BASE Jumping

103 thoughts on “BASE Fatality List”

1. No complaints on this end, spimly a good piece.

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   1. I was around Susan Oatly when see was a student, my friend was her in instructor ,
      See took forever to get off student status. When did graduate she still had a problem with her legs being up. So to close out her un know on her mistake at El Cap. she back slid into the face of El Cap. and fell to her death.
      Dan

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      1. Dan, I hate to tell you but your statement makes no sense. Clearly, you did not profit from your time at school.

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         1. * see = she
            * in instructor = instructor
            * So to close out her un know = to conclude on her unexplained {death}

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   2. Two more can be added to this list.

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      1. Several others as well. I don’t think they’re keeping up with the site.

         But most recently, aye, RIP Potter and Hunt

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   3. It wasn’t the fall that killed them……..it was the sudden stop at the end.

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      1. Potter and hunt were wing suiting to close to the rock and both hit a section of rock that protruded out, that’s what grahams dad told me,

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   4. Having a 3 way with two Beautiful Women or going on a Roller Coaster is my way of having a Thrill, but to each there own. Lot of Respect for those that took the chance to Base jump.

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   5. I knew nothing of this sport until I saw the documentary about about Carl Boenish
      “Sunshine Superman” which was not only informative but inspiring. The thing that dawned on me is the very small margin for error in most of these jumps. My conclusion was that to prevail at BASE jumping over time you have to be a lot good and a little bit lucky.

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2. R.I.P Dan Osman died November 23, 1998 at the age of 35 after his rope failed

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6YsM5Rh0Y

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   1. His would fall under rope jumping. B.A.S.E jumpers use parachutes not ropes.

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3. My greatest respect to these brave BASE jumpers.
   Rather die while living and doing what you love, than never live at all.

   Respect and condolences.

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   1. hm..how is jumping off a building away to live? its thrill seeking, and thrill seekers need more extreme means to generate the thrill
      russian roulette is another method

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      1. why do you give a crap? no ones making you leap off of anything are they? if youre super content with normal day to day drudgery, im happy for you, youre easily amused. someone elses lifestyle so long as it isn’t interfering with yours is none of youre business. youre gonna die anyway someday, and me personally would rather go out with a bang, as opposed to colon cancer or heart disease, or even worse, dementia. I mean do you know how alzhiemers kills you? your body forgets how to swallow and even breathe…. I don’t want to live to be 70 or older,I think its foolish to live in fear of death, cause theres no escape, just a ,matter of running the clock forward. I think having the courage to jump off of a building to pursue the dream of flight is amazing, I mean who hasn’t ever, at least once as a kid, dreamed of flying? dude, youre a real wet blanket

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         1. Bodey, you seem to be a little high strung. Brian just simply gave his opinion, I don’t think it was a direct attack on you. The point is that we all take risks of some sort. In the U.S I used to sky dive but had to give it up, too hard on my aging knees. I spent ten yrs on Active Duty and managed not to get killed. I now live in Germany so I ride my bike on the autobahn at 260+ kph. I also hunt in not so wide open areas surrounded by a bunch of other guys with guns who don’t always see you in the thick forest (how about that for a risk)? Bottom line is that most of us take calculated risks daily…some risks are just harder to calculate than others. Enjoy your choices. Free fall!

            Papo

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         2. Gosh, I am 74 and enjoying my life!

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         3. What you chose to believe determines your destiny.

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         4. You are right in saying that a person has a right to do what they want ( as long as they don’t hurt someone) BUT young fella I do take exception to inferring that to reach 70 you are better off dead!! Well I have and continue to have a pretty interesting life. I did my first parachute jump in 1965 aged 18, did 2 tours of Vietnam with Australian SAS, joined Rhodesian SAS, did a free fall/ pathfinder course in 1973, you jumped at night, with equipment into areas where there could be terrorists or large animals. I became an oilfield saturation diver, etc etc, in retirement I euthanase large whales with explosives for the government, a couple of months ago I rode on trail bikes 4300 Klms down the Ho Chi Minh trail through Laos and Cambodia. At 70 I still SCUBA and did my last free fall last year, I am not frightened of death but it is a bit permanent and there are still lots of places to see and things to do. I would like to be hung for rape at 99.

