Bungee Jumping Equipment

Bungee Jumping Equipment

Specifications here are for informational purposes only. If you attempt to bungee jump without proper instruction you are not only dangerous, but stupid. Proper training is even more important than equipment. Bungee accidents are almost invariably the result of human error. Steve Fettke assumes no liability for the misuse of any information on this web site.

Bungee Cords:

There are two main types of bungee jumping cords, sheathed and all-rubber.

Sheathed cords were the first cords used for bungee jumping, initially by England's Oxford Dangerous Sports Club. Often times these cords are called shok cord or mil-spec (from military specification, they were designed to connect parachutes and heavy equipment such as jeeps, when dropping the load from an aircraft, the cords absorb the shock of the canopy opening, to prevent damage to the parachute). They have a rubber core, encased in a cotton, and/or nylon sheath. These cords look like big versions of the bungee cords you use to strap a load to your car roof, hence the name bungee.

Depending on their weight an individual jumps on three to six, 5/8" diameter cords bundled together. Each cord has a minimum breaking strength of 1500 pounds, and high altitude jumps have been done from aircrafts with over 1000 feet of a single cord. By the correct number of cords for a specific body weight the cords stretch to approximately 2.1 times their resting length while jumping and have a breaking strength that is ten times greater that the forces exerted on them during jumping. Variations of this cord with a longer elongation have been developed for bungee jumping.

All-rubber bungee cord All-rubber cords were developed in New Zealand specifically for bungee jumping. They are comprised of over 1000 individual strands of rubber tied together into one solid cord. All-rubber cord stretches to approximately 4 times it's resting length while jumping. This results in less impact or G-forces to the jumpers body, than sheathed cords. The lack of the sheath results in less friction and heat generation, and hence less loss of energy than sheathed cord. These factors result in bigger rebounds on all-rubber cords. Approximately 85% on the first rebound versus about 75% on sheathed cords. Variations of this cord with less elongation have been developed, stretching to approximately 3 times their resting length. This results in cords with a longer life, about 1000 jumps versus 400, however I feel this results in a jerky ride and less rebound. Another variation of the cord is to include 1" static webbing built onto the cord, such as the cord at left. This serves as a back up and to keep the cord from over-elongating.

I have jumped about 300 times on sheathed cords and about 800 on all-rubber. I wouldn't pass up a jump on either if it were offered by a competent operator.

Harnesses:

Chest and waist harnesses should be used for Waist harness beginning jumpers and shorter jumps. With these harnesses the cord is connected to your body very close to your center of gravity/rotation. This setup produces the least stress on your body.

Ankle harnesses allow for head dips, graceful jumping and advanced stunts. They should be used by jumpers with a little experience. If you jump and just stand straight up, the cord will whip you upside down when you reach the end of your free-fall. Also, at the end of your jump when you are waiting to be raised to the jump platform or lowered to the ground, you are either hanging upside down or have brought yourself into the pogo position (see stunts).

Bungy Knot (not shown) is the New Zealand style ankle tie in. A towel is wrapped around your legs for padding, then a loop of webbing is tied in a slip knot around your ankles.

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