What's the worlds most dangerous and extreme sport?
Discussion
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
TbirdX said:
How about extreme breath holding..or free diving as it's more commonly called.
Remarkably safe when practised properly.I'd argue it's less dangerous than SCUBA in the sense that you aren't dependent on kit and can always ascend.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/the-last-deep-di...
Besides, these guys are at the absolute limit. I don't think they're especially representative of most of the participants who are more like 'advanced snorkellers'. I count myself in that category, by the way. Only managed a ball hair off 40 feet so far.
Also, if I'm honest, I prefer 40' as it sounds less impressive in meters
Disastrous said:
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
TbirdX said:
How about extreme breath holding..or free diving as it's more commonly called.
Remarkably safe when practised properly.I'd argue it's less dangerous than SCUBA in the sense that you aren't dependent on kit and can always ascend.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/the-last-deep-di...
Besides, these guys are at the absolute limit. I don't think they're especially representative of most of the participants who are more like 'advanced snorkellers'. I count myself in that category, by the way. Only managed a ball hair off 40 feet so far.
Also, if I'm honest, I prefer 40' as it sounds less impressive in meters
One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
p1stonhead said:
One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Your instructor needs shooting if he/she told you to do that.For me extreme sports boil down to two specific types. There are those that you can start an activity and stop it whenever you get scared, or panic, and those where you have no choice but to see it through to the end.
All sports can have sudden fatalities, even golf (old people playing) or football, but nobody tee's off seriously expecting to die before they reach the end of the course.
Climbing (to an extent), motorsport, horse riding, diving, all have a pause button. If things start to go wrong you can take stock, evaluate your options and stop. For me the most dangerous are the sports which once you start, you are committed right through to the end. Something like big wave surfing, or skydiving. If something goes wrong, you are at the mercy of the gods. You can't stop, or call in help, you just have to ride it out.
All sports can have sudden fatalities, even golf (old people playing) or football, but nobody tee's off seriously expecting to die before they reach the end of the course.
Climbing (to an extent), motorsport, horse riding, diving, all have a pause button. If things start to go wrong you can take stock, evaluate your options and stop. For me the most dangerous are the sports which once you start, you are committed right through to the end. Something like big wave surfing, or skydiving. If something goes wrong, you are at the mercy of the gods. You can't stop, or call in help, you just have to ride it out.
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
p1stonhead said:
Disastrous said:
TbirdX said:
How about extreme breath holding..or free diving as it's more commonly called.
Remarkably safe when practised properly.I'd argue it's less dangerous than SCUBA in the sense that you aren't dependent on kit and can always ascend.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/the-last-deep-di...
Besides, these guys are at the absolute limit. I don't think they're especially representative of most of the participants who are more like 'advanced snorkellers'. I count myself in that category, by the way. Only managed a ball hair off 40 feet so far.
They are a lot more efficient so produce more power for less effort, therefore you can get down to 40ft in seconds (not to take the thunder off people diving that deep)...
CaptainSlow said:
LimaDelta said:
Climbing (to an extent), motorsport, horse riding, diving, all have a pause button. If things start to go wrong you can take stock, evaluate your options and stop. .
Of course you could have a sudden mechanical failure in a car or bike which instantly makes you a passenger, but as I said any sport can unexpectedly kill you - even golf or driving to work. That doesn't make those activities extreme or inherently dangerous.
I know you compete or are active in motorsport. How scared do you actually feel when starting an event? I'd wager not at all as you are a professional and have invested a lot of time learning your skill and preparing your car. I'm sure to the casual spectator what you do seems extreme and dangerous, but you mitigate all (as far as one can) dangers before you even turn the key. If you thought there was something loose with the rear suspension - would you carry on? or pull back into the pits to have it checked? That is my point.
Du1point8 said:
40ft is not that deep free diving... the fins are completely different so there is a lot less effort to get deeper faster.
They are a lot more efficient so produce more power for less effort, therefore you can get down to 40ft in seconds (not to take the thunder off people diving that deep)...
Partly yes - the fins are a big help but the main challenge for me is equalising effectively using the frenzel technique. I could have easily gone deeper but just could not get my left ear to pop!They are a lot more efficient so produce more power for less effort, therefore you can get down to 40ft in seconds (not to take the thunder off people diving that deep)...
LimaDelta said:
CaptainSlow said:
LimaDelta said:
Climbing (to an extent), motorsport, horse riding, diving, all have a pause button. If things start to go wrong you can take stock, evaluate your options and stop. .
Of course you could have a sudden mechanical failure in a car or bike which instantly makes you a passenger, but as I said any sport can unexpectedly kill you - even golf or driving to work. That doesn't make those activities extreme or inherently dangerous.