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            1. You’re on target and telling it the way it is. There isn’t a doubt in my military mind that you are living the dream and all of the “Base Jumpers” are also, you and living their dream! Some people are living life in their on shadow. I’m with you my friend, as we say in Heidelberg, Germany, just do it or move out of the way and allow someone else pursue their dream. If they succeed, one day they can share their stories with their grandchildren or even do a few jumps, if they have some type of fatal accident, they won’t say a word. It must be the ultimate to dive off one of those cliffs around Murren or the Eiger!

         5. Bodey, You will think different if you get close to 70. You seem angry, maybe if you allowed our saviour Jesus Christ in your heart you would see the richness of life. Just saying Bud. —–Dave

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         6. I couldn’t have said it better myself try and fail don’t fail to try smoking and drinking responsibly as you do so nowt wrong with a few calculated risks

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      2. I totally agree with you. I have to admit a certain admiration of Jeb Corliss, and maybe a few other brilliant young professionals doing this, but most of the people doing this are playing the EXACT equivalent of Russian Roulette or landing at Normandy on D-Day, except for no grand reason. I’m sure its exhilirating, the footage is incredible, but Corliss will tell you flat out that get used to everyone you know dying, and then you dying. He’s one of the best and that’s why he’s still alive, but I fully expect to hear he’s dead one day unless he retires, and he seems to be acting like he might. People who do this who have children are just idiots.

         People should work on their intellects more. Getting on stage is a risk that won’t kill you. Trying to sell your art or music is another. Helping the poor is another. Make a million dollars and give it away. I understand flying is a thrill, but you can get that in a supervised skydiving trip or a parasail or whatever. This activity is statistically so dangerous it’s comparable to running onto an interstate, and about as productive.

         Please no more rationales. I can get my thrills from watching it. Ultimately, the biggest thrill is from cheating death, but for what – making a stupid video that won’t compete with the pros? It’s really for the dumb.

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         1. People think this is more dangerous than it is. Yes people die, yes people get hurt. Driving a super sport motorcycle is equally dangerous. Deaths have been mounting in BASE because of BASE jumpers, and wingsuit pilots taking to WisBASE with not nearly enough experience; and doing things they should not when they get away with a few good flights away and decide to try Proxy. Any BASE jumper will tell you, stupidity gets people killed not BASE.

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            1. Here’s the problem with your logic: you assume that people with a lot of experience will not make mistakes. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, the laws of nature state that since you are human, you WILL make another mistake. Most people end up being very experienced drivers, yet we all make mistakes and still get in car accidents. The difference here is that BASE jumpers don’t generally recover from their mistakes. They are fatal.

            2. Ture that! People like to hate on things because they don’t understand it.And when people don’t understand things it gives them anxiety.and fear because they can’t fit in with the topic.So they join in the only way they can,by saying that’s stupid or…well just look what some are say that proves it right there! “Social anxiety” all they want is to be apart of the conversation. .Even if they have NO idea what to say..but that’s OK every one is entitled to there own opinion.

               Alexander you are 100% right

      3. If you don’t get it, fine, that’s why we call you, “Wuffos.” Either you get it or you don’t.

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      4. Many base jumpers have attained hundreds or thousands of jumps. Statistically speaking Russian Roulette has drastically worse odds.

         We are all thrill seekers in our own ways.

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      5. You do not control risks playing russian roulette, while you control everything doing base jumping. That’s the difference !

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   2. an amazing and truly inspirational person runs into a burning building to pull your unconscious ass outta there, when everyone else is running outta there— not some hyper nutbar thrill seeker

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      1. I do both as a professional firefighter/paramedic/rescuediver and a basejumper. How would you characterise me? A truly inspirational hyper nutbar thrill seeker perhaps?

         Thrill seeking is not even close to being the only reason people basejump or attend to other high risk sports. As long as people are not even trying to understand all or even some of the various reasons, their opinnions seem somewhat indifferent to me.

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   3. If life Is finite then I would agree but If not , then why throw the opportunity to grow spiritually for a rush.

