Rescuers Not Concerned About Idaho BASE Jumping Accidents—Yet

July 01--TWIN FALLS -- BASE jumping accidents in Twin Falls have increased this year, but rescuers say they're not concerned. Yet.

"Bottom line is, we don't feel that it's troublesome or impacting our community as far as the rescues," said Lori Stewart, spokeswoman for the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office.

Because BASE jumpers usually land on the county side of the Snake River Canyon, the Twin Falls Sheriff's Office responds.

A few on-duty deputies show up, but most rescuers are volunteers from the county's 50-member Search and Rescue team, said sheriff's Lt. Daron Brown.

"When a call goes out, they leave their job or what they're doing to go help," he said.

Some volunteers start with no training, but others have experience diving, rappelling, rock climbing or other skills. The sheriff's office raises money to send volunteers to train at underwater crime-scene investigations and high-angle rescues.

"They have to pass a criminal background check," Brown said. "Sometimes that's the hardest part."

Along with BASE jumps gone wrong, search and rescue members help injured hikers, boaters, cliff divers, swimmers and more in and around the canyon.

For these incidents, one to four deputies respond, the same number that would respond to a car crash or active burglary, Brown said.

So far this year, the sheriff's office has responded to five BASE jumping accidents, requiring a total of about 15 hours, Stewart said.

By comparison, deputies have responded to about 35 suicide threats or attempts at the I.B. Perrine Bridge.

Over the past 12 months, they've responded to 605 car crashes throughout the county, Stewart said. One crash alone can require six hours of work.

For Brown, BASEjump rescues are just another call. "We have the resources to go take care of it. It's not a burden on taxpayers. The BASE jumpers bring more money into the community than is expended on a rescue."

BASEjumpers from all over the world not only spend money while visiting here, but also give Twin Falls a certain cachet, said City Councilman Shawn Barigar, president of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. The jumps also draw many spectators, he said.

BASE jumpers are a tight-knit group who spread the message to respect the privilege of jumping at the canyon, a message that has a positive effect on the community, Barigar said.

"I think they're a responsible bunch who understand their impacts."

When a BASE jumper recently was injured after leaping from the canyon's north side, Jerome County deputies took the lead, said Jerome County Sheriff Doug McFall.

McFall said that was only the second time his department has done so since he became sheriff, but he also was one of the rare jumpers to land on the north side when he made his first solo BASEjump.

He said a line got twisted as he jumped, and by the time it was untwisted, he was headed straight toward the canyon's north wall.

"I landed in the water, and a boat came and scooped me up."

McFall, who has done 22 jumps, wasn't injured. But he said a friend broke a leg on a jump and decided to ride by ambulance rather than helicopter to the hospital.

"That's a decision made between the paramedics and the patient,"Brown said. "Law enforcement has no deciding factor."

Air St. Luke's is a private company, so the helicopter cost is paid by the patient, not the county, Stewart said.

As extreme sports such as BASE jumping become more popular, she said, deputies are ready to respond but ask that people stick with activities at their own skill level.

"We think that Twin Falls County has a wide variety of opportunities, and that's one of the things that we all love about living here."

Copyright 2013 - The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho