BASE jumping has been around for a long time. The earliest recorded jump was in 1912 when Frederick Law jumped off the Statue of Liberty. During that time, BASE jumping was more the stunt aspect than competition. However, in the late 1970s things changed and BASE jumping was termed by Carl Boenish, who died during BASE jumping in 1984.
BASE jumping can be extremely dangerous considering the fact that the parachute can malfunction or human error can cause serious injuries or instantaneous death. However, BASE jumping enthusiasts make sure that they check their gear thoroughly and follow the basic rules.
It is important to check the parachute before attempting BASE jumping. The jumps are usually executed from low altitudes and that is why parachutes designed to open quickly should be used. In addition, falling speed is low so the parachute should also be designed to open and deploy at low speeds. There are special BASE jumping parachutes available and you should use only those.
You should also be conversant with how to use a parachute. You should know how to deploy a parachute, when to deploy it and how to land with a parachute safely. For this you would have to practice and many experts suggest trying skydiving to master the art of handling parachutes.
BASE jumping is fun and exciting sport if you have the nerves. However, make sure you learn all the nitty-gritties of the sport before attempting a jump.