Bungee jumping is definitely not a sport for the faint of heart. If you watch a line of people who are waiting to bungee jump, you would be surprised at how many of them back out at the last moment. Falling from a high place is among the most fearful scenarios for many people. You will feel like you are in space because gravity will not work. However, if you can Stomach your fear and allow yourself to take that first jump, you will discover that it is one of the most adrenaline-filled and extreme activities. Most people, after their first jump, can't help but come back for more of the sheer rush of adrenalin.



You are most likely familiar with the concept of bungee jumping, but here is a short recap just in case: an extremely strong and extremely stretchy cord is attached to the jumper's ankles. He or she then leaps off of the jumping point and free-falls to the stretch capacity of the cord. The cord jerks the jumper back up, and he or she proceeds to fall again, and get jerked back up again. This process is repeated until the jumper has stopped bouncing. Being jerked up and down doesn't sound very pleasant, but the truth is that it is ridiculously exciting.

Despite seeming dangerous, bungee jumping probably has the least number of accidents as compared to any of the other extreme sports. This is because it requires no experience and no skill. All you have to do is jump, and you will have a good time falling and screaming on your way down. Most people worry about one of two things. The first is that the rope will snap. This is not even an issue, since all commercial bungee jumping ropes go through strict quality tests to insure your safety. The second thing people worry about is that they will swing down and smack against a wall. This can be minimized by the bungee jumping operators who can have the bungee jumping platforms far from a rock cliff. If you are going on your own without any professional help then you need to be extremely cautious and keep away from the cliff.

However, bungee jumping is not without its risks. Although the chances of equipment failure are extremely low, there are other hazards in the actual fall. One of the most common is back injury. Since jumpers are being snapped around like rag dolls, those who are less limber might end up pulling a muscle or even dislocating something. There have also been many reports of eye injury during to bungee jumping.

There are many bungee jumping opportunities across the world. Wherever you can find a dam, bridge, or canyon that provides more than a few hundred feet of height, you will find a bungee jumping platform. Some of the most famous ones include the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland, the Bungee Tower in Cairns, and the highest one of all: the Macau Tower in China. All of these provide professional, commercial help in getting your equipment on and getting your form perfected.

Bungee jumping, due to its nature, is not very competitive. However, there are several different things that might allow for some competition within the sport. The first is acrobatics. There are a few specialized competitions that judge Bungee jumpers based on the moves that they can pull when in the air. The best acrobatics win the contest. There have also been attempts to continue one-upping the highest jump. Currently the record lies with the Royal Gorge jump in Colorado, which was only open for a few days during a sporting event.

The very thought of bungee jumping gets the adrenaline pumping. If you are one of those who love to try new and exciting sports, then bungee jumping will definitely be exciting, and fast.