Be Safe BASE Jumping

What is BASE jumping?

BASE jumping involves leaping from fixed objects and using a parachute to land safely. The name comes from the four types of objects jumpers use: buildings, antennae (such as radio masts), spans (bridges and arches) and earth (cliffs and rock formations).

Unlike skydiving from an aircraft, BASE jumpers have far less time in the air. Jump heights are much lower, which means less time to react if something goes wrong. Studies have estimated the fatality rate at roughly one death per 500 to 1,000 jumps, making it considerably more dangerous than skydiving or most other adventure sports.

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Training and preparation

BASE jumping requires serious preparation and isn't something you can impulsively attempt. The standard path into the sport requires extensive skydiving experience first. Most instructors and experienced jumpers recommend completing at least 200 skydives before attempting your first BASE jump.

This skydiving background serves several purposes:

• You learn to control your body position during freefall
• You develop awareness of altitude and timing
• You become comfortable deploying and handling a parachute
• You practise making quick decisions under pressure

Once you have sufficient skydiving experience, specialist BASE jumping courses are available. These cover equipment differences, exit techniques from various object types, and how to handle much shorter freefall times. Finding a mentor within the BASE jumping community is equally important, as experienced jumpers can offer guidance that formal courses cannot cover.

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Equipment and safety considerations

BASE jumping equipment differs substantially from standard skydiving gear. The parachutes are purpose built for the sport, featuring larger pilot chutes and faster opening designs suited to low altitude deployment. Jumpers typically carry only one parachute rather than a main and reserve, because there is often not enough height to deploy a backup if the first fails.

Equipment should be inspected regularly by someone qualified. Using second hand or poorly maintained gear increases an already considerable level of risk.

Weather conditions matter greatly. Wind speed, direction and turbulence around structures can all affect a jump. Experienced jumpers assess conditions carefully and will walk away if circumstances aren't right.

Is BASE jumping legal in the UK?

There is no specific law banning BASE jumping itself. However, access to jump sites is often restricted. Jumping from private property without consent is trespassing. Jumping from certain structures may breach other laws depending on location and circumstances.

Some organised events and locations do permit BASE jumping with proper arrangements. If you are serious about pursuing the sport, connecting with established groups and experienced jumpers will help you understand where and how you can jump legally. For questions about specific permissions, contacting local planning authorities or the landowners responsible for particular sites is usually necessary.

Many popular BASE jumping locations are abroad, though jumpers do use sites within the UK. Legal access varies considerably between locations.

BASE jumping inherently involves significant risks, though advanced training and modern equipment can help manage these. The dangers are built into the sport's nature. With thorough preparation, proper instruction and sound judgement from experienced mentors, those risks can at least be understood and mitigated rather than ignored.

The Next Step

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