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Extreme Bouncing: Getting a Handle on Bungee Jumping
from: Maxx Sports GuidesYou've probably seen people either live or on TV leaping from bridges, cranes and platforms. These crazy people dive headfirst into what seems to be a disastrous encounter with the ground only to be suddenly "saved" at the last moment by a gigantic bungee cord attached to their ankles. You're either someone who might react by shaking your heand and calling them "fools", or perhaps you're be some who exclaimed, "Where's my bungee cord!"
If you're the latter and you're ready to give this crazy, exhilerating experience a try, then you'll no doubt be delighted to hear that it's easy to get started. A bit of research and you discover there are many permanent bungee jumping locations in many large cities, places you can go and "take the plunge" just about any time of the year. You also discover traveling bungee experiences that may come to your area.
Once you've found the right place, it's very easy to get yourself up for your first jump. Bungee, for the casual jumper, doesn't require lots of knowledge or equipment. You just need the nerve and courage to jump. Those who operator bungee concessions are trained professionals who know their equipment and can determine exactly how long a bungee cord should to be for every jumper.
Your 'training' time is short, just a basic explanation of the procedures and likely the signing of a disclaimer that explains the parks responsibility, limits of their liability, and acknowledges you have no known medical conditions that would disqualify you from bungee jumping. They'll also record your height and weight before attaching you to the proper length bungee cord with a harness.
There are two basic types of bungee harnesses you'll often be able to choose from -- an ankle harness (both ankles are usually harnessed) or a body harness. Using an ankle harness to jump is often considered the 'classic' way to bungee jump. Most often you'll also have some type of body harness to serve as a backup, but the actual jump and the bounce(s) will be with your ankle harness. If you're pulled back up or lowered to the ground, the body harness will be used.
The body harness (without an ankle harness) is certainly going to be less stressful on your ankles and legs and usually feels safer for most beginners. A body harness might have the bungee cord attached at your stomach or at your back. When you reach the end of your free fall, when the bungee cord starts to exert its pull, you'll need to be facing either up or down depending on where the cord is attached. But don't worry, your jump operator will provide a careful explaination of the procedure before your jump.
The bungee concession is likely going to have some rules on how you're allowed to jump, but for your information, here's some of the various types of jumps:
First is the "swallow dive" which is accomplished by leaping away from the platform with your arms stretched out like a bird.
The 'back dive' is similar to a back dive you'd do from a high diving board at a swimming pool. Simply jump back and gracefully go into a nose-dive.
You'll likely never be allow to do 'bat drop' at a bungee concession, but for your information, this is a maneuver where you get yourself hanging upside down (the way a bat sleeps), hanging from your toes or having a couple of friends hold your ankles and then you just drop straight down.
An 'elevator drop' is a feet first jump -- you maintain the feet first position until the harness takes over. Warning: If you're jumping with an ankle harness, the 180-degree flip (when the bungee cord takes over) will exert a lot of force on your ankles and legs and could cause an injury.
The 'pogo' is quite a dangerous maneuver that should be done by only an experienced jumper. Using an ankle harness, you jump feet first (the elevator drop) but you're holding onto the bungee cord, near the ankle harness. Ideally, when the bungee cord is fully extended, you'll still be in an upright position and will "pogo" up and down a few times. The reality is, this maneuver has the potential to easily injury you and bungee concession operators tell you to never touch the bungee cords with your bare hands. So be careful, use your common sense, but have a great time!
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