Swinging from vines may not be the most practical way to get around a tropical rainforest, but if it was good enough for Tarzan, it’s good enough for you.

HOW TO DO IT

1.First, you’ll need to climb a tree and find a vine. They should be plentiful if you’re in a tropical rainforest; an estimated 90% of the world’s vines are located in these lush environments. Lianas are the most common varieties, and they can grow to be up to a foot wide…and 3,000 feet long. They typically begin their life spans as tiny plants on the forest floor, but to reach the sunlight they crave, they wrap themselves around nearby trees. Once they reach daylight, they’ll grow along treetops or back down toward the ground. Long story short, there should be plenty.

2.Once you’ve reached an appropriate height on your tree and have found a vine, you’ll want to test it out. Give it a good tug and, with your feet on a firm branch, lift yourself up a bit. If it’s not giving way, you should be good to go. Not to be a spoilsport, but finding a vine that’s grown around enough limbs above your perch to be strong enough to support your weight could take a very long time.

3.If you’re an inexperienced vine swinger, your first trip should be done a safe distance from the forest floor in case you fall. You’ll want to try this a few times and get the hang of it before you attempt any jaunts from a height of 15 feet or more. If your vine is thin enough, you may want to tie some of the slack around your waist, for safety.

4.Ready for a real trip? Take a deep breath, grip the vine tightly, and jump off the limb. Once you’re in the air, you’ll want to immediately wrap your legs around the vine for further support.

5.Depending on the length of the vine and your surroundings, you should be able to travel anywhere from 10 to 40 yards at first. Needless to say, an area with a dense amount of trees isn’t very practical for vine swinging. You’ll also want to heed the oft-repeated suggestion from the George of the Jungle theme song: “Watch out for that tree!” Aim for a sturdy tree branch or return to your point of origin once you get bored.

6.Swinging from vine to vine might now seem like a totally awesome idea. In reality, this would be incredibly dangerous because you’re not actually Tarzan. While your initial vine might be strong enough to support your weight, that doesn’t mean that the next one you grab in mid-swing will be the same. This advanced level of vine swinging requires a substantial amount of skill, botanical knowledge, and luck.