Question: Student Med Exam, Instructor Training?

[ricki]

I wanted to present two questions to the Forum:

1. Do you feel a medical fitness exam prior to a student undertaking formal kiteboarding training is a prudent step? If so, what components do you feel such an exam should entail?*

2. What minimum medical related training do you feel it would be appropriate for kiteboarding instructors to receive such as first aid, CPR or ?**

There is a long precident in other sports and activities for such exams and instructor training. The findings of this discussion could be forwarded to training organizations.

* Some requirements related to SCUBA diving appear at:
http://www.scuba-doc.com/medexam.htm
http://www.ecdivers.com/forms/medicalstatement.pdf
http://www.hawaii.edu/ehso/diving/MEDEX03.pdf

** Some instructor certification requirements related to SCUBA diving appear at:
http://www.naui.org/training/instructor.html

A recent discussion regarding the "usefulness" of CPR training was started on kiteforum at:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2317898
What views does the Forum have in this regard?

[ricki]

I wanted to present two questions to the Forum:

1. Do you feel a medical fitness exam prior to a student undertaking formal kiteboarding training is a prudent step? If so, what components do you feel such an exam should entail?*

2. What minimum medical related training do you feel it would be appropriate for kiteboarding instructors to receive such as first aid, CPR or ?**

There is a long precident in other sports and activities for such exams and instructor training. The findings of this discussion could be forwarded to training organizations.

* Some requirements related to SCUBA diving appear at:
http://www.scuba-doc.com/medexam.htm
http://www.ecdivers.com/forms/medicalstatement.pdf
http://www.hawaii.edu/ehso/diving/MEDEX03.pdf

** Some instructor certification requirements related to SCUBA diving appear at:
http://www.naui.org/training/instructor.html

A recent discussion regarding the "usefulness" of CPR training was started on kiteforum at:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2317898
What views does the Forum have in this regard?

[Slyde]

Rick, when I took lessons the instructor got me to sign a disclaimer beforehand. This stated that I understood that there are risks to the sport and that I took responsibility for my own level of fitness. The instructor gave me adequate and good safety advice before we ever pumped up a kite. I think fitness is a personal responsibility and not the instructor's responsibility. Ditto for Skiing, bungy jumping etc etc.

Basic CPR should be a requisite for all sports instructors who are teaching allcomers in potentially harmful sports. I'm surprised it isnt an IKO requisite already. I dont expect the public to know CPR. There are usually enough people around who have some basic skills to help and the guidelines change often. The kiteforum thread covers the relevant issues well especially the paramedic's viewpoint.
Slyde

[Slyde]

Rick, when I took lessons the instructor got me to sign a disclaimer beforehand. This stated that I understood that there are risks to the sport and that I took responsibility for my own level of fitness. The instructor gave me adequate and good safety advice before we ever pumped up a kite. I think fitness is a personal responsibility and not the instructor's responsibility. Ditto for Skiing, bungy jumping etc etc.

Basic CPR should be a requisite for all sports instructors who are teaching allcomers in potentially harmful sports. I'm surprised it isnt an IKO requisite already. I dont expect the public to know CPR. There are usually enough people around who have some basic skills to help and the guidelines change often. The kiteforum thread covers the relevant issues well especially the paramedic's viewpoint.
Slyde

[spidermedic]

I agree that the instructor should be responsible for informing the student about the rigors, but the rest is up to them.

I would think that something closer to lifeguard training would be appropriate for instructors. CPR and basic first aid is great, but not much use if you can't get the person out the water.

It seems to me that rescue of a kiter would almost warrant its own speciality.

[spidermedic]

I agree that the instructor should be responsible for informing the student about the rigors, but the rest is up to them.

I would think that something closer to lifeguard training would be appropriate for instructors. CPR and basic first aid is great, but not much use if you can't get the person out the water.

It seems to me that rescue of a kiter would almost warrant its own speciality.