I know you compete or are active in motorsport. How scared do you actually feel when starting an event? I'd wager not at all as you are a professional and have invested a lot of time learning your skill and preparing your car. I'm sure to the casual spectator what you do seems extreme and dangerous, but you mitigate all (as far as one can) dangers before you even turn the key. If you thought there was something loose with the rear suspension - would you carry on? or pull back into the pits to have it checked? That is my point.
pitboard said:
Gargamel said:
High Altitude Mountaineering has probably the highest statistical fatality rate. Anything above 8000 metres.
Especially as it can affect absolutely anyone, so all participants are at risk (unless you are a sherpa I suppose)
Would be interesting to see a proper stats list.
Edit
Found this
http://www.tetongravity.com/story/adventure/your-c...
1 in 10 above 6000m in the Himalayas....
[/quote=Gargamel]
High altitude stuff was always a dangerous game, even in the days when all participants were highly skilled and experienced and had earned the right to be invited or organise an expedition. Nowadays, all it takes is money, and the mountains are defiled with legions of commodities brokers and hedge fund managers with a tick list.
[/quote=pitboard]
Especially as it can affect absolutely anyone, so all participants are at risk (unless you are a sherpa I suppose)
Would be interesting to see a proper stats list.
Edit
Found this
http://www.tetongravity.com/story/adventure/your-c...
1 in 10 above 6000m in the Himalayas....
[/quote=Gargamel]
High altitude stuff was always a dangerous game, even in the days when all participants were highly skilled and experienced and had earned the right to be invited or organise an expedition. Nowadays, all it takes is money, and the mountains are defiled with legions of commodities brokers and hedge fund managers with a tick list.
[/quote=pitboard]
Edited by Gargamel on Tuesday 24th May 13:02
CaptainSlow said:
LimaDelta said:
CaptainSlow said:
LimaDelta said:
Climbing (to an extent), motorsport, horse riding, diving, all have a pause button. If things start to go wrong you can take stock, evaluate your options and stop. .
Of course you could have a sudden mechanical failure in a car or bike which instantly makes you a passenger, but as I said any sport can unexpectedly kill you - even golf or driving to work. That doesn't make those activities extreme or inherently dangerous.
I know you compete or are active in motorsport. How scared do you actually feel when starting an event? I'd wager not at all as you are a professional and have invested a lot of time learning your skill and preparing your car. I'm sure to the casual spectator what you do seems extreme and dangerous, but you mitigate all (as far as one can) dangers before you even turn the key. If you thought there was something loose with the rear suspension - would you carry on? or pull back into the pits to have it checked? That is my point.
p1stonhead said:
I've been down as far as 100ft scuba diving during my advanced open water course, I can't imagine free diving to more than 5 times that depth. Just insane.
One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
I think you meant to breathe out and not breathe in fella. One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
Someone I know is a skydiver, and a fairly prolific one from what I can gather.
They and their other half & have a pact. "Dangerous" pastimes are allowed with two exceptions:
1. Base jumping. Kinda understandable.
2. Riding a motorbike! Er, I ride into work every day! Not entirely in the same league!
They and their other half & have a pact. "Dangerous" pastimes are allowed with two exceptions:
1. Base jumping. Kinda understandable.
2. Riding a motorbike! Er, I ride into work every day! Not entirely in the same league!
motorizer said:
Powerboat racing in general is very dangerous.
I have done this exactly SIX times in two different categories (offshore).Of the six attempts - we/I have actually finished the race four times - and in EACH of those times, at some point in the race I have been utterly convinced that my life was definitely over. A definite thrill.
Of the two times that we did not finish - on one occasion we simply had engine failure - but then had the front of the boat taken off by another competitor who hit us doing well over 50mph.
The second time resulted in back problems that I still live with today - nearly 30 years later.
As they say - if at first you don't succeed - parachuting's probably not your Sport!!
stuttgartmetal said:
p1stonhead said:
I've been down as far as 100ft scuba diving during my advanced open water course, I can't imagine free diving to more than 5 times that depth. Just insane.
One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
I think you meant to breathe out and not breathe in fella. One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
GT03ROB said:
stuttgartmetal said:
p1stonhead said:
I've been down as far as 100ft scuba diving during my advanced open water course, I can't imagine free diving to more than 5 times that depth. Just insane.
One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
I think you meant to breathe out and not breathe in fella. One of the strangest experiences we had was when the instructors told us to take a deep breath and swim to the surface from about 10m down. As we got got nearer to the surface, the air in our lungs expanded so we went from feeling like running out of air, to suddenly having more. Very strange feeling.
Miss diving. Haven't been for over a decade
Perhaps the question should be, you are doing a really dangerous sports and how far away are the emergency services?
Cave diving you are really on your own
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36097300
Cave diving you are really on your own
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36097300
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