- Image by basejumping via Flickr
Base jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping from tall structures with a parachute or hang glider for a falling thrill. BASE is actually an acronym for buildings, antennae, spans, and earth, which are the four types of things you can jump off of. Cliffs and bridges are the most common things to base jump from, but famous buildings are becoming more popular as of late.
Base jumping is actually illegal in most public areas because it poses a threat to pedestrians, but this is one of the things that makes it so thrilling the risk of getting caught. You really should abide by laws and only base jump in safe, designated areas, though, because you can face jail time and some hefty fines for putting other people in danger, as well as trespassing.
Base jumping is pretty dangerous, which is why a lot of people get such a thrill from it. There are so many things that can go wrong. Your parachute could malfunction, you could hit an obstacle, or get stuck somewhere. If you want to participate in base jumping, you should take every precaution possible to endure your safety. This means wearing a helmet, only jumping in legal places, and getting instruction before you try it.
In order to participate in base jumping, you will need to purchase a parachute or hang glider. Depending on where you plan to jump, one or the other might be a better choice. Use your best judgment and choose accordingly. If you buy a parachute, make sure you know how to fold it properly and how to care for it, especially if you intend to use the same parachute multiple times. It is easy for all of the strings in a parachute to become tangled, which is why it is essential to know how to fold it and to take your time so that you donâ’t make a mistake.