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   4. Oh well, they wanted to play. As long as they did not take any innocent people with them…let them jump.
      And have one of their friends clean up the mess, instead of Rangers or Paramedics having to clean up

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4. These people were heroes.. They opened a new way to live… Lots of risks, but intense emotions.. one day, we will be able to do what they did in a safety way, because of their research in that field and their sacrifice. RESPECT and PEACE to them.

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   1. Nothing “Heroic” here at all. Just thrill seeking, noting wrong with that , but nothing heroic.

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      1. Heroes in the sense of a pioneers and experimentalists despite obvious dangers.

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         1. There’s nothing heroic about base jumping, I understand the need for an adrenaline rush, but putting your life at risk like this is selfish. You don’t understand how your, possible, death will impact your family and friends. I’ve done some stupid things in my life, things that could have killed me, but nothing that risking. I would climb anything someone dared me to, but I was young and unbreakable, invincible and believed nothing would happen to me. Well, that was 35 years ago and one last dare, I’ve been a quadriplegic since that day. You’re not unbreakable, you will die, not your next jump or the one after that, but eventually, you’ll pull the rope too late, crash into a wall or a malfunction of your chute. It’s just a matter of time.
            And to the guy who said “it’s the sudden stop that kills you”, you’re a cold hearted ass.

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            1. Amen

            2. maybe they just didnt care about their family, or maybe its the fact that its something that they enjoyed doing. you can sit in your house being “safe”, we will be out here doing what we love

            3. Thank you for sharing your story to help others. I’ve too done some really stupid stuff and could have hurt myself and others. That is the part I can’t forgive myself for. I know you must suffer that as well but please know your story may save someone and after 35 years, I hope you have found some peace. With all fond wishes

   2. Pretty long odds. Good luck. RIP oh yeah. Be a Hero.

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5. Ok, I’ll admit that I’m way too scared to ever base jump, or bungee jump. But let me share my perspective on this deadly activity.
   You are brave people to do this kind of sport. The world needs more of you desperately. Once you go out and do a few sic jumps, why not put this sport behind you and with the rest of your long life, use that courage to help the world. Whether that means taking a stand against oppressive forces, or risking your life to save someone in need of help.
   Thanks for listening.

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   1. Don’t think brave is the right word to use, maybe eccentric or fanatic wanting to push it beyond the limits, getting the adrenaline flowing to feel the rush, sad thing some get so wrapped and caught up in the jump that they forget it’s real time until it’s too late. In this sport it’s only too late once.

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      1. I agree. “Brave” means having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage. But in Martial arts, they teach “fear is your FRIEND. It keeps you ALIVE.” If these eccentric fanatics would have only been SCARED, they would have LIVED.

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6. what a foolish way to die: throwing ones life away #foolishwaytogetasugarrush

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   1. What a foolish way to live; never having tasted the edge.

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      1. We all reach the edge one day, one way or another. Some people would prefer to put it off for as long as possible, and squeeze as much joy out of their days as they can.
         You risk losing it all for a momentary thrill, and yet you call them fools.

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   2. Brian maybe your the one who is foolish for never being open to knowing what it actually feels like to be truly alive. Silly of you to post such things like this that you really know nothing about. Some of us need more out of life than most. It about quality not quantity. Not trying to be offensive but this is not the place to call all base jumpers foolish considering this is a list of many that have lost their lives. Have some respect

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      1. Ryan, you are so correct in saying what you said, “truly be alive”. So many do not know the meaning of those words. Also, paying a little homage and or respect to these people is what it’s all about. They went out doing what they enjoyed doing… leaning forward and diving off a cliff or aluminum platform at high altitudes will cause those goose bumps to appear when you’re thinking those thoughts, saying that prayer, knowing you’re in God’s hands when you go airborne and if it’s you’re time to go, you’re going! Been there and done that, however not in “Base Jumping”.

