Bungy jumping is completely safe when operated by professionals like AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, who have a proven safety record, strict standards, highly tested equipment, and trained crew, ensuring every jump is carefully controlled. From secure systems to weight limits and weather checks, every detail is designed to minimise risk and keep you safe.
We get it. We can talk all day about how exhilarating, life-changing, and epic bungy jumping is… but the first thing you really want to know is: is it safe?
And honestly, that’s a very fair question.
First things first, let’s be up front about the risks. Like any physical activity, running, skiing, or dancing all night at a club, there is a small chance of minor injuries. Things like bumps, bruises, or the occasional sprain or strain. And let’s be honest, you could get some of these things from sitting at a desk all day. More serious injuries are incredibly rare, thanks to our safety systems.
While no activity is ever completely risk-free, the systems are in place to make the experience as safe as possible, so you can enjoy the jump and not worry about “what ifs.”
You’ll see phrases like “world-class safety” and “38 years of experience” across our website, but when you’re about to leap off a bridge, it’s natural to want more than just words. You want to understand how it actually works.
That’s where Sam comes in. Sam has been part of the crew at AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand in Auckland for the past three years. Before that, she spent several years working in adventure tourism, alongside studying dance at the University of Auckland.
“When I was looking for a change in career, I kept thinking back to my first bungy jump at 17,” she reminisces. “I remembered the Jumpmasters who helped me, and for the first time I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a job I could really love and find meaning in.’”
Several years later, she’s now on the path to becoming a Jumpmaster herself, helping others take that same leap with confidence.
Sam gets asked all kinds of questions every day. If you’ve got a strange or specific safety concern, chances are she’s heard it before. But the one she hears most is pretty simple: “Is bungy jumping actually safe?”
“That’s a VERY valid question,” Sam laughs.
“I can’t speak for every bungy site there is in the world, but as for our New Zealand operations, bungy jumping is very safe. Whether your concern is with our gear, harnesses, the g-force, or the environment, I can assure you that our safety standards are so high that there is minimal room for error.”
So there you have it, as long as you don’t have any pre-existing medical conditions that could affect your ability to jump, everything is completely safe. And you don’t have to just take our word for it, all our sites are inspected by external auditors and certified by WorkSafe.
“On a mechanical level, all of our equipment is checked daily, verified by professionals, and well cared for. So, is bungy jumping actually safe? With us, our proven safety record says it is.”
We are sure that’s helped settle things, but we know you probably still have more questions. And that’s completely normal. After all, it’s human nature to ask a few “what ifs” before stepping off a ledge.
So, what actually goes into maintaining that level of safety?
Every morning, all of our gear is inspected by members of the jump crew, like Sam.
“The bungy cords, ropes, carabiners, and all connection points and recovery operations are all physically inspected and/or cross-referenced every morning. Prior to someone jumping, the cord, ropes, knots, and connections to the jumper are (thoroughly!) visually and verbally double checked by both operators! ”
By now, your heart rate might be starting to settle a little… So yes, it’s safe.
But what about that moment at the bottom? Is there a big jolt? Could you get whiplash?
When you dive off a bungy, that big “jolt” people imagine at the bottom, Sam debunks as “actually a bit of a myth.”
She explains: “The cord is designed to absorb the impact and stretches significantly when you reach the bottom. Because of this, the experience is incredibly gentle. You feel more like it’s a really good stretch than a jolt! When you start doing fancy tricks etc., there’s more room to get a ‘jolt’ sensation, but that only occurs if you don’t follow the Jumpmaster’s instructions and try to do things differently!”
By now, you might be breathing a little easier… No jolt, got it. Don’t attempt fancy tricks. Check.
But your brain’s probably scrambling for the next question: “Okay… but what if the cord… snaps?”
This question always makes Sam giggle. “A cord has never snapped at one of our sites, but here’s how we prevent it… One thing AJHBNZ strives to be the best at is safety – and this is my favourite example. All Bungy cords have a lifespan of ‘x’ jumps, UV exposure hours, hours of use, etc.”
So what does the AJ Hackett team do?
“We remove a bungy cord from service when it’s only a fraction of the way through its technical life, keeping its operational life active while the cord is at its freshest.”
“Between consistently checking our cords multiple times a day and routinely replacing them, we can spot an abnormality in a cord almost instantly. You can rest assured that the cord you jump on is not only safe and won’t snap anytime soon, but we have a finger on its pulse and always know exactly what condition it’s in. Because of this, we’ve never had a cord snap at AJ Hackett Bungy NZ.”
And if the cord is your primary concern, rest assured that we are always looking to optimise. Right now, that includes exploring an upgraded system where the backup is built in even more seamlessly. Early results are looking promising, so… watch this space.
You’re probably blowing out a relieved breath and shaking off your last bit of apprehension now. But then another thought slinks in and suddenly your heart’s ramming at your chest again: “What about the ankle harness? Is there any chance it could come loose?”
Luckily, Sam has an explanation for that as well: “The types of foot cuffs (ankle harnesses) you wear vary by site. However, they’re all designed in a way that you’d have to put some serious (and intentional) effort into getting out of them.”
She adds that their job is simply to keep you comfortably upside down during the jump.
“You are always connected by two points of contact. All of your safety attachments are connected to your main harness! We’re beyond the days of relying solely on foot ties!”
Phew. That settles that. By now, you’re probably starting to relax. Maybe your finger’s even hovering over the “book now” button… until another thought pops into your head.
Sure, the safety procedures are solid, but what about the weather?
“For most sites in New Zealand, rain doesn’t scare us,” Sam grins.
“The things we really keep an eye on are strong winds, thunder and lightning, and visibility. If the weather isn’t looking great, our team immediately starts assessing conditions against our operating standards. We’ll never run jumps if anything is outside our safety limits.”
Okay… that’s reassuring. You’re this close to booking… but then you remember something else Sam mentioned earlier: Medical conditions.
Suddenly, you’ve got one more question you want answered before you take the leap.
“When someone arrives to do a bungy, we ask them to go through a quick list of medical conditions and let us know if anything applies,” Sam explains. “A lot of people can still jump with the right precautions in place, but some conditions (like heart issues) do require doctor approval before we give the green light. One thing we never allow, though, is doing an activity if pregnant.”
She adds that weight limits are also strictly followed.
“We have set weight limits for every experience, and we never compromise on those. As for age, you just need to be over 10 years old. We don’t believe in a maximum age… where’s the fun in that?”
Another common question is whether bungy jumping can cause injuries.
Sam says, in short, “no.”
But it can aggravate pre-existing injuries, which is why being upfront is so important.
“If you tell us about a pre-existing injury, we can often adapt the experience to make it safe and comfortable,” Sam says. “But we can’t help if we don’t know.”
So there you have it, all your safety questions answered. Now the only question left is… what are you waiting for?
FAQ’s
1. How safe is bungy jumping in New Zealand?
Bungy jumping is very safe when operated by experienced professionals like AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand. Each jump follows strict safety procedures, including daily equipment checks, double-checked harness systems, and constant monitoring by trained crew. All operations are also independently audited and certified to maintain high safety standards.
2. Can the bungy cord snap during a jump?
No, cord failure is extremely rare and has never occurred at AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand sites. Each cord is closely monitored for usage, UV exposure, and lifespan limits, and is replaced well before it becomes a concern. Combined with frequent inspections, this ensures every cord is in top condition for a safe jump.