Physics of Bungee Jumping

While modern bungee jumping has become known and practiced worldwide, what is less understood is the physics behind bungee jumping.  Interestingly enough, the extreme sport originated from spiritual rituals of South Pacific natives, who had no idea of the science behind the sport.  Modern bungee jumping enthusiasts find much comfort in the idea that someone has worked through the math required to perform a safe jump.  So who developed the physics of bungee jumping and how sure are the modern practitioners of the sport that it is relatively safe?  Let's start by taking a look at the origins of the science behind the sport.

Years before the discovery of the land diving natives on Pentecost Island, a British mathematician named Robert Hooke was discovering the physics of bungee jumping.  He began working as an assistant to the famous scientist Robert Boyle in 1653.  However, it wasn't until 1660 that he formulated and wrote down Hooke's Law of Elasticity.  In laymen's terms, Hooke's law basically tells us how much tension a spring can endure, and the maximum length it will reach.  Hooke's law can be used on any material that is considered linear-elastic, or stretching lengthwise.  Oddly enough, rubber is usually considered non-linear, because variations of stress and temperature can have a significant impact on the elasticity of the rubber.

Today, modern practitioners of the physics of bungee jumping don't have to be as well-versed as Hooke.  Depending on the bungee cords used and their ratings, the science has been simplified quite a bit.  The commercial proprietor who is offering 'bungee jumping' as an extreme sport still has to be on their toes.  Cords that are manufactured to meet a well established United States military specification (mil spec) are perhaps the best to use.  This is simply because of the rigorous testing that must go in to making sure they meet the mil spec.  Most of these cords have a specific weight limit and elongation potential.  Using these numbers, along with the length of the jump and the weight of the jumper, the calculations can be made.  The length of rope needed, how many strands are needed for the weight, and how much beyond the normal length of the cord the jumper can expect to go.

The physics of bungee jumping has changed some with advances in the material used in bungee cords.  Some cords are also 'pre-streched' so there is less elasticity and bounce, and a more forceful shock and return from the bottom of the jump position.  The problems with some jumpers using cords that were too long are the result of not understanding the physics of bungee jumping.  Even though modern bungee cords are weight and elongation rated, some people still fail to take this into account when performing amateur jumps.  This is why it is highly recommended that anyone who wants to learn bungee jumping should consult with a professional.  This is not a sport that you can learn and practice at home.  The physics of bungee jumping have been simplified by 20th century manufacturing standards, resulting in a much safer sport for everyone participating.

Naked Bungee Jumping

There's a new trend in bungee jumping, but I wouldn't exactly say that it's taking the world by storm. So what is this new angle on the ancient sport of bungee jumping?  How about naked bungee jumping.  OK, so I know you think I'm crazy, but there hundreds, perhaps thousands out there who will swear by this experience.  Let's take a few minutes to look at the possible attraction, as well as the detractors, of this bizarre variation on the sport.

First, it is interesting to note that the natives who have performed the ritual that has become bungee jumping for thousands of years wear very little clothing.  I'll admit, it must be a bit different jumping from a make-shift wooden tower using a jungle vine attached to your ankles.  This is a far cry from modern bungee jumping.  However, these native young men wore nothing more than a flimsy loin cloth on their plunge to please mother earth.  So in some primitive, instinctual way, there must be a spiritual attraction of sorts in performing naked bungee jumping.  Some people who choose to participate in this variation of the sport have admitted to being extreme naturalists, even nudists.  Of course, there are those who complete nude bungee jumping who wouldn't qualify as nature lovers at all.  

A common theme that is seen at the special events held for such display is that of a couple performing a tandem jump.  A tandem jump is simply a jump where two people go together, usually tethered together, facing each other.  There is obviously some primitive expression of sexuality in this type of event.  However, more modern couples are choosing to participate in naked bungee jumping to show their devotion to one another.  Taking the plunge can now be applied to more than just marriage!  Many couples who share their experience afterward say that there is a definite bonding that takes place.  Sharing an adrenaline rush such as the death-defying act of naked bungee jumping is something that will tie them together forever in their eyes.

Another reason many people choose to go 'full monty' on the ropes is because it is usually cheaper.  Yep, you heard me right.  Although the time investment and equipment used by the jump company is the same, the cost is less.  Some companies even allow those brave souls who want to go naked bungee jumping to go free of charge.  These types of promotional efforts appeal to those who are of a more frugal nature.  Some companies that offer naked bungee jumping do so once a year, on a pre-planned date or weekend event.  This helps make the event more palpable to the public.  Imagine going to an amusement park and seeing people riding the rides naked!  It would be a great shock, especially if you did not know that it was planned that way.  By scheduling the special jumps for a specific date, the promoters of this type of event avoid that aspect of publicity.

It's growing among the ardent fans of the sport, as well as the newcomers.  It seems to have no defining characteristic except that those who perform it are lovers of adventure.  So whether you believe in the spirituality of it all or not, naked bungee jumping is here to stay.

