Basejumping and How Dangerous Is It for Life
проект по английскому языку (10 класс)

Municipal General Education Institution "Secondary Educational School No. 8 of the Volzhsky District of Saratov"

Research project 

Basejumping

and How Dangerous Is It for Life 

 Author: Ulyana Andreevna Tretyakova,

10th grade student                                    

                                  Head: Arzhanukhina K.A.,           

                English teacher

Saratov

2024

Content

Introduction................................................................................................3

1. Preparing for the study……...................................................................5

1. Historical information…............................................................5
2. Safety precautions……..............................................................8

2. The Dangers of Base Jumping.................….........................................10

1. First stage of the research….....................................................10
2. The final stage of the study…………......................................12

Conclusion................................................................................................13

References………....................................................................................14

Applications..............................................................................................16

Introduction

Relevance of the research topic

The relevance of my research is due to the growing popularity of base jumping and the need to raise awareness of the risks associated with this extreme sport.

Research Object

The problem of my research subject is the lack of information about the safety of base jumping and the increase in mortality among base jumpers, which requires warnings and development of safety measures.

The goal of my research work: to identify and analyze the main risks of base jumping.

Objectives

1. To study the main factors affecting the safety of base jumping.

2. To analyze the statistics of accidents and mortality among base jumpers.

3. To identify precautions that will help reduce the risks when doing base jumping.

Hypothesis

If we assume that the practice of base jumping, despite the high risks and level of danger, can be safe provided that strict safety regulations are observed and the participants are professionally trained.

Methods of experimental-theoretical level:

•      experiment;
•      analysis;

•      modeling;

•      historical;
•      logical;
•      synthesis;
•      induction;
•      deduction;
•      hypothetical.

Basejumping is an extreme sport that uses a special parachute to jump from fixed objects. 

Main part

B.A.S.E. is an acronym for the English words:

• B — Building
• A — Antenna
• S — Span
• E — Earth

This is a list of the main types of objects from which jumps are performed.

Athletes are called base jumpers or simply base jumpers.

BASE jumping is considered the most dangerous type of parachute jumping and is currently considered an extremely extreme sport.

The first mentions of parachutes date back to the 12th century AD, when Chinese acrobats used small parachutes to ensure safety during falls during their performances.

Examples of BASE jumping began to appear as early as 1700.

In 1783, Louis Sebastien Lenormand jumped from the observatory tower in Montpellier, France, and in 1797, balloonist André Jacques Garnerin made the first recorded parachute jump from a hot air balloon.

In 1912, Frederick Rodman Law jumped from the American Statue of Liberty.

In 1913 Stefan Banic demonstrated his new parachute by jumping from a building, while Russian student Vladimir Ossovsky jumped from a 60-meter bridge in Rouen using the RK-1 parachute. He also dreamed of jumping from the Eiffel Tower, but was not allowed to do so.

In 1966, Michael Pelkey ​​and Brian Schubert jumped from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

On November 9, 1975, Bill Eustace became the first person to jump from the CN Tower in Canada, after which he was fired. That same year, Owen Quinn drew attention to the problems of the unemployed by jumping from the south tower of the World Trade Center.

The following year, Rick Sylvester jumped from the top of Asgard on Baffin Island, and the video was included in a James Bond film, giving rise to the widespread popularity of BASE jumping.

In 2006, Colonel Behzad Payandeh made the first jump in the Middle East from the Borj Milad tower in Tehran.

The events and jumps were isolated and did not form a systematic practice.

The term BASE was coined by BASE jumper Carl Boenisch, who filmed the El Capitan jumps on August 8, 1978, where wing-type parachutes were used for the first time. This date is considered the beginning of modern BASE jumping.

On May 5, 2013, Russian athlete Valery Rozov, aged 48, jumped from the northern slope of Mount Changze, which is 7,220 metres (23,500 ft). Using a specially designed wingsuit, he landed on the Rongbuk Glacier, setting a world record for the highest jump.

On October 25, 2016, Rozov set another new record by making the highest BASE jump from Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world. His jump point was 7,700 meters above sea level, and he free-falled for 90 seconds, landing on a glacier at 6,000 meters. Before this jump, he had been climbing the mountain on his own for three weeks.

Unfortunately, Valery Rozov died on November 11, 2017 in Nepal after a wingsuit jump from Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas.

The first BASE jump on hooks was made on September 11, 2013.

But the real pioneers of the sport were Americans Mike Pelkey ​​and Brian Schubert. They were the ones who jumped with a parachute from the 900-meter cliff El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 1966. Later, El Capitan became a sacred place - it was here in 1978 that the "father of base jumping" Carl Boenish came up with the abbreviation BASE and developed the correct jumping techniques.

Many extreme sportsmen have died during jumps. "Father" Carl Boenish crashed in 1984 in Norway, the day after a successful descent from the Troll Wall - the athlete made it especially for the television edition of the "Guinness Book of Records".

According to research by Christian Ellingsen, between 1995 and 2005, every 2,317th jump in Norway resulted in death, and every 254th resulted in serious injury. This is five to eight times more than in a regular parachute jump from an airplane.

BASE jumping hasn't become safer over time. For example, 28 people died in 2023, one of the worst numbers since such statistics began to be kept in 1981. The real and high risk to life attracts true extreme sports enthusiasts - those who are no longer satisfied with just jumping with a parachute.

So we learned the history of the creation of base jumping and the fate of base jumpers.

BASE Jumping Safety Tips:

1. Equipment: Use only quality equipment that has been tested and certified by professionals. Check the condition of the equipment before each jump.

