Thousands of adventure seekers go bungee jumping in South Africa every season, with fond stories to tell afterward. Hopefully, that will be you as well. Here are a few helpful tips to follow when you go bungee jumping:

Don’t go if you have any injuries or health concerns

You should not go bungee jumping if you are pregnant, you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart problems, bone fractures or dislocation, ankle or leg injuries, neck, back, or spinal injuries.

Wear comfortable clothes

Depending on the weather, wear comfortable pants or shorts. Do not wear flip-flops or loose shoes—you’re likely to lose them on your way down or be asked to remove them.

Eat something light, but do not overeat before your jump

If you eat a full breakfast up to an hour before your jump, chances are good it will come out during your jump. What’s worse is, you may throw up going down, then go back through your vomit on your first bounce.

On the other end of the extreme, you don’t eat anything, and you may feel dizzy during your jump. Therefore it’s best to eat something light two hours before your jump.

Pay attention to the instructions

The bungee jump operators are likely to explain things to you. They may even show you a video. This is for your benefit and it helps you to get the most from your bungee experience, so it’s best you pay attention.

Remove loose items

If you have anything in your pockets, make sure to remove it. If you are wearing a watch, glasses, or jewelry, you will need to take it off. Depending on where you go, you may possibly be asked to remove contact lenses as well.

Tie your hair back

At best, your hair could get in your face, thereby ruining your view. At worse, long hair can get caught in the cord. Avoid the hassle and make sure your hair is securely tied.

Book in advance

If you’ve already paid, you are unlikely to chicken out and drive right by the place.

Don’t overthink it

If this is your first-time bungee jumping, you will naturally feel anxious. You may back out altogether. You may decide to jump despite the anxiety, and not enjoy the jump at all.

The best thing to do is to not overthink it. Thousands of people bungee jump every day without incident, so it’s best to trust the operators, the equipment, the cord, the moment.

Don’t look down

You’re going to be nervous, so the last thing you should be doing is looking down, thereby intensifying your anxiety. Instead, focus on the horizon.

Calm yourself with breathing exercises

Breathing exercises will not completely take away the anxiety and panic, but they may reduce it.

Clear your mind

For some people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t waste it with negative thoughts or anxiety-filled thoughts in your head. Clear it and enjoy the experience.

Look into the camera and smile

Lots of bungee jump operators have photos or videos of your jump, which will be available for sale after your jump. If you want a petrified look on your face, go for it. Otherwise, smile.