As with any sport, bungee jumping has inherent risks. The required waiver for bungee jumping, which warns of possible injuries and even death, might make someone think twice before leaping from a platform. Still, the odds of suffering a bungee jumping accident are slim - considerably more slim than the odds that land divers on Pentecost Island face. Every year, many thrill seekers enjoy safe, thrilling, and to some, invaluable, bungee jumping experiences. The odds of having an accident are approximately 1:500,000, but freak accidents still sometimes occur.
On New Year’s Eve, 2011, Erin Langworthy became the victim of one of these accidents. Her bungee cord broke, resulting in a 365 foot (111 meters) fall. Fortunately, this unlucky 22-year-old from Australia acted with impressive composure.
When the cord broke, Langworthy brought her hands to cover her head. This reaction likely saved her from suffering a more serious, perhaps fatal, accident. Langworthy blacked out after making contact with the icy river, but later said in an interview, “the water was so cold that it snapped me out of it.” After the tremendous impact, she then had to swim through rapids, often being pulled under by the cord still attached to her ankles, until she reached the shore.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Erin stated she may attempt another bungee jump at some point in the future, but her intense experience was probably her first and last endeavor in the extreme sport. After her nearly fatal and possible life-changing experience, Erin noted that was unaware crocodiles resided in the Zambezi River; if she had known this, she probably would have have swam to shore a bit faster.
Erin Langworthy’s story is unique. The bungee jumping operation she worked with never had a rope break before, and bungee jumping companies and clubs regularly perform extensive tests to ensure the quality and safety of their equipment. Still, just as with any extreme sport, anyone considering bungee jumping should carefully weigh the risks and take the necessary safety precautions before making the jump!