Basejumper.com - archive

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=663

So, a few months back, I made a post that sounded pretty dumb because I couldn't really come up with a good way of explaining it; however, I read a great article in the December issue of Parachutist that perfectly described my problem. I found myself driven to take irrational risks with regards to anything (including cops) and was pondering whether that would be reduced if I started BASE jumping. Now I think it would. Anyone else have thoughts on risk homeostasis?

Why do you think it would?

this sport is not for the reckless. start stupid, and you'll end stupid.

Well, I dont thint BASE is the place to look if you are trying to fix recklessness. This is a very unforgiving way of life.

Coming from a guy who has been kicked off a dropzone...

Most DZ's observe stander safety recommendations
from UPSA however most BASE objects have no one
around to police your behavior... SO if your are an
idiot, or drunk, or high, or smacked out... there is
no one there to tell you NO... hence you need to
know your own limits and live within them...

OR DIE TRYING.. good luck, seriously

"If you cant base jump drunk and stoned you probably shouldnt be base jumping at all"

Not my quote, your post reminded me of this and made me chuckle

Plenty of us have said "WHOA" after too many
<insert junk here> but any fuck-whally who is
not able to do so... or not being watched over
by a good friend can/might/will die.

Do we agree on this?

Well, my risks are very much calculated. I'm just thinking of changing the types of risks I take so that it's more constructive/interesting.

Well, according to the theory of risk homeostasis, if you increase the risks you take in one area, you end up taking fewer risks in other areas.

All types of risk are not equal. If you're going to go with this theory, I'd recommend bumping up certain other risks instead.... don't file your taxes, don't pay your speeding tickets, drive across the country without a driver's license, try the turkey & gravy flavor of jones soda, etc... just don't bump up the risk in the 'severe risk of bodily harm/loss of life' category in exchange for a reduction in the rest.

This...

And This...

Don't Jive...

Which one is it?

Unlikely. You're probably going to break something and spend time in a hospital as a BASE jumper. Being irrational and/or stupid makes that happening sooner and being worse probable.

i have a friend who goes back and forth between drinking too much, and heroin / opiate addiction. seems that when he's on the junk, he doesnt drink as much. perhaps you should address the reasons behind your high-risk behavior, instead of looking for one activity to offset the others.

They can jive. There are some risks that can be very calculated and, yet, be completely pointless to take. Such as accelerating hard in front of a cop; but, not spinning the tires or breaking the speed limit.

I know of one jumper who qualified for Acid BASE (LSD BASE). His qualifying E was a deep canyon on NPS land in Colorado while on LSD.

Anyone got more details on this one? I would love to read more about it