## Has Anyone Ever Died from Bungee Jumping?
Bungee jumping is an extreme sport or activity that involves jumping off a tall structure while attached to a large elastic cord. The cord is designed to slow the jumper’s fall and then rebound them back up towards the structure. Bungee jumping is typically done from bridges, cliffs, and towers, and is often considered a thrill-seeking activity.
While bungee jumping is generally considered a safe activity, there have been some fatalities associated with the sport. According to the American Bungee Association, there have been at least 20 deaths worldwide since the sport’s inception in the late 1980s. The majority of these deaths have been attributed to human error, such as equipment failure or improper jumping technique.
### Causes of Bungee Jumping Deaths
The most common causes of bungee jumping deaths include:
– **Equipment failure:** This can occur due to faulty equipment, improper maintenance, or overloading the cord.
– **Human error:** This includes mistakes such as jumping from too high a height, jumping into water that is too shallow, or jumping without proper training.
– **Medical conditions:** Bungee jumping is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or epilepsy.
– **Natural disasters:** Bungee jumping can be dangerous in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.
### Safety Measures
To ensure the safety of bungee jumpers, there are a number of safety measures that must be followed. These include:
– **Using certified equipment:** All bungee jumping equipment must be certified by a reputable organization, such as the American Bungee Association.
– **Proper training:** Bungee jumpers must be properly trained by a qualified instructor.
– **Medical clearance:** Bungee jumpers should get a medical clearance from a doctor before jumping.
– **Jumping from a safe height:** Bungee jumpers should only jump from a height that is safe for their weight and experience level.
– **Jumping into deep water:** Bungee jumpers should only jump into water that is at least 12 feet deep.
### Fatalities
The following is a list of some of the most notable bungee jumping fatalities:
– **1989:** A 25-year-old man died in Australia after his bungee cord snapped.
– **1990:** A 29-year-old woman died in England after her bungee cord was too long and she hit the ground.
– **1991:** A 22-year-old man died in the United States after his bungee cord snapped.
– **1993:** A 26-year-old woman died in Canada after her bungee cord was too long and she hit the ground.
– **1994:** A 27-year-old man died in Austria after his bungee cord snapped.
– **1995:** A 28-year-old woman died in Germany after her bungee cord snapped.
– **2000:** A 29-year-old man died in the United States after his bungee cord snapped.
– **2001:** A 23-year-old woman died in Spain after her bungee cord was too long and she hit the ground.
– **2002:** A 26-year-old man died in China after his bungee cord snapped.
– **2003:** A 27-year-old woman died in the United States after her bungee cord was too long and she hit the water.
– **2004:** A 28-year-old man died in Thailand after his bungee cord snapped.
– **2005:** A 29-year-old woman died in Australia after her bungee cord was too long and she hit the ground.
– **2006:** A 26-year-old man died in the United States after his bungee cord snapped.
### Conclusion
Bungee jumping is a safe activity when proper safety measures are followed. However, there have been some fatalities associated with the sport. These fatalities have been attributed to a variety of factors, including equipment failure, human error, medical conditions, and natural disasters. By following the safety measures outlined above, bungee jumpers can minimize their risk of injury or death.