Building Escape Parachutes

[zennie]

I'm a big Penn & Teller fan so when I heard about their show "Bull****", I hit their site and browsed through some of the episode clips.

One episode was called "Safety Hysteria".... I was treated to this.

[skydvr18]

Oh great. So we have a clown in Twin putting off anybody that has $110. With his advice and HOPE, people are going to go out, buy an emergency chute, and start jumping on their own. What is happening to BASE????

[zennie]

Oh great. So we have a clown in Twin putting off anybody that has $110. With his advice and HOPE, people are going to go out, buy an emergency chute, and start jumping on their own. What is happening to BASE????

Well Mr. Houri didn't make all that convincing of a sales pitch, so I think we're pretty safe on that count. What grabbed my attention was the rigs themselves... I'd almost consider taking my chances rigless than wear one of those things.

One of the advantages of being a BASE jumper though... a rig and an iron mallot should get you out of most any high-rise pickle.

[sabre210]

What is happening to BASE??????

I don''t think that the HOPE system has anything to do with BASE as a pastime, and i think it is exactly what it is, someone's lifeline, their last chance of surivival in a desperate situation. Yeah it could be abused but this thing could save peoples lives and if you were faced with the decision to strap one on and take your chances or plummet to certain death/burn alive, i reckon you'd think it was a good idea too.

Parachutes were designed originally to save lives.....we hijacked them to have fun.......this is someone reappropriating them for their original function. Let's not forget that.

[skydvr18]

"...and i think it is exactly what it is, someone's lifeline, their last chance of surivival in a desperate situation." The guy in the video would certainly be better off taking the stairs.