ASTM F3785-25

1.1 Bungee jumping as it pertains to this standard is an activity where a participant (jumper) is connected to a bungee cord and harness system and, when directed jumps or falls from a height from a designated jump point. The jumper then descends via gravity until the elastic bungee cord starts to stretch, slowing the descent until stopping by reaching the maximum stretch of the bungee cord for the jumper’s weight and velocity at which point due to the elastic properties of the bungee cord, the jumper will then move upward. This process repeats itself until the jumper’s vertical position stabilizes after which the jumper is moved to a location where the bungee cord system is removed, and the activity is completed.

1.2 In this practice, criteria are established for the design, manufacture, construction, installation, integration, operation, maintenance, auditing, and modifications of a bungee jumping site for the primary purpose of amusement that occur(s) after the effective date of publication of this practice except as noted in 1.3.

1.3 This practice shall not apply to:

• 1.3.1 Bungee jumps from helicopters and hot air balloons;
• 1.3.2 Bungee zipline;
• 1.3.3 Bungee trampolines;
• 1.3.4 Rides using elastic elements to launch participants, including bungee catapulting, reverse bungee jumps, ejection seats, and similar rides;
• 1.3.5 Inflatable bungee runs;
• 1.3.6 Controlled descent devices;
• 1.3.7 Playground equipment covered by Consumer Safety Performance Specification F1487-25;
• 1.3.8 Amusement rides and devices whose design criteria are specifically addressed in another ASTM International standard;
• 1.3.9 Preexisting designs that are installed after the publication date of this practice if the design is “service proven” or “previously compliant” as specified in Practice F2291-25.

1.4 Units—The values stated in Imperial units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 The rationale for developing a separate practice for bungee jumping sites is based on the unique functional, operational, and jumper participation requirements when compared to other amusement rides and devices.

4.2 The purpose of this practice is to provide designers, engineers, manufacturers, constructors, system integrators, owners/operators, and auditors with criteria and references for use in the design, manufacture, construction, installation, integration, operation, maintenance, auditing, and modifications of bungee jumping sites.

4.3 It is important not only to observe the rules in this practice, but to understand them, why they are necessary, and the dangers of their neglect or abuse. There are two fundamental principles that underline and shape this practice and shall be considered by the designer/engineers, manufacturers, and operators of bungee jumping equipment, systems, and procedures and shall be applied whenever the benefit exceeds the inherent risks. These are the principles of competence and redundancy.

4.3.1 Competence:

• 4.3.1.1 In the context of this practice, the principle of competence can be defined as the use or employment of a piece of equipment or a person that is capable of performing the desired task in the prescribed manner.
• 4.3.1.2 When designing and manufacturing equipment, competence is satisfied when the minimum standards that ensure its capability for both normal use and all anticipated extreme conditions of use, with an appropriate factor of safety, is met.
• 4.3.1.3 When designing and performing tasks and procedures, competence is satisfied when they are assigned only to personnel with the necessary knowledge and ability to perform them. Competence is demonstrated when a person correctly performs the procedure a specified number of times and understands the importance and reasoning behind the procedure.

4.3.2 Redundancy:

• 4.3.2.1 When designing, manufacturing, or operating equipment and systems, the principle of redundancy is applied when the failure of a component in a system could cause an accident if the primary component fails, the secondary component takes over to prevent the accident. For the context of this Standard, an accident is an occurrence that results in injury or property damage and, an incident is an occurrence with potential for injury or property damage.
• 4.3.2.2 Equipment exemptions for components— In some instances, applying the principle of redundancy to a piece of equipment or system would create more risk than benefit, and in such instances, the principle can be overridden through creating a more than adequate factor of safety; for example, as in the case of a single large zipline cable. As a guideline, any part with a factor of safety that exceeds 20:1 of the maximum intended dynamic load of a jumper can be considered adequate without a secondary, redundant component. Said redundancy exemption shall not be used for any part that requires opening and closing during a jump cycle or has moving components.
• 4.3.2.3 When designing and performing procedures that if not performed correctly could result in an accident or incident as specified herein, redundancy takes the form of checks and double checks. There is potential for mistakes for all procedures; therefore, these procedures shall be rechecked by a different person. For example, when a jumper is attached to a bungee cord, the linkage to the jumper is performed by a competent worker and then rechecked by a second competent worker.