BASE jumping (/beɪs/) is the recreational sport of jumping from fixed objects, using a parachute to descend to the ground. BASE is an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas (referring to radio masts), spans (bridges) and earth (cliffs).[1][2] Participants jump from a fixed object such as a cliff and after an optional freefall delay deploy a parachute to slow their descent and land. A popular form of BASE jumping is wingsuit BASE jumping.
In contrast to other forms of parachuting, such as skydiving from airplanes, BASE jumps are performed from fixed objects that are generally at much lower altitudes, and BASE jumpers only carry one parachute. BASE jumping is significantly more hazardous than other forms of parachuting and is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous extreme sports.[3]
- ^ "BASENumbers.org". BASENumbers.org. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ Sangiro. "BASE Jumping Resource and Community". Basejumper.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ Dizikes, Cynthia (22 April 2011). "BASE jumpers fall for thrill-seeking lifestyle". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018.