Skip the courage workbook. Do the boring list so jump day is not a scramble for ID, the wrong shoes, or a medical surprise at the desk.
Operators differ on exact rules. Read theirs. This is the core set that keeps showing up.
Health and honesty
Read the medical list before you book. Heart conditions, pregnancy, recent injuries, uncontrolled blood pressure, severe asthma—sites screen for these for a reason.[1] Some cases need a doctor note. Pregnancy is a hard no at serious operations.
Tell them the truth. Lying to keep a booking is how people get hurt. Weight limits are real and enforced; commercial sites match gear to mass, not vibes.[2]
Show up sober. Alcohol or drugs at check-in get you refused, often with no refund.[2]
What to wear
Closed-toe shoes. Sneakers work. No flip-flops. Comfortable clothes for the weather. Empty pockets. Secure or remove loose jewelry. Long hair tied back.[4]
Many operators ban your regular glasses during the activity and offer prescription goggles instead—ask before you panic about vision.[2]
You don’t need a special outfit. You need gear that stays put when you are upside down.
Documents and logistics
Booking confirmation. Photo ID if they require it. Payment method. Emergency contact if the form asks. Check cancellation rules: weather cancel by them is usually reschedule or refund; you bailing last-minute often is not.[2]
Arrive early—many sites want you 15+ minutes before the slot so check-in and briefing are not a sprint.[2]
Know transport and parking. Some remote platforms are shuttle-only. Plan a buffer for weather holds.
What they will do (not you)
Weigh you. Fit harness. Brief you. Double-check connections. Pick or adjust cord for load. Final inspection before countdown.[1][3]
Your job is follow short instructions and keep hands off finished checks. Their job is the system. If the process looks chaotic, leave.
Mindset that fits on a sticky note
Sleep the night before. Eat something normal. One quiet support person beats a hype squad.
Decide while calm: after final check and their countdown, you jump on their call. Until then you can still say no out loud.
That is the whole mindset section. Everything else is optional.
Bottom line: honest medicals, weight and clothing that fit the rules, papers ready, early arrival, and a yes/no decision made before the platform. Fear still shows up. Logistics should not.
Sources
- AJ Hackett Bungy NZ: Is bungy jumping safe?
- AJ Hackett Bungy NZ: FAQs (weight, clothing, alcohol, arrival, refunds)
- Illinois Admin Code: Bungee jumping operations checklist
- Bungee Jump Scotland: Health and safety (clothing, weight)
- Harvard Health: Understanding the stress response
Image credits
- Photo: Mat cross at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
- Photo: Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)