyesight completely.  Although it sounds horrific, this is only temporary, until the body repairs the damage done.  Of more concern would be back injuries and broken bones.  In the case of back injuries, a dislocation or strain on the spine can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering.  That is something to take into account when weighing the risks of bungee jumping.

Bungee jumping accidents do occur, but they can be minimized by following established safety procedures.  It is up to you to ask the right questions.  It is up to the commercial company or club to ensure they have the right equipment and trained operators.  Bungee jumping can be fun, and does not have to involve serious injury if done correctly by trained operators and jumpers.

If you would like to try the sport of bungee jumping, you can select from a number of trip packages that are sure to give you the experience of a lifetime.  You may have a preference in destinations and other available activities;  you can find a bungee jumping trip which will suit your own personal tastes and interests.

If you are one of the most extreme thrill-seekers, you may like the idea of bungee jumping to the top of an active volcano.  Located in Pucon, Chile, you can bungee jump from a helicopter to within seven hundred feet from the molten lava.  You will, of course, be accompanied in the helicopter by both a trained bungee jumping professional and a photographer.  To add to the excitement, this trip includes traveling thirty-five miles to the volcano at high speed and high altitude while on the outside of the helicopter.  This would certainly be an unforgettable initiation into the sport of bungee jumping.

Perhaps your preference leans more toward a great bungee jumping experience without the death-defying risks,  if so,  you might like to try the sport in California’s Angeles National Forest.  In thirteen years of business, Bungee America’s jumpers have  not had any injuries, and has an excellent safety record.  This bungee jumping is done from a ten-stories-high bridge.  You will be able to do front-flips, back-flips, back dive, front dive, or the elevator drop;  and you can choose between one and five jumps.

Located in Northern California, Icarus Bungee also has a perfect safety record.  The bridges which they use for bungee jumping are all a minimum of one hundred twenty feet in height, and some are considerably higher.  All of the bridges they use for bungee jumping are in beautiful locations, which is a wonderful addition to the enjoyment of the bungee jumping trip.

You can also find some great bungee jumping spots in Canada.  One of these is nestled amongst the breathtaking scenic beauty of Vancouver Island.  WildPlay at the Bungee Zone offers the very best of the basics.  If you’re looking for a bungee jumping trip with a no-frills emphasis on the sport at reasonable prices, WildPlay at the Bungee Zone could be the trip you are looking for.  But do not confuse “no-frills” with boring;  for you will certainly have all of the excitement bungee jumping can afford, with the details focused on the sport itself.  Not fancy, just great, would be the best way to describe it!  If you select Vancouver Island for your bungee jumping trip, you can do single jumps or tandem jumps with a friend.  If you are especially adventurous, WildPlay at the Bungee Zone has an annual gathering of jumpers where clothing is optional.

Bungee jumping in Mexico is considerably less expensive, but you will not need to sacrifice any of the excitement.  There are bungee jumping companies in Mazatlan, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta, all of which provide the much sought-after thrills of this sport.

Whatever type of bungee jumping trip you would like, it is available for you!

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!