| BASE jumping is not a sport for the faint of heart. | | | | use to maintain stability and altitude awareness while |
| Athletes who practice this extreme sport climb to | | | | they are in the air. Before becoming a BASE jumper, |
| the top of tall buildings, canyons, or other structures; | | | | an athlete must complete a full course of skydiver |
| jump off; enjoy a period of free falling; then open a | | | | training. Once they have their full skydiving |
| parachute and coast to the ground. | | | | certification, the next step for anyone interested in |
| The acronym BASE stands for building, antennae, | | | | BASE is to find a mentor in the jumping community |
| span, and earth; which make up a comprehensive list | | | | who can teach them how to take on these ambitious |
| of what kinds of fixed objects BASE jumpers | | | | freefalls. Only experienced divers can even |
| plummet from. Span is a term that includes all sorts | | | | contemplate a BASE jump because this kind of |
| of bridges, or any other structures that span over a | | | | unguided and somewhat unpredictable activity |
| valley or chasm. Earth means anything from cliffs to | | | | requires razor sharp awareness of altitude, along with |
| mountains to canyons. | | | | stellar free fall technique. |
| BASE jumping is very dangerous for a variety of | | | | BASE jumping is one of the most dangerous sports |
| reasons, but the most common causes of injury and | | | | practiced today. Every year, BASE jumping leads to |
| death have to do with failure to maintain a clear area | | | | several fatalities, and most major BASE societies and |
| around the athlete during the jump and/or the landing. | | | | clubs have seen at least one member perish in pursuit |
| If the wind is against them or if they make a | | | | of the sport that he or she loved. Because no two |
| mistake during the launch of their jump, athletes | | | | jumps are alike, it is very difficult to predict what will |
| sometimes collide with the object that they have | | | | happen once you start plummeting towards the |
| jumped from. Because BASE jumping areas are | | | | ground. This means that to survive a BASE jump you |
| usually not designated for this guerilla-style sport, the | | | | need to have a very level head, an ability to react to |
| makeshift landing targets that jumpers aim for are | | | | surprises without panicking, and lightning speed |
| rarely large enough to allow for a safe jump. As a | | | | reflexes that will allow you to make instantaneous |
| result many BASE enthusiasts meet with serious and | | | | adjustments in your position or your trajectory. |
| sometimes fatal injuries because they haven't been | | | | However, no amount of experience can guarantee |
| able to steer themselves to the landing area in time. | | | | that you will complete your jump without mishap, so |
| Many people compare BASE jumping to bungee | | | | even very accomplished jumpers are taking serious |
| jumping without a bungee cord, but it is actually | | | | risks every time they prepare to hurl themselves off |
| much closer to skydiving without an airplane. Jumpers | | | | of a building, antennae, span, or natural cliff. |
| practice many of the same techniques that divers | | | | |