Sliding down a cable, high above the ground, at a high rate of speed is thrilling. It’s one of the many reasons that the popularity of ziplining has grown tremendously over the last two decades.
In the 2000s, there were a handful of reliable commercial zipline companies in the United States. Now, that number rapidly increases as new outdoor adventure businesses open daily.
Whether you’re an experienced zipliner or a first-time participant, it’s important to practice good safety habits in order to protect yourself from injury. It’s thrilling to sit in a harness overlooking nature around you while traveling at a high rate of speed. Still, safety is paramount for any outdoor activity you choose to partake in.
As one of the top Zipline parks in NY, MA & WI we take pride in offering a safe and memorable experience for everyone who visits our parks.
Since we know that every one of you may not be able to visit our parks specifically, we wanted to create the Experts Guide to zipline safety.
Zipline Safety Tip #1 – Inspect The Equipment
Once you arrive at the zipline platform, inspect the equipment provided by the operator. That includes cables, carabiners, and harnesses. You must verify that the equipment has been well-maintained from the wear-and-tear of everyday use. Then, look at the course itself and the condition of the cables that you will be traveling on. Try to assess if they’re sturdy enough to hold your body weight en route to your final destination.
We’ll always pre-inspect our equipment before handing it out, but we’re not positive of the practices of other zipline parks out there!
Zipline Safety Tip #2 – Listen to Your Instructor
Never get strapped into a zipline harness without receiving some form of instruction from the on-site staff. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules of safety before heading down the path. The instructors will brief you on the correct approach to zipline before strapping you into the harness. If anything isn’t clear, then ask questions to get a further detailed explanation. All of the information provided should assist you in watching out for others traveling alongside on the zipline path and avoid a collision while in transit.
Zipline Safety Tip #3 – Wear Sunscreen
For most of your travels on a zipline. you will be shaded by the trees, but the sun’s rays will hit your body from time-to-time. Apply sunscreen to your limbs and face before heading out onto the platform. This will help to protect your body from the dangerous UV rays emitted by the sun.
Zipline Safety Tip #4 – Use a GoPro Chest Mount
Most zipline enthusiasts first become attracted to this adventure sport by watching others in Facebook or YouTube videos. All are excited to gain their own thrilling experience, but to capture the moment correctly, you better use the right equipment. If you’re using a GoPro camera, then having a chest mount is the best approach to filming your zipline ride. The main reason for using a chest mount is it rarely interferes with the harness because it leaves your hands free to navigate the ropes if needed.
This obviously isn’t required, but we see a ton of people who enjoy filming the day this way!
Zipline Safety Tip #5 – What To Wear When Ziplining
Ziplining is an outdoor sport for people of all ages, but it’s important to wear the right clothing inside the harness. Pants should be worn as most harnesses go under your legs and around your waist. Shorts have the tendency to ride up on the body when the harness is tightened thus causing chafing to your exposed skin.
Try wearing a comfortable shirt for the same reason as most designs ride up or get bunched underneath the harness. This will leave you uncomfortable in your travel down the zipline. Try wearing a t-shirt that’s long enough to be tucked into your pants before being fitted with your harness. It’s important to wear comfortable clothing that normally would be worn to workout or hike in. The clothing’s material provides a better range of motion if you need to navigate yourself down the zipline.
Most zipline companies require customers to wear closed-toed shoes when traveling their course and they could deny your access if you aren’t wearing the proper footwear.
Zipline Safety Recap
At the end of the day, we just want you to have fun at whichever zipline park you choose to go to.
While Boundless Adventures offers a full outdoor adventure experience, we know you’ll have fun on nearly any zipline experience.
Always keep your zipline safety tips in mind and don’t forget that they apply to any outdoor adventure you may take part in.
Now go pick the perfect zipline park for your next adventure! We hope to see you in the trees!
