The term "bungee jumping" typically evokes thoughts of a person flying through the air with a bungee cord attached to their ankles. Since 1979, when the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club performed the first modern bungee jumps, this form has been the standard. However, the technology behind bungee jumping has yielded several variations.
In an effort to create a safer bungee experience, Troy Griffin invented the reverse bungee in 1978. This ride, which is also known as the catapult or bungee rocket, has become a popular fairground attraction. It consists of two towers that feed bungee ropes down to a two passenger steel car. This "car" is generally in the form of an open sphere. The car stays in place due to an electromagnet while the ropes are stretched and potential energy is building. When the magnet is switched off, the car is released into the air, traveling upwards with a g force of 3 to 5. The car spins between the ropes as it travels, reaching heights of 180 to 260 feet.
Reverse bungee is usually seen as a safer alternative to bungee jumping, but nevertheless, the death of Jerome Charron occurred on a reverse bungee jump. Investigators determined that the accident occurred because of a poor decision by an operator who admitted to making unsafe alterations to the ride.
A company called Funtime created a new form of reverse bungee. Instead of using rubber cords, the ride, called slingshot, uses a spring propulsion device. This design takes passengers to a height of 330 feet and speeds around 100 mph. Rides such as this can be found at many amusement parks.
Bungee trampolines, yet another variation of bungee jumping, can be found at fairs, camps, malls, amusement parks, private parties, and events. This design consists of two poles placed opposite of each other. Bungee ropes are connected to these poles. Participants are fitted with a harness and attached to the ropes. As they jump on the trampoline and gain momentum, the operator tightens the bungee cords, allowing the jumper to reach heights that would otherwise be unreachable.
Bungee running can be found at fairs and is popular among children. Bungee running is a game involving two individuals attached to separate bungee cords. The players run down an inflatable lane, stretching the cord. Generally, the participants use a Velcro marker to record the distance they were able to run before being yanked back by the bungee cord. Whoever makes it farthest wins the game.
Sky jumping is a controlled free fall, similar to a base jump. The jumper, attached to a wire, leaps off the platform, building, or bridge, and falls at a rate of around 40 mph before slowly coming to a stop on the ground. This activity has a very low risk of death and injury and is seen by many as an alternative to traditional bungee jumping.
Last not but not least: bungee jumping off of a ramp. Bungee jumping off of a ramp is a relatively new thrill enjoyed by bikers, skiers, and anyone else that is willing to, well, launch themselves off a ramp. Participants begin at the top of a ramp, attached to two bungee cords at the waist. The cords are attached to steel cables that slide down as the jumper proceeds towards the end of the ramp. After flying off the ramp, the jumper safely bounces up and down on the bungee cords.
For many or most people, it takes more than a small amount of courage to enjoy bungee jumping. Anyone who is afraid of heights or the possibility of injuries may never bring themselves to take such a leap. However, with all of these variations (and more) available, just about anyone can experience a part of the thrill enjoyed around the globe known as bungee jumping.