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      2. “Your the one” should be “you’re the one”. And even a solitary housewife can indeed know what it feels to be “truly alive”. I have hiked amazing places, ice skated on a lake with 15,000 other people, and the feeling of “alive” is overwhelming. I have performed on stage in front of 25,000 to 100,000 people, and those hikes and skates often felt more “alive” than those music performances. I would echo the “have some respect” for those who are more humbly “truly alive” than those whom *you* define. 🙂

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      3. What is wrong with everyone? Is it not as equal selfish by a family to stop a person from base jumping because they worry and don’t want them to kill themselves as it is selfish for the base jumper to jump?
         Where do you draw the line as the right thing to do? A safe but possibly depressed jumper or a family mourning for a lost loved one?
         The idea is to do the sport as safe as is possible. I have seen time after time individuals get hurt in skydiving because they rush forward to quickly, buy a faster canopy and then slam themselves into the ground. I have my own thoughts about these individuals but i have no right to slag them off.
         No one. For any reason, meant for good or not has the right to say how a person should conduct their own life.
         Life is ours to do with it what we want. Just everyone, please, let people be themselves. Life is confusing enough. Maybe we should all just live our own life and keep the mouth shut when we think differently to the next person.
         Peace, love and respect to you all._.

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   3. but its fun

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7. “Rather die while living and doing what you love, than never live at all.”

   I guess life sux, otherwise.

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   1. see, you get it

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8. perhaps brian would rather be known as just some guy who got killed at work or car wreck or perhaps if hes lucky old age but thats only if cancer heart or any other illness doesnt get him first and thats his choice of a way to live mine on the other hand is to enjoy everyday wether playing with my kids skydiving wingsuiting or yes base jumping
   i have told my family of all the risks that are involved with my sports of choice and they support me and know if i die tomorrow that i did so living MY life to what i see as its fullest and perhaps my death will also serve to teach the next generation of jumpers a lesson to improve our sport
   nobody has to try these sports i realize we are a elite group which also makes us a close family
   i will never give someone a hard time as to how to live there lives but i expect the same cheers:)

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   1. And Peter, I’m sure your kids will understand and be just fine if you do die with your selfish attitude about life! Personally I would of thought your responsibility to there up bringing would take president over cheep thrills! You may well of chosen that life style and to have children but they never chose you to be there parent, one who does not think twice about loosing your life over something that is inherently dangerous and with risk. You have got to be the most selfish person Iv ever come across, void of all responsibility!

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      1. Well Darren you obviously have not come across many real people. There is nothing ‘cheap’ aabout the thrills that come with high risk adrenaline sports such as BASE, for one if you want to transition into the sport properly then expect it to cost a few thousand. But aside from materialistic things such as money, if you get it wrong you pay the ultimate price. Your life. However, get it right and you will create almost utterly unique moments where time practically has no arbitrary meaning, you simply live in the moment, in which every minute action can have a serious effect on the outcome that can only go one of two ways. To say a BASE jumper has no regard for losing his life is foolish – the man with a death wish would be dead. No jumper wants to die. We all like to think we have control over our fates but it is simply an illussion we all take for granted. Nothing scares me more than routine, nothing scares me more than waking up in 20 years time wondering where the hehell it all went. I would rather jump off a cliff… =)

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         1. Ive never based jumped Eric but this statement……get it right and you will create almost utterly unique moments where time practically has no arbitrary meaning, you simply live in the moment, makes perfect sense

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         2. Eric, very well put and I’m sure you are indeed pushing it to the limit, living life to the utmost. One sentence you wrote is a little off. I am now at that person who wakes up wondering just where have the last twenty years gone, however my reasons are not from living life and pushing it to the limits, my question to the man in the mirror is why did the time past so fast, there’s still so many things I want to do but now I’m finding peace in balancing family, career and lastly comes the other hobbies that I enjoy doing but just can’t work into my schedule. I do still get in a free fall on a Wednesday afternoon, however if given the opportunity I would be in Murren or Wengen on that train going up to get that feeling! I can almost smell the air…

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   2. I couldn’t agree more. I say the same thing to my family.

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   3. Seems elitist more than elite? Just as pompous and selfish especially if u support a family but maybe you rich and u got great life insurance and your kids will be fine without you if an accident occurs. There are a high percentage of fatal mistakes in the “sport” right??

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   4. well said Peter!

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9. I am reading this as a beginner, at the request of several experienced BASE jumpers to gain perspective. I hope they nor I never make this list, but I have all the respect in the world for those on it, and who will be on it for pushing the boundaries of human experience.

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10. There are alot of great men/women who are not on this list. I just want to give everyone one (Not just decided) who’ve been in the air that we together are a spark that will never be extinguished. Every jump isn’t to prove were invincible. But to better feel human. Because any of us jumping or not can be taken by Mother Earth any time.

