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Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 1:11 am
by Guest
There were at least 3 reason which lead to this accident:

1. no safety leash was used
2. no quick relaese was used
3. the comp area wasn't suitable

All 3 points are very tragic.

1. The rider who had to let go of the bar is absolutely destroyed and helpless.

2. Silke would had have a better chance with a quick release, since I have been told that she had some time before hitting the wood and she tride to unhook.

3. The organiser of the event is destroyed as well and there is nothing he can do now as well.


What will be the consequences of this accident?

I would like anyone to comment this.

here mine:

-no more handlepasses anywhere
they should be lead to disqualification.

-always a safety leash

-quick releases on any bar sold

-bigger comp areas with no hard objects in the way and no onshore winds

-this sentence from Rick goes around in my head all day:
"distance is your friend"

more comments welcome

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 8:48 am
by Juergen
I completely agree to your suggestions and would like to add that quick releases are offered in various sizes in any sailors store as THEY`RE ONLY NEW TO KITING !!!
Kite industry seemingly doesn´t accept them as chinese sewers can´t produce them for 5 pennies. It´s all available in supplying market and a real shame that a product worth 1000$ up carries absolutely senseless high-tech-carbon-tips, but a so calles safety devices out of rope-rests.

Kiteboarding Associations should immediately
force any Pros to carry both safety devices in contests. Why should we wait for those you banned them to clear their brain ? It´s style that ruled Pro´s safety discussion so far ..

aloha

Jürgen

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 11:53 am
by Guest
This is a thread I copied from the yahoo newsgroup:

All Riders should bear in mind the consequences of detaching safety devices!

Have you seen a Formula1 driver wearing no helmet? Anybody seen cars without brakes? This is criminal.

I agree to the above suggestions: Disqualifications for anybody not using saftey leashs and quick releases.


yahoo:
"For those who don't seem to care enough about others to wear a
kite leash, maybe you will be motivated to hang on to your own
freedom, money and possessions. In a US court of law, not wearing a
kite leash is flat out gross negligence. The kite manufacturer
provides a means to safely depower the kite in an emergency
situation, but you removed it, or are not wearing it? That equals
gross negligence, and you will be liable monetarily for damages, and
medical bills. Worse yet you could even be convicted of
manslaughter if you kill someone with your kite as a result of not
wearing the provided kite leash. A manslaughter conviction could
mean years in jail. Think about it. If you use the kite
manufacturers leash system, and it fails even though you have taken
proper care of it, then responsibility is on the manufacturer not
you. Sometimes people just don't realize the consequences involved
for not taking care of others. Thinking it can't happen to you is a
sure sign of immaturity. Even the best kiteboarders can have a laps
in judgement, or equipment failure. The life you save may be your
own!"

If this applies to German law as well, everybody can imagine the consequences for the one who let go and for all of you not wearing safety leashs. You are a potential danger for others.

SAFETY RULES! Everything else is not stylish but uncool!

Tim

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 12:07 pm
by Guest
This is a thread I copied from the yahoo newsgroup:

All Riders should bear in mind the consequences of detaching safety devices!

Have you seen a Formula1 driver wearing no helmet? Anybody seen cars without brakes? This is criminal.

I agree to the above suggestions: Disqualifications for anybody not using saftey leashs and quick releases.


yahoo:
"For those who don't seem to care enough about others to wear a
kite leash, maybe you will be motivated to hang on to your own
freedom, money and possessions. In a US court of law, not wearing a
kite leash is flat out gross negligence. The kite manufacturer
provides a means to safely depower the kite in an emergency
situation, but you removed it, or are not wearing it? That equals
gross negligence, and you will be liable monetarily for damages, and
medical bills. Worse yet you could even be convicted of
manslaughter if you kill someone with your kite as a result of not
wearing the provided kite leash. A manslaughter conviction could
mean years in jail. Think about it. If you use the kite
manufacturers leash system, and it fails even though you have taken
proper care of it, then responsibility is on the manufacturer not
you. Sometimes people just don't realize the consequences involved
for not taking care of others. Thinking it can't happen to you is a
sure sign of immaturity. Even the best kiteboarders can have a laps
in judgement, or equipment failure. The life you save may be your
own!"

If this applies to German law as well, everybody can imagine the consequences for the one who let go and for all of you not wearing safety leashs. You are a potential danger for others.

SAFETY RULES! Everything else is not stylish but uncool!

