Increasing numbers of wingsuit jumpers are dying (2016)
I had a close call this summer whitewater rafting on the Upper Animas River in Colorado and it has caused me to re-think every serious risk I take and has changed me in a big way.  I was participating in a multi-day trip run by one of the local guiding outfits through the Upper section of the river, a much more difficult and serious undertaking than the Lower Animas, which is frequently run by average day-tripping tourists.  We were on the No Name Rapid [1] and our boat capsized at the entrance to the rapid.  I was stuck below the boat, my body somehow entangled in rigging, and was dragged underwater for some distance through a very fierce class V rapid.  I was finally able to free myself enough to get my mouth above water and breathe, close to drowning.   I managed to fully free myself and swam to shore at the first opportunity.  When I made it, I kissed the ground and promised that I would never needlessly risk my life in the pursuit of adrenaline again.  I cried like a baby when I returned home that evening and held my kids and wife again.<p>Prior to this trip, I had done many adventurous and dangerous activities: rock climbing, ice climbing, lots of mountaineering, off-road driving, backcountry skiing... it really brings it all into perspective when you have a close call.  All of that adrenaline-chasing just seems completely ridiculous to me now.<p>[1] The No Name Rapid.  We capsized at the spot pictured at around 0:04s.  <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=cjO37ABQ6mI" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=cjO37ABQ6mI</a>