How to Jump Off a Cliff and Live

Today I went bungee jumping for the first time in my life.

Jumping off a ledge might seem like a simple thing, but it isn’t. Here is how to do it if you ever feel so inclined to go bungee jumping.

1) Lie to yourself

No rational person would throw themselves off a ledge, so you have to lie to yourself to do it. Just like how everyone lies to themselves when they do something unnatural that human beings aren’t supposed to do, like fly. We tell ourselves that flying is the safest form of transportation, accidents are rare, etc. etc. The fact remains, you are flying in the air and you are not a bird and if you crash, you will die.

Likewise, you need to convince yourself that bungee jumping is perfectly safe. There have been no serious accidents at this bungee location. You are more likely to get hit by a car crossing the street, get the Ebola virus from a rogue New Zealand sheep, or getting hit by a meteor. The truth of those statements is irreverent. You just need to believe it’s true.

When I was standing on the edge, I realized that it was safer to fall forward that it was to fall backward.

2) Recite the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear*

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

3) Take one step forward

That’s it. Now you can bungee jump.

Seriously, it was pretty neat. Falling through the air is a very disorienting experience. The first second your arms and legs just flail around like in a cartoon because you have no control. By the time you orient yourself, its pretty much over and your hanging on a rope hundreds of feet below the ground. That is probably scarier because you can sit and look and think about the fact you are hanging there by a bunch of rubber bands.

I should also mention that it was raining while I jumped, which makes it even more impressive….to me at least.

* That one is for all the geeks out there.

9 thoughts on “How to Jump Off a Cliff and Live”

  1. I’ve done that one as well. I really didn’t like this one. You should definitely go for the Nevis! Much nicer and better for the back than this one.

  2. That was amazing!

    Definately something i would like to do in the future, i envy you trying all these things and visiting all these places! I’ve never even left my island (UK)

  3. Excellent! Next stop, sky diving! If you liked the bungee, you’re gonna love the skydive.

  4. Thanks for having some cajones! More stuff like this!! I’m over here going to Dr. Mudd’s house, and you’re jumping off a cliff! YAY! This is one thing to mark off you list of “things I need to do to become a superhero”. What is next?

  5. Did I sign my life away? yes

    Did i pay extra for the video? no. It was a sale. I got it free because I jumped between 12 and 3pm. I also got a t-shirt.

    I cost about US$100. Maybe a bit more.

  6. Glad to see you have not lost all of your inner geek.

    I would think that bungee must be something you’d want to do more than once — after a couple times you can get “good” at it, like diving, and have better form at least (no flailing).

    Just curious — how much did they charge you for the jump? Was giving you the video extra? I take it you sign your life away?

  7. [quote]2) Recite the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear*[/quote]

    Hehehe, and here I thought I was the only one to have actually done this on occasion. Though, right now (being the LOTR fan I am) I’m more on the Namarië myself…

  8. Hey I’m from texas, live in denton so im a big PVP fan. I saw this from the sight and saw the video. I jumped off the same platform back in ’98 and just wanted to say that was a great discription of jumping. I did it the ankle tied one and it was a blast too. Near Queenstown was a great boat ride called cleverly enough the Shot over jet. If you are still in the area id deffinatly recommend it

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