Tim

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 12:31 pm
by RickI
Excellent points and summary. I strongly support your conclusions for future competitions. I particularly agree regarding mandatory leash use, safety releases and careful event location to maximize both competitor and spectator safety. We need to be cautious and methodical in planning events. Pro competitors make mistakes, especially in the heat of competition. They shouldn't be expected to deal with everything flawlessly. I would add the following to the list:

1. Competition organizers should have a full time safety coordinator that understands the sport and safety very well. This person should prepare a safety plan for the event and hold all safety briefings with event staff and competitors. There should also be ADEQUATE, recognizable staff (red tee shirts or something visible), to be on the beach to help out during launch, landing and in emergencies.

2. They should have one or preferably more safety boats out side and close to the performance area. It would be great to have off duty rescue personel to man these boats that also kiteboard if possible. Failing that, the second person in the boats needs to be thoroughly familar with kiteboarder rescue and be equiped with cut resistant gloves and appropriate knife(s).

3. They should have an EMT on standby throughout the competition.

4. Have a well located, fenced off and security controlled launch and landing compound of sufficient size for the number of competitors. Keep bathers well out of the way to either side of the fenced area and competition area.

5. Safety provisions should be continuously reevaluated and modified throughout the competition as necessary. If changing conditions develop that reduce safety, i.e. pending squalls or other excessive risks the coordinator should be prepared to put the competition on hold until safe conditions resume.

Other considerations apply but this is a start. These competitions are worthwhile and should be held and it is important to note that accidents have happened at most other types of sporting events. We just need to learn, make some significant changes in safety requirements and effectively react to the lessons of this sad accident in the planning of future events.

Rick Iossi

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 4:20 pm
by Toby
all excellent points, thank you both Tim and Rick for your suggestions.

Rick, can you make sure that all these information will be passed on to the associations you are connected with?

Thx, Toby

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2002 6:09 pm
by Juergen
Rick, Toby, Tim - could you provide us with links to all associations concerned, so that all contributors to this forum can send appeals for immediate safety regulations ?

thanks !

Jürgen

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2002 2:47 am
by RickI
I have posted both messages to the FKA and to the industry. I am still working on content for the AKA website section that deals with organizing competitions. This information and more will definitely appear there.

I think that we need to overcome the common state of denial that is so abundant out there. This is a potentially dangerous sport and it involves a great deal more that flying a large toy kite. The amount of knowledge required to kiteboard safely in varying conditions is extensive. If safety gear improves substantially this may change but for the foreseeable future, it is a given that safe kiteboarding involves a lot of knowledge, good judgement and use of safety gear.

Someone could be flying aerobatic manuvers after a couple of flights in a stunt airplane. Landing, launching and dealing with emergencies take much more training and experience. Safe kiteboarding is like that, whether riders realize it or not. Things have been set in motion, lets keep the improvements in techniques and safety gear coming.

Links to Other Kitesurfing Organizations
In the USA:

American Kiteflyers Association
http://www.aka.kite.org/

California Kitesurfing Association (CKA)
http://calkite.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CKA

Central Coast Kiteboarding Association (California)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CCKA

cgkite - Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cgkite/

Florida Kitesurfing Association (FKA)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FKSA

Hawaii Kiteboarding Association (HKA)
http://www.hawaiikiteboardingassociation.org/

Maui Kiteboarding Association (MKA)
http://www.maui.net/~hotwind/mka.html

Oahu Kiteboarding Association (OKA)
http://www.oahukiteboardingassociation.org/

Professional Air Sports Association
http://www.professionalairsports.org/clubs.html

San Diego Kiteboarding Association (SDKA)
http://www.sdka.org/

Seattle Kitesurfing Association
http://www.seattlekitesurfing.org/

SoCal KiteBoarding Association (SCKA)
http://www.SCKA.org

Seattle Kitesurfing Association
http://www.seattlekitesurfing.org/index.htm

International Kitesurfing Associations:

Australian Kitesurfing Association (AKSA)
http://www.aksa.com.au/

British Kitesurfing Association (BKSA)
http://www.kitesurfing.org/

German Kitesurf Association
http://www.kitesurf-association.de/

St Martin Kitesurfing Association
http://windadventures.free.fr/kitesurfing/

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2002 5:09 am
by francky
i'm supprise that nobody mention that the wind was very strong . I think that kiting in winds over 30 knots should be banned .

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2002 6:57 am
by Björn
I feel sorry for the family and everyone involved. Also the poor guy that now some people seem to blame for the accident.
It was a terrible accident and it could happen to everyone of us.
Pls do not take this disscusion to far. We should pray for Sikle and also put pressure on the Kiting industry to deliver systems that do not need a victim to prove that it is not save how it is right now!
Some people think, that a bar like the new Solid bar is safe, but what if you release the chicken loop with the quick release an the harness loop is still in the hook? You should be able to release it all and get rid of the whole think in worst case.

I pray for Silke and also for the guy that did let go of the bar - How must he feel now? Did someone think about him too?