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What Is Base Jumping?

For the consistent adventure-seeker, jumping from high places is a common way to get the heart racing. Individuals seeking an adrenaline rush will always be including bigger, higher jumps to their bucket list.

One of the most common bucket list items: BASE jumping.

But what is technically considered BASE jumping?

BASE Jumping is the act of jumping from fixed objects with a parachute. In fact, the acronym BASE refers to the various objects from which you can jump, to classify it as a BASE jump:

-Buildings

-Antenna (Radio Masts)

-Spans (Bridges)

-Earth (Cliffs)

(They had to go with BASE, because BRBC didn’t have the same ring to it, probably.)

Skydiving is often categorized similarly to BASE jumping but varies in many ways. For instance, full-altitude skydiving generally takes place between 9,000 and 12,000 feet, whereas BASE jumping begins below 486 feet. Because of the jumping distance, while a skydiver has multiple parachutes, a BASE jumper carries only one.

This, combined with the lower jumping altitudes of BASE jumping, categorizes BASE jumping as one of the most dangerous extreme sports in the world.

But don’t let that deter you from taking the leap. BASE jumpers don’t take any shortcuts when it comes to safety. With the right tandem BASE instructor, you’re as safe as you possibly can be while jumping from great heights.

Although BASE jumpers carry only one parachute, the parachute is larger than those of skydivers. These massive chutes ensure a slow, controlled descent by the jumper. Additionally, the parachute is packaged in a simple container, making it easier to access and more readily available during the lower-altitude jumps.

Additionally, professional BASE jumpers, like David Helton, have learned to master the craft by first completing hundreds of skydiving jumps to gain a better understanding of parachute aerodynamics and control. Professional BASE jumpers are required to land in small, marked spaces, and they aren’t considered a professional until they can do so with extreme accuracy.

Should you decide to tandem BASE jump, you are in the best hands (and harness) you possibly can be. Your instructor knows the dangers of the sport and will do his best to ensure your safety.

If you need a little extra convincing, rest assured that the only major injuries that have occurred due to BASE jumping in Twin Falls, ID have been on account of jumper error i.e., late chute deployment, lighting their parachute on fire.

If you trust the expertise of David Helton as your tandem BASE instructor, all you need to worry about is hanging on and having fun during one of the most thrilling experiences of your life.

Tandem BASE Jumping in Twin Falls, Idaho

Twin Falls is home to the I.B. Perrine Bridge, which is the only man-made structure in the United States open for BASE jumping year-round without a permit. David Helton is an experienced tandem BASE instructor in Twin Falls. You can read more about David and his qualifications here.