Are you an adrenaline junkie searching for your next big thrill? Look no further than the high-flying world of skydiving and BASE jumping. While both sports involve leaping from dizzying heights and relying on a parachute to reach the ground safely, there are some key differences between skydiving vs base jumping. Let’s take a deep dive into what sets these two extreme sports apart.
What is Skydiving?
Skydiving is the act of exiting an aircraft, typically a plane but sometimes a helicopter or hot air balloon, and freefalling through the sky before deploying a parachute to slow your descent and land safely on the ground. According to the United States Parachute Association, a skydive must be made from an aircraft and involve the use of a parachute.
Most skydiving takes place from an altitude of 12,000 to 15,000 feet above ground level, allowing for about 60 seconds of freefall time before the parachute must be deployed at around 3,000-5,000 feet. Skydivers wear a harness attached to a dual parachute system – a main parachute and a reserve chute in case the main one fails. Modern parachutes are highly maneuverable, allowing the skydiver to steer themselves to a safe landing area.
Skydiving can be done solo or in tandem with an experienced instructor. First-time skydivers must do a tandem jump, where they are harnessed to a professional skydiving instructor who controls the jump from exit to landing. After some training, skydivers can be cleared to jump solo. Many people enjoy skydiving as a weekend hobby, while others progress into competitive team formation skydiving.
What is BASE Jumping?
BASE jumping takes things to the next level in the skydiving vs base jumping comparison. The term “BASE” is actually an acronym that stands for the four categories of objects one can leap from: Building, Antenna, Span (bridge), and Earth (cliff). Rather than exiting an aircraft, BASE jumpers leap from a fixed structure or natural feature, making it far more technically difficult and dangerous than skydiving.
Because BASE jumps take place from much lower altitudes, typically between 500-2,000 feet, jumpers only have a few precious seconds to deploy their parachute. This leaves almost no room for error or time to deal with malfunctions. BASE jumping parachutes are specially designed to open quickly and be more stable than skydiving chutes. Unlike skydivers, BASE jumpers do not carry a reserve parachute.
The technical challenges, legal issues with accessing objects to jump from, and sheer danger involved make BASE jumping an incredibly exclusive sport. It’s estimated there are only around 1,500 active BASE jumpers globally. Most BASE jumpers started out as experienced skydivers, as you need to have a deep understanding of parachute flight and emergency procedures before attempting a BASE jump.
Key Differences: Skydiving vs BASE Jumping
Equipment:
- Skydivers use a dual parachute system with a main and reserve chute, BASE jumpers only have a main chute
- BASE jumping parachutes are smaller and designed to open faster than skydiving parachutes
- Many BASE jumpers use wingsuits to increase glide ratio and have more control over their flight
Altitude:
- Skydives are done from planes at 12,000-15,000 feet above ground
- BASE jumps are from fixed objects, usually 500-2,000 feet high
Jump Logistics:
- Skydiving planes can take off from any permitted drop zone, giving easy access to altitude
- BASE jumpers must hike or climb to an exit point, often trespassing on private property or protected lands
- Skydiving is highly regulated with training requirements and FAA oversight, BASE jumping has no official governing body
Risks Involved:
- Skydiving has an incredibly low fatality rate, with 1 death per 167,000 jumps according to the USPA
- BASE jumping is far more dangerous, with a fatality rate of around 1 death per 500 jumps
- BASE jumpers have little to no time to deal with parachute malfunctions or off-heading openings
While skydiving and BASE jumping are both aerial sports using parachutes, in most respects the skydiving vs base jumping contrast couldn’t be sharper. BASE jumping is exponentially more dangerous and difficult than skydiving. It requires a very advanced understanding of parachute flight and canopy control, as well as acceptance of significantly higher risks.
Is BASE Jumping More Thrilling than Skydiving?
For those who crave the ultimate adrenaline high, BASE jumping definitely provides a more intense experience than skydiving. The sheer proximity to objects rushing by as you accelerate towards the ground is unmatched. Many BASE jumpers talk about a heightened sense of speed, so it actually feels like you’re going faster than skydiving freefall, even though it’s roughly the same 120mph.
The technical nature of BASE jumping also amplifies the thrill factor. Jumping from a cliff or building requires laser focus, expert body flight skills to navigate away from the object, and split-second timing for your parachute deployment. One small mistake or miscalculation can be disastrous. That high consequence decision making, with your life on the line, delivers powerful adrenaline hits.
With all that said, skydiving is still a massive thrill ride in its own right. Leaping from an airplane two miles above the earth is an undeniably awesome sensory experience. For some, the longer freefall time and ability to relax a bit more without objects nearby to worry about actually enhances the euphoria and enjoyment of the ride compared to the “business-like” feel of BASE.
So in the skydiving vs base jumping thrill debate, BASE jumping probably takes top prize, but both offer world-class adrenaline-fueled experiences that push the boundaries of human flight.
How Do I Get Started Skydiving or BASE Jumping?
The path to becoming a skydiver, and eventually a BASE jumper if you so choose, always starts with tandem skydiving. Sign up for a tandem skydive at your nearest dropzone to experience the thrill of freefall for yourself. It’s not uncommon to be hooked right away and want to learn more.
The next step is to sign up for an Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) first jump course and start solo skydiving. You’ll learn all the key skills necessary to skydive on your own, including freefall body position, parachute deployment, canopy flight, and landing. Most people complete around 25 solo skydives before earning a USPA skydiving A-license.
From there, you can progress in the sport however you choose, whether that’s learning to freefly, wingsuit, or participate in large formation skydiving. It’s smart to get at least a couple hundred skydives under your belt before even considering BASE jumping. If you do want to cross over to the BASE side, seek out mentorship from an experienced BASE jumper rather than trying to figure it out yourself.
Two Incredible Ways to Get Your Adrenaline Fix
In the skydiving vs base jumping match up, there’s really no loser – both offer unparalleled thrills and the chance to experience flight in its rawest form. Skydiving is the more accessible, social, and reasonably safe way to freefall, while BASE jumping takes things to the extreme for those who want the ultimate challenge. Whichever one you choose, prepare for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime as you take that leap of faith into the wild blue yonder.