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11. I love looking through an article that will make men and women think.
    Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!

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12. i will risk my life and do anything if its to rescue another life or to advance flight (planes etc) or other human advances to better mankind in some way. but to risk my life for nothing i would not do. there is plenty of risk in rescue missions and so i would risk every thing to save/rescue another life. develop rescue craft that could be dangerous as thats an endeavor that has human rescue as its goal. make your life mean something for others.

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13. The only semi-dangerous sports I’ve done in the past were white water kayaking, skiing and full contact karate. I’m much too scared (or maybe sensible) to base jump. But I just wanted to say something about this death list…..
    Each young person’s name we see here has family; and unless you’ve had someone young die in your family, i.e. a brother or sister or nephew etc, you’ll never know how badly and permanently it affects family, particularly ageing parents (it will likely kill them early). Once a young person dies in a family, something dies inside each close family member forever.
    So before you base jump again think ..is it really worth the risk? ..are you perhaps being selfish by putting your life on the line for the sake of a few minutes of high? …especially if you have young children yourself.
    Youtube is full of videos of brave young people dying young during extreme danger sports and stunts.

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    1. Rob-nw Sorry I beg to differ. While any life lost is certainly a devastating experience celebrating the LIFE the person lived can also have its rewards.
       My son used to say “everyone dies, not everyone lives”
       And yes he is on this list.
       Miss him dearly but have nothing but respect for his choices. He lived more than many.
       My son’s life brings pleasure to me every day. Very proud to have known him.

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       1. Just have to say your comment Lyn overwhelmed me, and almost brought a tear to my eye – it’s very refreshing to hear someones like yours who’s lost a loved one like this.

          ive thought about BASE a few times and only now actually considering it after I now meet the requirements. I’m not taking it light by any means and if I do go on a course know the actual realisation of standing there might be enough that I realise this isn’t for me and walk away, but for my that’s part of my reasoning for wanting to do it.

          I hate how people say doing X Y Z is selfish because dying will be devastating to friends or family and that means you cant live your dreams, one could argue the opposite.

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          1. Understand you cant or shouldn’t go from the office to the edge of a bridge. You really need 200 or better yet, 500 skydives. Legally, no, realistically, yes. So spend years getting into it and don’t make the list when you otherwise wouldn’t have to.

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14. Hats off to these guys for doing what they want, their lives. I live in the Isle of Man, home of the TT races, and people flock here twice a year to see guys doing what they love doing. There’s no run off areas, just hedges, walls and lamp posts. And you come off you’re getting it. As a friend of mine once told me “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much fucking room!!”

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15. Hi all,

    I was in Lysebotn, Norway in July and on Tuesday 22nd, I witnessed a Canadian man jump and then get into trouble, smashing into the mountain several times before being air lifted away in critical condition. I’ve been unable to find out if he survived and is now on the mend?

    Any information would be greatly appreciated.

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16. i was watching the wingsuit warrior on discovery the other day & was inspired.these base jumpers & wingsuit warriors are either brave or are alpha human beings -they are enjoying life to the max & its their lives & their bodies . to die or live its your choice & to hell with the consequences !!!!
    i’d rather jump out of a plane without a parachute than die a slow angonising death.

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17. I’m not sure why people that are so against BASE are even reading this. Go back to ur 9 to 5 and fat wives. None of you have a clue. RESPECT to those with a pulse an enjoy life. The rest of you get back to your stamp collections.

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    1. That’s funny !! And I agree. Even some of the BASEjumpers don’t get it,,they think some of the BASEjumpers take way too big of risk…They wil never get it..Maybe they should stick to direct bag jumps over smooth lakes,,that shouldn’t even count,,their limits are in a different place…I’d have to cut my throat out of boredom……..CE – 5 Bill Legg

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18. Personally, I’m inspired and educated by the list, with great thanks to the compiler and respect to the victims. I think it’s too many. Something’s not quite right about that. I went broke around 2008 due to global financial bullshit and been broke ever since. At that stage I was at 300+ jumps with dreams of doing Angel Falls. The dream is still alive, plus I’d love to have a go at KLT – both of which seem to have adequate “open” (rather than secretive) help available for learning, which is, I believe, the key to greater fun and few deaths. I hope I make it. Things like this site, inspire me to do so.
    Peace and love and happy fun jumping to all !!!

