A journey through the most extreme side of physical activity to discover the most dangerous extreme sports that exist. Some sports that, putting life at risk, give incredible doses of adrenaline.
The feeling of adrenaline that extreme sports generate in you is difficult to achieve in any other way , but we must bear in mind the danger that these practices entail for our physical integrity. People with the purpose of harboring new sensations have sought to carry out activities that can endanger their lives.
Despite the established security measures, the risks remain high since they are factors that are part of the sport itself, such as high speed, lack of oxygen, low temperatures or blows. For this reason we must be very aware and always carry out this activity safely and putting our lives and that of others at the least possible risk. Better to abandon than to force unduly.
In this article we present some of the sports considered to be the most dangerous, briefly describing what they consist of and outlining some of the statistics that make them more risky.
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What are risk sports?
Risk sports consist of a type of activity that poses a real or apparent danger to the integrity or physical health of the person who practices it , with a higher probability of ending in a fatal accident. The main objective of the sports that are classified in this category, apart from enjoying doing an exercise that we like, is the increase in adrenaline that it entails, they are the strong emotions that they trigger.
But we must not forget that, despite the risk, there is preparation and security measures behind it to protect the life of the athlete. With this point we mean that we cannot think that this type of sports can be done by everyone, since normally the necessary physical condition is high and apart from that they subject you to continuous medical check-ups to evaluate and control their physical condition.
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What are the most dangerous extreme sports?
There are different variables that can influence and make a sport dangerous, for example we could point out height, speed, blows, lack of oxygen, weather conditions or low temperatures, among others. Below we will mention 10 of the most dangerous sports in the world, pointing out their characteristics that make them so risky.
1. Jump BASE
BASE jumping is considered the most dangerous sport in the world, due to the low height at which it is jumped and the precise calculation it requires. The activity consists of jumping from different places from a low height, such as a building or a cliff. To avoid falling, the athlete is equipped with a parachute and a special jump suit.
Given the danger of the jump and how close it is to the different constructions, it is essential to measure well and calculate correctly how it will be done. If any of the variables are altered, such as a lot of wind, the exercise will be cancelled. The most dangerous sport title is due to the fact that on average it is estimated that of 60 jumps, 1 ends in death , in the last two years the death toll has risen to 47.
2. Free climbing
Free climbing consists of, as its name indicates, climbing but without any security measures. It is a modality where the climber does not carry any type of material, no harness, no rope, no hook, the activity depends only on their skills. For greater safety, this type of climbing is only done when the athlete already knows the area well and has climbed it on other occasions. It is estimated that on average 1 out of every 27,000 athletes who practice this activity dies .
3. High mountain
High-altitude mountaineering involves climbing to heights where oxygen is scarce. High mountain is a dangerous sport for which not everyone is prepared, it requires prior training since we subject our body to extreme conditions of low oxygen level.
It has been seen that from 2,100 meters above sea level the oxygen in the blood decreases drastically and at 8,000 meters of altitude the conditions are already unbearable for the human being, considering this height as the death zone, where immediate death occurs. , due to the loss of vital signs or the mental affectation generated, makes the subject make bad decisions that lead to his death.
Given the extreme conditions in which this sport is carried out, the death rate is high. On Everest, which is the highest mountain in the world considering sea level, it is estimated that more than 300 people have died since its first attempt in 1922 .
4. Skydiving
In skydiving, unlike the BASE jump already presented, the height from which the subject jumps is higher, being performed from planes, helicopters or balloons. In this way, it consists of making a free fall to later stop with the opening of the parachute that cushions the impact. Although currently unprepared people can practice this sport, they always do it accompanied by an expert and the situation is still dangerous.
Currently the risk has increased since there is a new modality (although it is still being discussed if it can be considered as such) swooping, which consists of flying with the parachute as close as possible to the ground and at high speed. One death is calculated for every 101,083 jumps .
5. Motorcycling
Motorcycling is a sport that hosts a worldwide competition called the World Motorcycling Championship. This competition consists of speed motorcycling, where races are held on closed circuits with the aim of achieving the best position. The maximum speed reached is greater than 360 km/h, so any failure or fall can be fatal. Apart from the high number of injuries that this sport entails, it is estimated that since 1949, when the first motorcycling world championship was held, more than 100 riders have died .
6. Cavern diving
This diving specialty consists of exploring underwater caves. The experience is more risky as the diminution of the amount of light can make the diver blind, disoriented and may panic. For this reason it is necessary to know and master the activity in order to carry it out with the greatest possible safety. In addition, other variables are added that increase the danger such as the decrease in temperature, being able to suffer from hypothermia or dependence on an oxygen pump to be able to breathe.
7. Boxing
Boxing is a sport where two opponents fight using only their fists. Despite being equipped with gloves, the strong blows that the competitors receive can produce sequelae, especially those caused to the head, which usually generates a more rapid brain degeneration. In this way, despite the security measures taken, it is estimated that every year about 10 boxers die from blows received during combat.
8. Heli-ski
Heli-skiing is a type of skiing that consists of taking skiers with helicopters to points where the snow is virgin, thus achieving a different experience from that experienced on normal and prepared slopes. The dangers can be different since the slope is not conditioned and the skier does not know what he can find, they can collide with trees or even be surprised by an avalanche of snow.
9. Rugby
Despite the security measures, rugby is a contact sport, where blows occur that cause injuries to the players and increase the risk of the game. Thus, it is calculated that the average incidence of injuries in players is 17 injuries per 1,000 hours of play .
As we pointed out with boxing, the constant blows and shocks to which these athletes are subjected, apart from an immediate injury, also increases the probability of causing future damage such as bone, muscle or brain problems.
10. Motoring
Motorsports is a sport that, as its name indicates, is practiced with a car, normally the objective of the prize is to make a route as quickly as possible or make the greatest number of laps. There are different modalities that are part of this sport such as Formula 1, rallying, drift or Nascar.
In the same way that happens with motorcycling competitions, the speeds that are reached in order to win are extremely high, with the current maximum speed being 378 km/h, a fact that means that despite having the necessary safety measures, crashes can be fatal. In order to preserve the lives of the competitors, the necessary measures are taken so that the circuit is not dangerous, the pilot is provided with special equipment and dangerous circuits are eliminated from the championship. For example, since the first Formula 1 prize was held in 1950, 52 drivers have been killed .
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
