According to some scientists, high-risk sports can be valuable for people. Such activities help them learn that being frightened doesn't mean that they have to lose control. The recent fashion of jumping from bridges attached to a length of elastic rope, known as "bungee jumping", has now been tried by millions of people over the world, and interest in it is continuing to grow. Before the special elastic rope is tightened around them, jumpers reach speeds of nearly 160 kph. First-timers are usually too terrified to open their mouths, and when they are finally lowered safely to the ground, they walk around with broad smiles on their faces, saying repeatedly how amazing it was. However, for some people, it is only the embarrassment of refusing to jump at the last minute that finally persuades them to conquer the fear of heights and push them off into space.