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19. Its a shame people have died doing the best sport, and I hope we learn form their screw ups.

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20. ‘living’ is not necessarily cheating death.

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21. Everyday is a risk. Going to the market and you never make it. So live for today! If you give your life pursuing a challenge, then it’s karma. These people aren’t thrill seekers, not super humans, they are people like you and I. Life is impermanent, so enjoy as you see best, but be pleased that others have found their own way to to enjoy it, too.
    “I used to think the worst thing in life was being alone. It isn’t. The worst thing in life is being with people that make you feel alone.” Mr. Robin Williams

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22. Mark Mosley was a friend of mine from high school. I was sorry to learn of his death, but feel privileged to have known him. I never guessed he would become both a highly-skilled, compassionate dentist and a BASE jumper. He died in southeast Kansas, in a jump from a giant excavating machine that was a local tourist attraction. Tens of thousands of us die every year in meaningless automobile “accidents”; at least Mark died doing something he loved!

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23. Base jumping has definitely been something I have dreamed of doing, but common sense tells me to keep it as a dream.
    At 49 years old, I find surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and riding my motorcycle enough of a thrill for me.
    With regards to riding my motorcycle, I ride it according to the road conditions and use common sense to enjoy the feeling, and yes, when the conditions are good for it I like to give it a lot of power.
    Surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding are always exhilarating activities to do and the risk factor is minimal even if I did come off the skateboard at great speed down a hill.
    As far as base jumping goes, I think that it looks like a certain path to death.
    I hope that before you die, that you give surfing a try.

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24. You cannot fear death forever. Eventually it will come. These men and women are comfortable with the thought of dying, now they can truly live. They are brave and strong. Cheers.

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25. This IS my correct E-Address. To keep the fatality list right, Contact Rick or Joy Harrison, They run the U.S.B.A. Jean Boenish did before. Rick lives near Galveston, Texas….I th ink it should be kept up with. Try not to get on this list !!!! ha Bill Legg

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26. Our fallen brothers and sisters will always be remembered for living life to the fullest. So many more that are not on this list but this is a reminder to never forget where our sport has come and where it is going.

    Blue Skies!

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27. I watched the base jumper in KL in 2010. Was photographing them. I was on edge also. They were happy enough me taking flash photos.

    My camera went into flash calibration mode just as a girl was jumping – it flashes repeatedly, about 20 a second. No idea why the did it. Was first time and the camera has done it once since in the years I’ve had it.

    Lots of dirty looks but thankfully she was ok.

    One of the jumpers was in flying suit. I heard in 2012 he had a fatal accident in Australia.

    Too dangerous for me. I used to ride super bikes. Have had near death bike accidents.

    Daughter now so I live life very free of risks I used to take.

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28. Ps I think it’s about waying risk and consequence.

    If you ride a motorcycle in hi vis and never speed only only weekends, no problem – even if you have kids (they come Into consequence calculation)

    If you parachute several times a year same.

    If you BASE jump have no children and have wayed the outcome it a decision you’ve made. Hope it doesn’t effect anyone else.

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29. Hi all,
    I am a scientist and as a scientist I remember that if humans can fly using airplanes today it has been thanks to the death of many. I do not know what will be the ultimate outcome of BASE jumping. I do think though that in the near future this activity will give birth to wonderfull potentially life saving applications. To me the people on this list are pioneers who gave their life to satisfy and improve their passion, please respect them and their choices because today they seem marginals but they might be tomorrow’s heroes. Enjoy your life and passions, life is short, BASE or not, the important is to know what to do with the time that is given to you.
    Best regards
    Marco

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    1. As a scientist who is thrilled about the study of flight I actively jump my own inventions. Your are correct Marco. The BASE community ..although I am not yet one of them…. is motivated by many things. All will contribute to the progress of human flight among many other things impossible to predict. Hats off to these pioneers in many ways. I for one have become a far better Man for living my life. The idea that our children respect us more for not living our life and living for them is ridiculous. Live YOUR life and be the example to your children on how to extract the most of the days you are given to make decisions. FREEDOM and Progress of Humans is what we are talking about. Not simply existing. It bigger than any one of us. I love these Men and Women who are willing to put it all at stake and push the edge of Human kind. We must also realize that most of BASE are highly skilled pros and get there through a long path of training and effort and not simply stumble upon a building with a parachute….