Modern Bungee Jumping

Modern bungee jumping started with a jump from a suspension bridge in Bristol, England, on April 1, 1979.  Obviously, it was no April fool's joke.  From a height of 250 ft., four friends from the 'Dangerous Sports Club' leapt into the history books by taking the historic plunge.  They were promptly arrested by the authorities shortly after completion of their activities.  However, this failed to dampen their spirits much.  They moved their jumping activities to the United States, where the jumped from the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, California.  They also managed to secure sponsorship from the American television show 'That's Incredible' for their jump from the Royal Gorge bridge in Colorado.  Their perseverance helped bring modern bungee jumping to the spotlight of the media, and the masses.

Bungee jumping takes place around the world today, from Australia to the United States, to many countries in Europe.  It is well respected as a dangerous and extreme sport.  Despite it's obvious dangerous aspect, millions of people have successfully completed jumps since the onset of modern bungee jumping.  Indeed, tens of thousands of bungee jumpers take the plunge each year, in an ever-increasing variety of ways and places.

Many commercial endeavors have sprung up because of the rise in popularity of bungee jumping in the modern sports world.  One of the most notable and respected outfits is the A. J. Hackett Bungee Company in New Zealand.  A. J. Hackett founded the company in the late 1980s, after popularizing the sport with his own jumps.  Indeed, he contributed to the modern bungee jumping by developing a new type of bungee cord.  He personally demonstrated his new super elastic bungee cord when he jumped from the Eiffel Tower in 1987.  His company has done a great service to the sport by helping to develop modern means and methods that provide a safer form of bungee jumping.

Modern bungee jumping has even crept into some aspects of mainstream western culture.  For example, there have been a few major movies that have featured a bungee jump in their plot.  One of the most well-known of these movies would be the James Bond spy-thriller, 'GoldenEye', from 1995.  In this particular film, Bond is shown performing a bungee jump from what is supposed to be a dam in Russia.  While the jump was actually performed, and was not computer or artist generated animation, the actual location of the jump was incorrect.  The filming actually took place at the Versazca Dam in Switzerland.

Modern bungee jumping has even become a sport that in which the participants are striving to outdo one another.  The Guinness Book of World Records has become involved, and has recorded what they have officially deemed as the 'highest commercial bungee jump'.  This jump takes place from the Bloukrans River bridge in South Africa.  At over 700 feet above the floor of the valley, it is an astounding feat indeed.  While other jumps have taken place from higher locations, this particular locale is considered the highest because it is purely a bungee jump.  There are no additional cords or secondary safety cables ... just the good ol' bungee cord.  Like it or not, it looks like modern bungee jumping is here to stay.

How Did Bungy Jumping Become So Popular?

Some people love anything that is new.  Some people love anything that is adventurous.  Put both of those key elements together and it is easy to see how bungy jumping very quickly went from being one individual inventing an elastic rope and tossing himself off high structures to a legitimate sport which has gained worldwide popularity in a relatively short period of time.  Twenty-five years ago no one had heard of bungy jumping;  today, it is all the rage--  everywhere!

Bungy jumping is one sport for which the aspect of newness is constant.  Whether a person is attempting his very first jump or has made it a consistent part of his lifestyle, the element of adventure is such that each and every jump is a fresh experience.  Even if you frequent the same bungy jumping sites on a regular basis, this is a sport in which every experience is different, and each time feels like the first time.  Adventure-seekers of all ages and backgrounds will delight in this factor, because no matter how long you engage in the sport of bungy jumping it is something which will never become routine.  The excitement is present whether it is your first jump or your twentieth!  

The overwhelming sense of adventure helps in making bungy jumping so popular.  There are many people who are naturally drawn to all of the aspects of thrill-seeking, from the adrenalin rush it has on one's entire system to the knowledge that one is essentially risking life and limb and hoping to win the game.  There are no other sports that compare in these factors, which makes bungy jumping quite unique.  

For those who have the time and resources to travel, this too plays a positive role in bungy jumping's popularity.  While it isn't difficult to find a jumping site convenient to one's home area, companies which offer bungy jumping expeditions add to the enjoyment, as do faraway locations which make the bungy jumping experience a great vacation.  

For individuals who have youth on their side, many feel the desire to experience everything that life can possibly offer.  The more, the better;  and the more intense, the more better yet.  For the many who wish to try every extreme that can be found, this sport presents the most unforgettable experience. Those who feel the need to "try everything once" will find nothing lacking in bungy jumping!  Being able to capture it on videotape for future reference, and to share with less-adventurous colleagues, is certainly an added bonus.  Your bungy jumping experience on videotape could also be the factor needed to prod others into trying the sport for themselves.  

Sometime in the future surely someone will feel the need to analyze this sport and what its allure is to those who choose to engage in it either as a hobby or a lifestyle.  It would make more sense, though, to merely describe bungy jumping as fun--  and that in itself is a good enough reason for its popularity.  

