Postby RickI » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:58 pm
Our fatality rate is fairly low, far lower than say perhaps paragliding or even driving in the USA per 100,000. Add to that with more knowledge and care many kiteboarding fatalities might have been avoided. For every fatality there are many more non-fatal accidents with similar causes and means of avoidance. This later point is a big reason why it is important for all kiters to understand what can go wrong and how to avoid it. Knowledge is power, in a very big way, IF you choose to use it.
Today, there are fewer severe loftings and related trauma than just a few years ago. This is related to technological developments but also better awareness. We never used to have quick releases and were stuck hooked in, then we had quick releases that might not work, today we have quick releases that seem to be a lot more reliable. Kite leashes rarely were used at one time, today they are far more common. Why is that, due to lack of communication and analysis?
There is formal accident tracking and analyses in many activities like hang gliding, paragliding, SCUBA diving, free diving, kayaking, sky diving, canyoning, rowing, many aspects and types of aviation, vessel operation of many descriptions, hockey, avalanches, fishing, base jumping, swimming, bicycling, competitive sports of numerous descriptions, indoor and outdoor climbing, horseback riding and yes, even skiing and snowboarding ... this could go on for a lot longer.
Accident tracking in kitesurfing started quite a few years ago, because it was needed and the right thing to do. There was some resistance to the idea but in time some of the most aggressive detractors in the industry started to support the concept. Resistance or not, if it is the right thing to do, then do it.
Last edited by
RickI on Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.