Facts About Bungee-Jumping
Ever since the first modern bungee jump was made in April 1979, this adrenaline-packed activity has been a magnet for thrill-seekers around the world. Assuming the equipment is properly set up by an experienced crew, bungee jumping requires little to no training in order to make a successful jump. This opens the activity to those looking for a quick dose of the thrill and freedom of free fall without the necessity of a time-consuming training program.
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Sheathed Cords
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Bungee jumps are made with two types of bungee cords: sheathed and all-rubber. Sheathed cords resemble a larger version of the bungees with hooks that you use to strap luggage to your car. They consist of a nylon or cotton sheath wrapped around a rubber core. Depending on the jumper's weight, these 5/8-inch cords are bundled together in groups of three to six and typically stretch about 2.1 times their original length.
All-Rubber Cords
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All-rubber cords are constructed from more than 1,000 individual rubber strands bundled together into a single cord. These cords stretch about twice as far as sheathed cords, which results in lower shock forces to the jumper as well as a longer useful life for the cord.
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Procedure
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The participant is put into either a waist-and-chest harness or an ankle harness, which is affixed to the bungee cord. The excess bungee hangs freely below the jumper and, on jumps from higher altitudes, may be anchored to the jump platform at various points along the cord in order to keep the bungee under control. As the jumper enters free fall, these sections of cord are let loose one at a time, resulting in a smooth cord deployment.
Safety
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If a bungee jump is set up properly with suitable equipment, bungee jumping is an extremely safe activity. As in many extreme activities, the majority of accidents occur because of operator error or neglect.
Records
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The highest commercial bungee jump in the world is located at the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado. The bridge is 1,052 feet in height, and bungee jumps here frequently exceed 800. Commercial jumps at this bridge are infrequent, only occurring for three days in conjunction with the Royal Gorge Go Fast Games.
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References
- Photo Credit Brett Kistler
