Most serious bungee accidents trace back to a short list of failures: the wrong cord for the jumper’s weight, a cord or attachment that was not checked, or a misheard command on the platform. The guides here look at what is known about how often things go wrong, walk through well-documented cases such as Erin Langworthy at Victoria Falls in 2011 and Michael Lush in 1986, and explain the checks that exist to stop each failure.
If you are booking a jump, start with the accidents overview for the real risk, then read the guide to choosing an operator and the safety standards guide for what to look for on the day. The age and weight limits guide lists the rules at major sites so you can check you qualify before you pay.
7 articles in Safety
Bungee Jumping Accidents & Deaths: How Often, Causes, Is It Safe?
How many people die bungee jumping, what the 1-in-500,000 figure really means, how real accidents happened, and what to check at a site before you jump.
When Bungee Cords Snap: How Bungee Jumping Goes Wrong
Snapped cords, wrong cord lengths, missed attachments and misheard commands: how real bungee jumps have gone wrong, and the checks that exist to stop each one.
Erin Langworthy: The Victoria Falls Bungee Accident (2011)
What happened when Erin Langworthy’s cord snapped over the Zambezi on New Year’s Eve 2011, how she survived, and what the investigation found.
Michael Lush's Bungee Jumping Accident
What happened in the 1986 Late, Late Breakfast Show "Hang 'Em High" rehearsal, what the inquest found, and what it changed.
What Safety Standards Actually Protect You on a Bungee Jump
What safety standards actually protect you on a bungee jump: gear checks, weight limits, double-checks, weather rules, and how to spot a serious operator.
How to Choose a Safe, Reputable Bungee Operator
What a safe bungee operator looks like: regulation in New Zealand and the US, cord inspection and retirement rules, the jump master’s role, questions to ask and red flags that mean walk away.
Bungee Jump Weight Limit and Age Limit by Operator (2026)
Minimum and maximum weight, minimum age, tandem limits and medical rules at 11 major bungee sites, checked October 2026.