Five Bungee Jumping Questions

There are five bungee jumping questions that you need to ask when you decide to go jumping.  Here's what they are, and why they matter.

# 1 - How do I want to go bungee jumping?  This question will help decide how high off the ground you will be when you do your bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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 bungee 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!'.

Do You Want To Learn Bungy Jumping?

Perhaps you have decided to take up the sport of bungy jumping, but would prefer some professional training before taking the plunge.  Or perhaps you have thought a lot about bungy jumping, but still have not reached a conclusion as to whether you want to try it or not.  If you find yourself in either of these categories, you can benefit from taking some bungy jumping classes which are designed to teach you everything you need to know and have a bit of hands-on experience under the guidance of skilled instructors.  This way, you can have the confidence of knowing you have learned the basic skills needed for bungy jumping before you take your first death-defying challenge.  

As there are already a number of classes in various locations for bungy jumping staff members, it shouldn't be long before suitable classes are also open to the general public to assist them in gaining the important knowledge and skills needed for this sport.  You can decide if this is something you would like to consider as an option;  if so, check to see when classes like this are available in your area.  

Another possibility for learning all about the sport of bungy jumping is to begin as a spectator.  While this may also help you decide whether or not you are personally suited for bungy jumping, you will have the chance to view this amazing activity as close as you can be without actually participating.  With this goal in mind, you can watch either your friends doing their own novice bungy jumps, or you can see perfection in motion by viewing trained professionals.  In addition to watching bungy jumping first-hand, you can also utilize a video camera so that you can focus on all the details of the jumps later on.

While you can probably gain the helpful cooperation from most of the companies that provide bungy jumping by simply requesting the chance to begin your initiation into this sport as a spectator, there are some of the companies which already present it as an option and consider spectators to be a basic part of their customers' bungy jumping experiences.  One that lists this as a trip option in itself calls it the "Auckland Ultimate Bungy Jump Spectator" part of their Adventure Tour.  Offered by New Zealand on the Web, it includes a guided bridge walk where you can watch the action from a safe point.  Not only will this give you the chance to take in the excitement up-close, you will be able to learn the basics from those who are actually participating.  Taking still-pictures or making a video of the action will allow you to view it at a later date when you can pay close attention to the details.  

Whether you choose the method of "watch and learn" or seek training from skilled professionals, you will be at an advantage when you finally decide to take your first solo jump.  The more you know beforehand, the more you will want to take part in bungy jumping.  

Bungy Jumping In America

Although there are many bungy jumping sites in countries all over the globe, many Americans who have developed an interest in this sport would prefer locations that are closer to home.  Fortunately, there are plenty of places in the United States where prospective bungy jumpers can begin trying out this fascinating new hobby.  Whether you'd like a plan a traveling vacation centered around bungy jumping, or if you want a day of excitement nearer to where you live, it is not difficult to find a bungy jumping location which suits your needs.  You may just decide to make it a part of your lifestyle.

Some of the prime bungy jumping sites in the United States can be found in California.  Due to its year-round mild climate, outdoor sports in general are very popular in this state, and bungy jumping is no exception.  Bungee America, which is located in Los Angeles, is one of the most well-known in Southern California.  Since it first opened in 1989, Bungee America is the oldest bungy jumping company in the country.  This fact, coupled with their perfect safety record, may help you in deciding that Bungee America would certainly be a good choice for your bungy jumping trip.  

Pioneer, California, is home to Bungee Experience, which has been an operating business since 1989.  It was founded by Glenn Bruno, one of America's first bungy jumpers.  They usually schedule bungy jumping once per month between April and September at various Northern California bridges which are no lower than one hundred forty feet.  They also offer bungy jumping excursions to higher bridges around the United States.  

In Washington state you can find the Pacific North West Bridge surrounded by the area's breathtaking scenic beauty.  Bungee.Com provides for this location's bungy jumping;  if you elect to become a member of their Dangerous Sports Club you will be entitled to special members' discounts for your future trips.   

Located in Wisconsin, the Extreme World's sports park has bungy jumping as its main attraction.  The Extreme World Bungee Jump tower, at a height of one hundred thirty feet, is currently the only bungy jumping provider in the midwest that allows this sport to be done without the use of traditional ankle harnesses.  Your Extreme World bungy jumping experience will have you plummeting toward the ground at a speed that accelerates to forty mph.  After your fall has been successfully completed, you will be given the opportunity to purchase a videotape of your experience.

Over the Edge, Inc., in Boise, Idaho, offers bungy jumping for individuals and groups. They have bridge sites in various parts of Idaho, or they will take you on an excursion to any of their nineteen other bungy jump bridges in the western United States.  One favorite is the Grand Canyon Jump, located at the northern tip of the Grand Canyon.  Another popular bungy jumping experience offered by Over the Edge, Inc., is the one hundred sixty foot jump at Yellowstone National Park.

Wherever you are in the United States, and whichever part of America you would like to be the destination for your bungy jumping, there are plenty of options available.