Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-63.6 - Operations requirements

(1) Site operating manual. The operator will ensure that the site has an operating manual that includes the following elements:

a. A site plan showing the fencing, the site furniture, the preparation area, the jump space, the jump area, the jump direction, the landing area and the recovery area.

b. A site plan showing a profile of the site and defining the jump platform and its supporting structure, the maximum system length of the bungee cord, the jump space and the jump area.

c. A complete description of each of the following:

(1) The system of operation;

(2) The components in the rigging system, including the manufacturer's specification or a laboratory test certificate of each component;

(3) All safety and rescue equipment;

(4) A job description for the personnel employed on the site and the minimum qualifications for each person;

(5) Emergency procedures for all foreseeable scenarios;

(6) Standard operating procedures for every person employed in processing the jumper;

(7) The procedure for reporting accidents and reportable incidents to the director;

(8) Equipment inspection procedures, including inspection recordkeeping;

(9) Maintenance procedures; and

(10) The method of verifying and recording each jump master's qualifications.

(2) Emergency provisions and procedures.

a. Each approved operating site will have a written emergency plan. The plan will be made available to any local emergency service responsible for providing emergency rescue service.

b. At least one member of a bungee jump operation staff will have current first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and will complete an annual refresher course that includes evaluation of hands-on skills from the American Red Cross or equivalent.

c. For a jump over water, the jump master and at least one landing assistant will have current lifeguarding certification from the American Red Cross or equivalent.

d. Emergency lighting will be available in case of power failure at a site that operates at any time during the period of one-half hour prior to sunset until one-half hour after sunrise. The emergency lighting system will be capable of lighting the jump platform, the jump space and the landing area. The emergency lighting system will have its own power source.

e. A backup means of communication will be available in case of a power failure.

f. The jump master or operator will cease jumping operations if wind speed exceeds 25 miles per hour or thunder is audible.

(3) Minimum staff.

a. Prior to the opening of a bungee jump operation, the operator will train site personnel to be familiar with the boundaries of the jump space, the jump area, the site operating manual and the emergency plan.

b. A bungee jump operation will have at least one jump master, one jump assistant, one landing assistant, and one registration assistant present at all times during which jumping is being conducted.

c. The staff will be easily identifiable by their clothing.

d. Staff will be briefed for each day's operations. This briefing will include assignment of the designated jump master.

e. Each jump will be directly controlled by a jump master.

(4) Jump master.

a. A jump master will be at least 18 years of age, will have assisted at least 25 jumpers, and will have received a minimum of 30 hours of jump training.

b. A jump master will have a thorough knowledge of the bungee jump site, its equipment, operating manual, procedures, emergency plan and staff duties.

c. A jump master will:

(1) With the jump assistant, escort the jumper from the preparation area to the jump point;

(2) Select the appropriate bungee cord and adjust the rigging for each jump;

(3) Brief each jumper on the procedures for jumping, landing, lowering and recovery;

(4) Take the jumper through the final stages before the jump;

(5) Securely attach to the platform rigging bar or to the rigging the top end of the bungee cords before preparing the jumper;

(6) Be present at the jump point during each jump;

(7) Close the platform gate while no jumper is present;

(8) Direct the operation of the lowering system;

(9) Train other bungee jump operation staff; and

(10) Ensure that the procedures set out in the site operating manual are followed.

(5) Jump assistant. The operator or jump master will designate at least one individual to act as a jump assistant. The jump assistant will:

a. With the jump master, escort the jumper from the preparation area to the jump point;

b. Assist the jump master in preparing the jumper;

c. Assist in attaching the jumper to the harness and rigging;

d. Perform check procedures;

e. Operate the lowering system; and

f. Assist in controlling the public.

(6) Landing assistant. The operator or jump master will designate at least one individual to act as a landing assistant. The landing assistant's duties include the following:

a. Assisting the jumper to the landing pad;

b. Assisting the jumper to the recovery area;

c. Overseeing the recovery of the jumper; and

d. Assisting in controlling the public.

(7) Registration assistant. The operator or jump master will designate at least one individual to act as a registration assistant at each bungee jump operation site. The registration assistant will:

a. Register the jumper;

b. Inform each jumper that there are medical conditions that could be adversely affected by bungee jumping and that prior to jumping, the jumper should consult with a physician for more specific information regarding the medical risks;

c. Weigh the jumper and mark the jumper's weight on the jumper;

d. Control the movement of the jumper to the jump platform; and

e. Assist in controlling the public.

(8) Jumper restrictions.

a. The minimum age for jumping is 18 years of age.

b. A person who is visibly intoxicated or who is otherwise impaired will not be allowed to jump.

(9) Jumper registration. The operator will ensure that a jumper provides the following information on the operator's registration form:

a. The jumper's contact information, including name, address, and telephone number.

b. The jumper's age and weight.

(10) Equipment replacement.

a. Jumping will cease immediately when substandard equipment is identified.

b. The operator will obtain from the bungee cord manufacturer a written verification of the maximum number of jumps for which a particular cord may be used. The written verification will be kept on site and will be available to the director.

c. The operator will keep a current, written record of each bungee cord used at the site. The bungee cord records will be organized by permanent, unique identification number and will include the number of jumps for each cord by date. The bungee cord records will be available to the director.

(11) Jump space and jump area.

a. Persons other than a jumper and objects other than the jumper's equipment will not be in the jump space at any time during jump operations.

b. Persons other than site personnel and objects other than air bags and similar safety devices will not be in the jump area at any time during jump operations.

c. The jump space and jump area will be identical to the jump space and jump area that the director approved.

d. The preparation area will be separate from the jump area.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-63.6

Adopted by IAB March 2, 2016/Volume XXXVIII, Number 18, effective 4/6/2016 Adopted by IAB January 22, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 15, effective 2/26/2025