Five Bungee Jumping Questions

By: NickyWalker Click author's name for more of his/her articles

1 - How do I want to go bungy jumping? This question will help decide how high off the ground you will be when you do your bungy jump. Do you want to use a commercial crane outfit, or are you looking for something more in tune with nature? Perhaps jumping off of a bridge towards the earth and a running stream of water would be more appealing to your sense of adventure.

2 - What club or outfitter will I use? This question is of primary importance, as it relates directly to the safety of the experience you will have. Not all bungy jumping clubs or commercial outfitters are the same. Make sure that the jump team, especially the jump master are all certified. The club or company should participate in a certification program as well. Do your homework here, both with the company and with local governmental offices and consumer advocacy groups such as the Better Business Bureau. Be sure you are selecting a reputable group that abides by the best safety practices out there.

3 - What position will I jump in? There are a variety of positions available to most bungy jumpers. First timers will often want to do the swan dive, while more experienced jumpers may prefer a different method. Some outfitters offer what is called the water touchdown. Confident in their abilities to correctly calculate the exact length needed, they provide the opportunity to go into the water at the bottom of a bridge jump. This is best done in an area where the water is fairly deep. Obviously this is a more dangerous jump than the regular bungy jump position. Knowing how you will jump and what to expect will prepare you in advance for your jump (as much as possible).

4 - How will the recovery be done? It is important to know how you will be retrieved once your jump is over. You don't want to be stuck at the end of the bungy cord, upside down, for a long period of time. Most outfitters will let down a secondary line that you will attach to your harness, allowing them to pull you back up. Some, however, prefer to allow slackening of the bungy cord in order to lower the jumper to the surface. This is, however, a more dangerous method. You should be aware in advance so you can be prepared after the jump.

5 - How much is this going to cost me? While this shouldn't be a primary determining factor of if you are going through with it or not, you don't want to get ripped off. The average cost of a bungy jump is in the neighborhood of $100, give or take depending on your location. This can sound intimidating, but remember, this is a once in a lifetime experience (even though many participants return over and over to this type of event), and your decision to participate should not be based solely on the cost.

These five bungy jumping questions will assist you in making the best decisions possible on your jump. Don't allow these things to make you timid, just remember, 'Carpe Diem, Sieze the Day!'.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Nicholas has done lots of bungy jumps, mainly in New Zealand. His next dangerous sport will hopefully be cheese rolling in in Britain in May 2010.