COSTA RICA: Bungee Jumping

It’s always nice to try new things and live life on the edge. Yesterday, we featured some of the most exciting bungee jumping sites in the world. Well, there are always two sides to the coin, so let’s take a look at some of the worse bungee jump fails in the world.
1. Costa Rica

It’s impossible to live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself. So, we can always learn from the mistakes of others. This jumper almost got his arm snagged by the cord because he jumped the wrong way. Fortunately, he survived. For newbies to the sport, it’s recommended to jump outwards, face down, as if you’re diving into a swimming pool.

2. South Korea

Accidents sometimes happen. When the bungee cord fails to recoil, this jumper falls 49m headlong into the river. The water breaks his fall and he is able to swim to safety and climb out of the river without any help – or major injuries. According to an employee of the bungee company, the accident happened because “the part that held the cord in place had released”.

3. South Africa

Despite being with a reliable service provider and taking all the necessary precautions, things sometimes still go wrong. An Australian backpacker falls 111m headlong into the Zambezi river when the cord snaps while bungee jumping off a bridge at Victoria Falls. When she hits the water, part of the cord is still attached to her feet and she is swept towards the rapids on the river that separates Zambia and Zimbabwe. Miraculously, she manages to swim towards the Zimbabwe side of the river, avoiding any crocodiles, and hauls herself out even though she fractured her collar bone and was severely bruised.

4. Unknown location

Prank or not, if you are the type that pisses or poops in your pants when you are terrified, never wear white or light coloured pants when going bungee jumping. After all, if this kind of embarrassing incident happens to you, you’d not want the whole world to know about it!

5. South Africa

Though not really considered a failed jump since he completed it, this has got to be one of the funniest reactions from a jumper at the world’s highest bridge bungee jump at 216m off the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa. What a screamer!

6. Russia

Bungee jump without a rope? Brave but not that smart. A reckless woman jumps without a harness, but instead clings onto her boyfriend who is attached to a cord. Hold on tight, or else!

7. USA

It pays to jump with a reliable service provider because they would have the knowledge and experience to ensure that the cord is always much shorter than the height you’re jumping, to give allowance for stretching because … guess what happens when the cord is too long. SPLAT!

8. Mexico

When the cord breaks, it’s safer to land in the water because that would break your fall. Of course, it’s better if you know how to swim and there are no dangerous creatures like crocodiles around.

As with every sport or activity, there’s always a certain element of risk. But as long as you use a reliable service provider, listen to instructions, follow good examples and learn from the mistakes of the bad ones, there’s no limit to what one can achieve. Do bear in mind that sometimes, fluke accidents might still happen. But don’t let that stop you from living life to the fullest.