Here’s all you need to know about sky diving or base jumping to see if it’s the sport for you! You’ve seen the breathtaking sights, the heart-stopping jumps, the exhilarating photos. In this sport, you’ll learn what skydiving is, the difference between skydiving & BASE jumping and the positives and negatives with both sports.
But, you’ll need to answer this question for yourself—do you have the guts to take the leap?
First: What is Skydiving?
Skydiving is when you jump out of a plane or off a high point in the atmosphere to the surface of Earth with the aid of gravity and a parachute. It’s an exhilarating and fun way to experience the thrill of free fall, and one of the most extreme sports out there. When first starting out, you will usually skydive in tandem. Tandem requires that you skydive with a licensed professional, or skydiving instructor, who will secure you in a harness system before exiting the aircraft together.
Skydiving vs BASE Jumping
Skydiving and BASE jumping are very similar. The major two differences between skydiving and BASE jumping are that BASE jumpers have one parachute, as opposed to two for skydivers — the main canopy and a backup reserve in case the first malfunctions. The second big difference is that BASE jumpers are significantly closer to the ground upon exit—a few hundred feet versus thousands pf feet for skydiving.
Which would you rather do? Skydiving or BASE jumping? Here, you can read the pros and cons of each activity to decide which is the best sport for you!
PROS & CONS OF SKY DIVING or BASE JUMPING
Overcoming Your Fears
The thought of skydiving terrified you. The idea of stepping out of a plane and falling thousands of feet sent chills down your spine and left you with sweaty palms. But instead of being paralyzed by fear, you overcame it. You took the plunge into the unknown, grabbed my parachute, and dove. And now here you are — standing on the ground — having flown through the air as you watched the Earth get ever closer. You’re proud of yourself for facing fear head-on and overcoming it.
Experiences Make Us Who We Are
There are no two people that are alike, and the same goes for our experiences. Whether we use them to help us grow or close ourselves off from the world, they all shape who we are as individuals.
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho
Partake In a New Community
Skydiving is an amazing experience that EVERYONE should try at least once in their lives. Each skydive is just a step towards a new, exciting community of friends, who love skydiving just as much as you do. Skydivers like to meet new people from all walks of life, so what are you waiting for?
Benefits for the Body
The high experience by skydivers is something they attribute to the endorphins released into their bodies. What most people do not realize, and what most skydiving pros enjoy about jumping out of planes, is the physical benefits that come with it. Skydiving increases your stamina in more ways than one and can be an excellent workout for your body.
Cost
Skydiving: If you are looking for a tandem skydive, then you’re looking at around $220 per jump. When you get to go solo, you’ll move up different levels. Each level ranges between $57 and $299, and that’s not factoring in your gear. Once you get your A license and your own gear, you can score lift tickets for $25-$28 per jump.
Risks with BASE Jumping
Between 1981 and 2021, there were 419 fatalities reported by BASE fatality list, but because so many jumps are conducted discreetly, the total number of fatalities may never be known. However, this is the type of adrenaline that many who participate in extreme sports seek.
The vast majority of BASE jumps are prohibited due to their extreme danger and the landowner’s natural unwillingness to accept liability in the event of an accident.
Jumpers are frequently charged with trespassing and other offenses, thus most BASE jumps take place discreetly, at dusk, night, and other times when security is less likely to catch them — and the leap is also more perilous. Similarly, many BASE jumpers avoid security by jumping from still-under-construction skyscrapers, but the exposed structure of the tower produces even more complicated and unpredictable air currents.
Parachute Malfunctions
Parachute malfunctions happen for a variety of reasons and can occur even for seasoned skydivers. However, the most common causes of parachute malfunctions are pilot error or equipment failure. In addition, there are a number of scenarios where a malfunction might occur that results from conditions beyond the skydiver’s control.
Costs & Experience to be a BASE Jumper
To be a BASE jumper, you have to be a skydiver, and skydiving certification rings in around $1,500. It also takes 200 skydives, at roughly $25 a jump ticket, for a thrill-seeker to earn their BASE jumping certification.
What Happens If You Accidentally Open Your Parachute Too Early?
As a Skydiver, you will undergo rigorous training to become certified, and as a part of that training, you’re taught to never – under any circumstances – open your parachute if you’re over 2,000 feet above the ground. But there’s always the possibility that something goes wrong.
The best case scenario that can happen is a long, cold, and unpleasant canopy ride. Because of the temperature change, and winds, you can feel discomfort and may even miss a drop zone point. In the worst case, you can endanger your life—so it’s super important to learn all aspects of skydiving, so you know what to do in extreme cases.
Overview of Things to Consider Before Sky diving or Base Jumping For the First Time
First-time skydivers are at a higher risk, but it’s not by that much. You should still see your doctor pre-skydiving and get a checkup to make sure that you’re mentally prepared if you’re planning to do it. If you do decide to jump, wear proper clothing and also practice some deep breathing exercises. It’s important to try to remain calm and relaxed before jumping and while in the air.
Don’t forget about wearing good ear protection before a jump, as you could damage your ear drums with the change in pressure. Make sure everything is secure, then double-check it again.
A skydiving instructor will teach you all aspects of skydiving and help make your learning time a fun experience. Make into account the laws governing skydiving in your state or country. Some places don’t allow standing jumps or over-water jumps, so it’s imperative that you know where you can jump and where you can’t before planning out your drop zone!
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