Death defying day jobs

During his volcano walk on Ambrym Island — part of the Vanuatu archipelago, east of Australia — his team used drones to create 3D renderings of the crater, which researchers will use to measure the circumference of the lava lake and predict eruptions.

For people like Cossman who have dangerous day jobs, it’s more than just the adrenaline rush that keeps them in business — it’s the feeling of completing something important, despite the high odds of getting hurt and the close calls.

Cossman’s risky exploits started in early childhood when he and his twin sister started building rafts during floods at home in Georgia in the US. The pair used them to sail down the river that had formed in their backyard.

These days, instead of navigating floods he dreams up adventures like base-jumping 365 metres into the Cave of Swallows, an open-air pit in the middle of the jungle in Mexico. He wants to turn the cave into a living laboratory, studying its topography and the species that dwell within it. To pay for such expeditions, Cossman secures corporate sponsorship, particularly from technology brands.

"I’m not an adrenaline junkie because I don’t like getting close to death just for the heck of it,” Cossman said. "It’s about sharing it with other people hoping these places inspire them to pursue their passions and express creativity.”

Scroll through the images above to meet three more people who have death defying day jobs.

(BBC)