2. Check the jump site: Assess the terrain for safety. Explore the site and identify potential challenges such as falling rocks, strong winds, and other obstacles.

3. Skills Training: Learn to operate your equipment, understand the procedures, and learn to act quickly in extreme conditions.

4. Assess Yourself: Choose jump sites that match your experience level and physical fitness.

5. Coordination of Information: Communicate with your partners and coaches before the jump. Clarify all details and agree on procedures.

6. Follow Safety Rules: Follow all safety rules and respect the rules of the jump site.

7. Control Your Emotions: Do not take risks if you feel afraid or anxious, calm your emotions.

8. Prepare for the unexpected: Be prepared for any circumstance. Have equipment that can protect you from falling and provide first aid if necessary.

By carefully following all these recommendations, you will reduce the risk of injury and increase your level of safety when practicing this sport.

So, we have learned the safety techniques for performing base jumping.

The dangers of basejumping

The dangers of basejumping are related to both the technical aspects of performing the jumps and environmental factors:

1. Low altitude: Unlike traditional skydiving, where jumps are made from a height of several thousand meters, a BASE jumper jumps from a much lower altitude. This means that he has less time to open the parachute and correct any errors.

2. Limited maneuvering space: The objects from which jumps are made are often of limited size, which makes it difficult to choose a flight path and avoid collisions with obstacles.

3. Weather and wind: Even minor changes in wind can significantly affect the flight path and lead to serious consequences.

4. Technical malfunctions: Any equipment malfunction can be fatal at such low altitudes.

5. Psychological factor: Extreme conditions require high concentration and confidence in your actions, which is not always possible to provide.

Accident Statistics

According to the International BASE Association, the fatality rate among BASE jumpers is significantly higher than in other extreme sports. For example, between 1981 and 2019, about 400 deaths among BASE jumpers were recorded.

For example, according to a study conducted in Norway, a fatal outcome occurs in about one case in 60 BASE practitioners. For comparison, in traditional skydiving, this figure is about one case per 100,000 jumps.

Legality

There is no law in Russia that prohibits or restricts base jumping. However, it is important to remember that entering an object, which is usually private or state property, is illegal. Officially permitted events are an exception. It is also worth considering the existence of administrative liability for offenses that infringe on public order and public safety. In a number of countries, parachute jumps from buildings without special permission are considered hooliganism.

Training

• There are no organizations in Russia that teach base jumping. All skills are transferred from a person who already has jump experience to a student. Requirements before training:
• 150-200 jumps from an airplane on wing-type parachutes
• Confident skills in piloting such canopies, building a glide path for approach and, as a result, precision skills in general
• A conscious understanding of why you want to do this sport
• Awareness of the risks and possible consequences

Conclusion

BASE jumping is an exciting, but extremely dangerous activity. On the one hand, it offers a unique feeling of freedom and adrenaline, allowing you to enjoy stunning views from above. For many, it is a way of self-expression and overcoming fears.

On the other hand, this sport requires high training and strict adherence to safety precautions. The risk of injury and even death is always present. It seems to me that before taking up base jumping, you need to seriously assess your physical and emotional strength, undergo training and practice.

It is also important to consider the moral and social aspects. Others may perceive base jumping as recklessness. In general, if you decide to try it, it is important to do it responsibly and with respect for your health and others.

But personally, I am not going to take up this sport, as I consider it too dangerous for life.

References:

1. Frank Bemish. The History of BASE Jumping. New York: Skydiver Press, 2007.

A book by the founder of modern BASE jumping, Carl Boen, which details the history and development of this sport.

2. Tom Eisenman. BASE Jumping: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Dangerous Sport. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. A guide to BASE jumping, including information on the technique, equipment, and legal aspects of the sport. It also covers safety and risk issues.

3. John Long. Extreme Sports: An Encyclopedia of Obsession. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2020.

An encyclopedia of extreme sports, including BASE jumping. Contains information on the history, development, and culture of each sport, as well as the risks associated with them.

4. James Escott. Adrenaline Junkies: Why We Risk It All for Thrills. New York: HarperCollins, 1999.

An examination of the psychological aspects of participation in extreme sports such as BASE jumping. The author examines the reasons why people seek to take risks and analyzes the consequences of such actions.

5. Stephen Kotler. The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. An analysis of the physiological and psychological mechanisms underlying extreme activities, including BASE jumping. The book contains interviews with leading athletes and scientists.

6. Erik Brynjolfsson. Death from Above: The True Story of BASE Jumper Carl Boenish. Seattle: Mountaineers Books, 2002.

A biography of Carl Boenish, one of the pioneers of BASE jumping. The book tells the story of his life, achievements, and tragic death associated with this sport. 7. Richard Hammond. On the Edge: My Story as a BASE Jumper and Wingsuit Flyer. London: Virgin Books, 2011.

An autobiographical book by the famous British TV presenter and extreme sports enthusiast Richard Hammond, in which he shares his experiences of BASE jumping and flying in a wingsuit.

Percentage of deaths from base jumping:

As we can see, the mortality rate is critically high (83.3%), which is very bad.

Applications:

1. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BF%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B3

2. https://www.ski.ru/az/blogs/tag/beisdzhamping/

3. https://www.redbull.com/ru-ru/basejumping-story

4. http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/wiki_index.php?title=BASE_Fatality_List

5. https://www.sportmaster.ru/media/articles/chto-takoe-bejsdzhamping/

6. https://web.archive.org/web/20120520033005/http://baser.ru/forum/

7. http://www.basejumper.com/

8. https://web.archive.org/web/20170815085600/http://www.basejumper.com/