BASE Jumping vs. Skydiving: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve spent any time on the internet, you’ve probably stumbled across jaw-dropping videos of athletes leaping from cliffsides, bridges, and skyscrapers. That’s BASE jumping, and it’s about as extreme as it gets. But how does it compare to skydiving? And if you’re someone who’s dreaming of freefall, which one is right for you?

In this post we’ll break down exactly what BASE jumping is, how it differs from skydiving, and why almost every BASE jumper starts exactly where you are right now: curious about their first jump.

BASE Jumping: What is it?

BASE is actually an acronym that stands for Building, Antennae, Span (think bridge), and Earth (usually tall cliffs). These letters represent the four primary “exit points” that BASE jumpers leap from.

Unlike skydiving, BASE jumps happen fast. Jumpers leap from a fixed object, often just a few hundred feet off the ground, with only seconds to deploy their parachute. There is very little room for error.

You may have also seen footage of athletes making BASE jumps in wingsuits soaring through narrow mountain valleys. This is a related discipline that draws a lot of curiosity and requires even more experience to pursue.

BASE Jumping vs. Skydiving Explained

There are a number of differences between skydiving and BASE jumping. Although, you will rarely find a BASE jumper that didn’t begin with skydiving. In fact, the majority of reputable BASE first jump courses require that participants are experienced skydivers who have completed at least 200 jumps. 

In general, pre-BASE jump requirements are in place to ensure that BASE participants have enough experience with the aerodynamics of parachute flight in order to be able to land in tight spaces – which is what the majority of BASE jumps require. (Imagine leaping from the top story of a building and landing on a tiny section of the street below – that requires some serious chops!)

So what exactly sets these two sports apart? Here’s a quick breakdown:

* United States Parachute Association & Federal Aviation Administration

One Parachute vs Two Parachutes

One key difference with skydiving vs BASE jumping is the number of parachutes you jump with. Skydivers jump with a dual-parachute system that includes a main parachute and a reserve parachute. Additional safety equipment includes the AAD (Automatic Activation Device), which is designed to automatically deploy the reserve parachute when certain parameters are met; the MARD (Main-Assisted Reserve Deployment) system; and the RSL (Reserve Static Line).

With BASE jumping, in contrast, individuals jump with only a single-parachute system. There simply isn’t time to deploy a reserve parachute in the event of a mid-jump issue.

Exit Altitude

Another difference between skydiving and BASE jumping is the altitude of the exit point. In skydiving, full-altitude skydives are typically completed between 9,000 and 14,000 feet, with high-altitude skydiving options occurring from above 15,000 feet. In the industry, low-altitude skydives often referred to as hop-n-pops, which are completed anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 feet. Conversely, BASE jumps are typically completed from an altitude of 300 to 2,000 feet.

Less Margin For Error

Skydiving is inherently risky, but BASE jumping has a narrower margin for error. Because of the low altitude that BASE jumps are completed from, BASE jumpers have just a few seconds to orient their bodies before successfully deploying their single parachute. 

Furthermore, many BASE jumps are made into less-than-ideal landing areas, often rocky, natural settings or, in the case of buildings and antennas, areas bordered by power lines and in close proximity to moving traffic. Each of these elements exponentially increases the dangers involved in BASE jumping.

How to Get Into BASE Jumping

Individuals who are interested in BASE jumping are encouraged to begin with skydiving in order to learn the fundamentals of flight. Most important is to gain mastery of stability in freefall and canopy flight skills. Once your skills dialed in, ask around the dropzone about BASE first jump courses and, ideally, find a mentor who can help to guide your progression.

BASE jumping is the ultimate extreme sport, but it’s not for novices. Every BASE jumper has a first jump story, and almost all of them start with a tandem skydive. If freefall is calling your name, Skydive Tecumseh is the place to answer it!

Ready to take the first step? Book your tandem skydive today and find out what freefall actually feels like. No experience required! Blue skies!