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       1. You are so right!!! BASE jumping and skydiving is an amazing sport that has opened my eyes to an amazing life and skydivers and base jumpers are some of the best people I have EVER met. We are fam and look out for each other and we share a passion that only us will understand. Wuffos will never understand our way of living.

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30. 2016 Jan 13 Mathew Kenney, 29, of Santa Cruz

    ”A California man has died while wingsuit-flying among remote cliffs on the Arizona-Utah border…”

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31. Would be interested for the list to have more clarity around which were proxy flying accidents.

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32. What about Dwain Weston?

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    1. Dwain Weston died jumping out of a helicopter at a BASE jumping event. He did not die BASE jumping.

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33. I am seeing so many ignorant comments. Have some respect for the base jumpers who have passed. Just because someone does something you don’t understand doesn’t make them stupid. Everything you do in life comes with risk. Getting in your car you put yourself at risk of dying in a car accident whether it’s your fault or not. Eating McDonald’s you put yourself in a serious health problem. Having sex unprotected you put yourself at risk of AIDS or other diseases. Swimming at the beach you put yourself at risk of being attacked my a shark or other dangerous animals. The list goes on and on. At least with BASE jumping YOU have control of what’s gonna happen with your jump. These come with skills. Skills that you learn while skydiving. Skydiving is statistically safer than driving your car and there are so many safety procedures that you have to follow. Learning how to use your rear risers and land with accuracy is important in BASE jumping. Learning how to pack your parachute correctly and efficiently so that it opens on heading so you don’t hit the cliff but if it does open off heading, using your rear risers to turn your canopy immediately so you don’t hit the cliff is important. These are some of the skills that you need to keep you alive. It also comes with time and practice while skydiving. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. As long as you don’t rush and you use the skills you are taught and you don’t rush and follow your gut and don’t jump in sketchy weather then you will be fine. Yes it is dangerous but you have control of your life. In a car you don’t, in the water you don’t, when someone is pointing a gun at you to rob you YOU DONT HAVE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION. BASE jumping and skydiving you do.

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    1. So I guess what you’re actually saying is that all these people were suicidal since they had “control of the situation”. Either they DID have control and intentionally offed themselves, or they DIDN’T have control and mistakenly offed themselves. You can’t have it both ways, so I’m going with the latter.

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34. David jag gråter fortfarande men vet att du hade livsenergi för fem liv på den korta tiden <3

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35. I have no desire what so ever to base job but people have free will to do what ever they wish. I don’t however agree with the common conception regarding people who have never lived or life not worthwhile if not doing something you love. My parents had a very hard life and I have had it pretty difficult making ends meet with my own family and kids. Yes I have a boring daily routine and wish I had money and time to do what I wish but we don’t all get what we want in life and I do not feel life wasted as I have not lived on the ‘edge’ The human population from dawn would not have gotten far with that attitude and interesting from the list of people, the same countries come up again and again, no hard up poor countries there. Maybe all these thrill seekers who think hum drum life equals drudgery needs a more humbling life experiences to appreicate other peoples lives.

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36. This was a very interesting thread. I started the BASE Fatality List in 1989. There were only six then.

    NickD
    BASE 194

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37. The actual founder of the sport died a few years after he named it. Think it through.

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38. I did NRG in 1987 landed in the drink, amen for the boats

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39. For every successful death defying act you are one attempt closer to the unsuccessful one.

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40. I always am fascinated by the people who’ve applauded those of us who have undoubtedly have cherished a life lived rather than one only imagined, only to ask in the next breath… why. They’re usually the same ones who can’t wait to get to heaven but don’t want to die to do it. Guess what…? “Don’t be afraid your life will end, be afraid it will never begin”. – Grace Hansen

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41. Death listing:

    Joshua Sheppard Antenna River Junction, Michigan, USA

    Location was “Rives Junction”, not “River Junction”.

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