Basejumper.com - archive

And I don't mean "old hand" in any sort of derogatory way.

For some reason or another, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the early days of BASE as compared to now. Specifically, I've been wondering the following:

Do you think that the advent of BASE specific gear manufacturers, abundant FJC's, and the general "mainstream-ification" of the sport has lead to an overall increase or decrease in safety.

Obviously better gear, better dissemination of knowledge, etc... will inevitably lead to a safer sport for those involved At the same time however, this has made it a lot easier for those that never would have been willing to put in the effort required back in the day to take up BASE jumping.

Please don't misconstrue this post as me trying to "call out" any one (or group of people), I'm just genuinely curious as to the opinions of some of the people that were jumping well before I was born. This sport I've recently discovered is amazing, and I'd really like to learn more about its' origins. Thanks.

Sean LR

I just want to start this thread with one teeny weeny thing.

If the altitude is there, I like the spare (totally VERY OLD SCHOOL).

Saved RW's life off a "B" in downtown Houston with
Smitty, Halloween night 1983.

Much respect to the producers of todays BASE rigs, they are sweet and very reliable and RW jumps with one now (when he's not).

Love,

Joy

Risk Homeostasis. Read it and think.

The sport gets safer--we keep it dangerous by pushing it further. The overall risk level seems to remain about the same.