The Announcement Board

Cliff and Bridge Jumping Safety 101

by

Robb Wallace

NOTE: Cliff and Bridge jumping is very dangerous.

Ok now that’s over with.
Locations

When looking for a jumping spot, local knowledge and good research are never to be over looked. If you are a first time jumpers I would highly recommend going hiking with skilled jumpers to experience this awesomeness, is that even a word.

Speak to other jumpers so you can find the spots. When you are there you will have to find the exit routes, as most of the jumps will be into water that is walled in by cliffs. How high was that cliff you just jumped? Rescues from these watery delights are no small feat. Always scout your exit and always have a mobile phone on hand.

Local knowledge is key, for instance there is a gorge in Scotland with some good jumps, in this particular gorge there is a run off pipe upstream of the jumps from the Hydro power station/Dam.

The whole gorge can rise 15 vertical feet with the most ferocious and unforgiving churning white water in under 3 minutes.

Please note: Research the gorge area thoroughly, also remember that rain in the catchment area for the gorge is responsible for the water levels not rain in the gorge area.

Things to consider

• The cliff/bridge height. I personally have not went any higher than 70 feet but cliffs up to 100 feet have been jumped. Again this is Dangerous, with a capital D.
• is the water deep enough? Always cheek this, I have scouted jumps that look dark and deep that were just over 3 feet deep, that’s broken leg country.
• is the cliff overhanging? If its overhung ,you better jump out as far as you can and make sure you don’t slip on the take off, ouch
• is the take off solid with good footing?
• Distance from the jump spot to civilization, transport, a car is usually required due to the nature of cliffs and gorges.
• Whats the weather like? Do you have the right equipment -see below

Equipment

Equipment is weather dependent but saying that I will always jump with 4 key pieces of equipment

• Buoyancy aid or PFD (personal flotation device) as if something goes wrong, I’m going to float and this could be the deciding factor between life and death. You can pick one up for £20 ,Just buy it.
• Helmet – this protects the head.
• Wetsuit – I live and jump in Scotland and its just not practical to go jumping with out one.
• Shoes- Indispensable a good pair of trainers

Other equipment we take.

• A throw bag – universally useful bag of floating rope , depth testing ,height testing, climbing out and rescues, another top piece of equipment.
• Mobile phone – In a water proof bag or housing
• First aid kit - kinda self-explanatory.

Jumping technique 101.

Now jumping correctly is key, to your enjoyment. Things to consider ,hitting the water with your feet first. No seriously with your feet first any other way is just not a good look .

Now remember your head like mine weighs a few kilos and where ever you look your head will follow and then your body will rotate. I have the philosophy of LOOK, DONT LOOK, then JUMP.

• Look- Pick your spot , where your going to land.
• Don’t look- Because if you do you at the start you will land on your face.
• Jump- To where you planned, take of with both feet to start, jump with your chest out arms back, this is good for your balance ,keeps your weight centered
• Pull your hands in tight or you will get a big slap and it hurts.

This is just a easy way to start jumping, once your comfy you will develop your own way.

Safety
Always keep your spider senses on.
There are some other factors to consider but these I think are the keys.
Good jumping and be safe.

Robb

EDITED for grammar & OB links by Skorch

Tags: bridge, bridge jumping, cliff, cliff jumping, jumping, robb wallace, safety

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm and is filed under Cliff Jumpers, The Advice Column. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.