Helicopter pickup at Sherman Island

[kitenaked]

Loop was released, but still on his spreader bar...not sure of the board leash and what was happening there. Dont know if board went with him in the air.

Yes very sobering...good idea Yuri...Nukin or Not.

He had helmet and impact vest. Launched from the beach, over the north group of willows and into a sand berm... at least this is what I understand that happened. 30-50 yards or so from beach.

Lots of bad "juju" lately in the kite scene.

[Greg]

it is unlikely for anyone especially a beginner to hold onto to that much grunt without letting go completely.

I hate to say it but this is false. Once a person gets a moment of fear there grip gets really tight, releasing after that first moment may NOT seem like a good option then...
I know this: I was lofted in Alameda playing with a pulley bar.. When the poop hits the fan, (looping kite, etc) one second is about your time limit to avoid take-off..

I hope he makes a full recovery,
Greg

[kitenaked]

Yes, tight grip goes with fear...

[jono]

I was going out on a 9m just before this guy came in. I was totally SUPER lit. The wind came up steadily, @ 4pm it was 20, @ 6pm it was 30, gusting to 34+. I didn't see it happen and wasn't there afterward, but I have a couple small suggestions that have worked for me when shit goes haywire.

* Whenever you land your kite and the person landing puts it down, don't just unhook, punch out so your mind knows the drill when you get into trouble. Muscle memory is what it's all about.

* DEPOWER your kite when you come into the beach with the DEPOWER strap -- don't just push the bar away. Pull that strap all the way in (but make sure it doesn't hindenberg). As Ollie always says, most accidents happen on land, I jump and crash a lot on the water and would be messed up if that was on land.

* If anything interferes with your bar, safety, chicken loop, etc. (like a board strap that from witnesses may have been hooked on the CL), fix it RIGHT NOW. Don't wait, things can change fast.

* DO NOT DISRESPECT the power of these kites. Do not become complacent, even at your local spot, doing your normal thing.

Gripping the bar in an emergency is an instinctual reaction -- people either do it or they don't. I'm not even sure it can be trained out of everyone. Don Bogardus taught me to hit the release with both hands, that way you aren't holding the bar when it releases -- good tip that I don't do enough now.

If super overpowered and not sure you can remain grounded on the beach, it seems like it might be a good plan to punch out in front of the beach and drift/self-rescue into it the beach.

While they are trying to help one of us, it SUCKS to see that chopper coming in when you are at Sherman. Everyone at Sherman was shocked by the accident.

The dude is not ok. Again from the people who went over the help, he had a compound fracture of the leg, facial injuries/fractures, was unconscious and not coherent even after the chopper got him, was not breathing well when they first arrived -- really not in good shape.

If anyone gets a report on this dude's status, post an update.

[windhorny]

I would agree that fear leads to clutching for dear life but what I meant was that most of us wouldnt be ABLE to hold on to a fully powered kite like a 12 in 35+ during an explosive yank. Then again, maybe.

[Greg]

Yes I heard today that he was unconscious for about 20 minutes..
Very sad to think that session probably ended that mans kiting future, thankfully it didn't end his life!
Greg

[kitecrazy]

Thank you all for the first hand stories and input on conditions.

[KirkTalon]

Are all kiters at Sherman aware that I have left a very substantial First Aid Kit at Indian Bob's trailer and that there is a backboard in the bathroom by their trailer.

Hate to be the dick, but I have to say that in the last 2 years that I have with support from BAK and Kite Wind Surf offered free first aid and CPR classes we have had little if any participation from the Sherman crew. All people attending classes were mostly from the Bay area. I have offered to do a second class in the Sac Valley but have not had enough interest to make the expenditure in time and money worth it.

Be aware that handling an injured person the wrong way can make their injuries and long term disability worse.

I will be making the offer again once the season winds down.

I hope the brother comes out of this ok...

Kirk

[Czech]

Kirk, count me in for the class, hopefully its before September as I am leaving for a while after the 4th.

[jono]

Marujo:

Thanks for dropping the gear out there, I heard about it and knew it was there.

From what I understand there was a Dr. (or Nurse) on the scene right after it happened (was a kiter, or a windsurfer), there is a sheriff who kites out there often, I think most of us know where to go (Indian Bob) during an emergency and I think it's well known there is a backboard in the 2 bedroom condo.

There is also an emergency number (is it the Salano County Sheriff?) posted in the condo that is suggested over/with 911.

This dude was not going anywhere without EMTs present since it was so serious. The backboard was used recently when Brian trashed his knee.

I think most kiters at Sherman aren't from SAC (some are near there), but they come from all over.

Lot's of the "sherman people" are from the bay area and just decide to drive out there for the freestyle, chill vibe, SSC, etc. So, I wouldn't take a lack of participation as a lack of respecting your skills and offer, I think it's just a lack of kiter population density outside the bay area proper.

SAC crew would kite Folsom lake on a N wind, how many do you see out there ;)? Keep up the classes!