Page 2 of 2

Re: Ambulance at Alameda beach today

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:46 pm
by kitecrazy
If the primary safety features are utilized correctly, punching out will let the kite dangle by one line producing very little if any pull.
If the secondary safety features are required and utilized correctly, the kite will become completely detached from the kiter rendering the kiter kiteless but alive.

I have had to pull primary and secondary releases before. It's strange to stand up (unharmed) and watch your kite fly over the sherman island levee road and into the cow pasture. I suspect that strange observations are much better than trying to cut barbed wire with my lungs and lower intestine.

CHECK YOUR RELEASE MECHANISMS OFTEN!!!!!
Ice Cube said it best:
"Check yourself before you wreck yourself."
Make sure you know how to use the releases like its SECOND NATURE! PRACTICE!!!

It's windy...we should be kiting.

Re: Ambulance at Alameda beach today

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:35 pm
by Kevship
"superman style two hand vulcan death grip on the bar"

hahaha funniest. description. ever. :lol:

hope kiter recovers quick

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:30 pm
by jwest21
Absolutely check your safety mechanism, especially if it's mechanical and can get sand/corrosion going on in there. As suggested on here by Adam awhile back, I always take a moment to give a hard tug on my safety leash as well to verify it still holds tight in case I do need to punch out.

Also, surprisingly, I have not seen someone mention on this thread that you can save a lot of bad launches, where the kite drifts back and loses line tension, by taking a few steps back immediately to create tension.

Re:

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:54 pm
by shred_da_gorge
jwest21 wrote:Absolutely check your safety mechanism, especially if it's mechanical and can get sand/corrosion going on in there. As suggested on here by Adam awhile back, I always take a moment to give a hard tug on my safety leash as well to verify it still holds tight in case I do need to punch out.

Also, surprisingly, I have not seen someone mention on this thread that you can save a lot of bad launches, where the kite drifts back and loses line tension, by taking a few steps back immediately to create tension.
Good advice. Also wise to launch depowered, then power up once you get out on the water.

Re: Ambulance at Alameda beach today

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:40 pm
by reyrivera
Big Props to Alameda locals Facundo and Thompson for stabilizing the guy while the ambulance was on its way. It turned out that the guy did eject his safety while being dragged. What went wrong was he rigged too big for the conditions. People were coming in to rig down, while the guy ry trying to get his kite launched. The wind still picked up the kite and dragged him on the fence and bushes even though it was depowered.