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Skydiving vs Bungee Jumping
Taking that leap of faith from either a plane or a ledge might feel similar to one another at first. After all, looking over the precipice, especially for first-timers, is certain to get the heart-pounding! However, there are some pretty big differences between the two events after you sort through their surface similarities. Here are some of the key elements of each to give your inner thrill-seeker something to get excited about!
The Differences Between Skydiving and Bungee Jumping
There are three main differences between skydiving and bungee jumping: time, altitude, and failsafes. You will need to make a conscious decision to take the leap in both cases, which is what makes such experiences so rewarding in the first place. The fears you overcome by not backing down and taking that single step can be a transcendent experience. However, the similarities come to an end here.
- Time - The span of time that each experience lasts is quite dissimilar. A bungee jump will only last for a few seconds before the cord kicks in, while skydiving is much more involved. You fly for about 15 minutes to the proper altitude before jumping out and free-falling for about 60 seconds. Then, you’ll spend around five minutes under the parachute after you deploy it.
- Altitude - An average skydive will occur between a sandwich of 10,000’ and 14,000’, but a bungee jump is usually only a few hundred feet max.
- Failsafes - If the bungee cord breaks, there is usually no secondary safety measure. When skydiving, there are multiple safety systems and failsafes such as a secondary parachute, an automatic deployer should the parachute need it, a backup static line, and a MARD system. With the increased altitude and the time before needing to deploy the chute, there is wiggle room to sort out any problems.
Skydiving vs. Bungee Jumping - What Does Each Feel Like?
The biggest differences between the two activities are the sensations you’ll experience. Skydivers will reach speeds of approximately 120 miles per hour, which will put you in a state known as “terminal velocity.” This is where you are moving so fast that you’ll be riding on the air molecules and eventually won’t feel speed or descent. It feels like you’re floating!
When you’re bungee jumping, you will not be able to reach terminal velocity. Therefore, you will feel unstable during the whole experience. This is one of the reasons some people feel more disoriented and out of control during bungee jumping vs. skydiving.
Skydiving vs. Bungee Jumping - Which is Scarier?
As mentioned above, the lack of control when bungee jumping can make the experience a little scarier for some people. After all, there are also no failsafes when bungee jumping. It’s ironic, especially for those who are intimidated by heights, that skydiving feels more approachable despite taking place at a hundred times higher altitude!
Is Skydiving Better than Bungee Jumping?
Both are great activities for thrill-seekers, but in the end, bungee jumping cannot compare to the overall experience of soaring into the sky to cut through the winds with your body before gracefully floating back to earth. Bungee jumping is a fun and exhilarating experience, but a contest of skydiving vs. bungee jumping, skydiving wins hands down in our book!