[ricki]

Many questions about the cause of this loss still exist. Still, some points for consideration follow:

1. Kiters should be prepared to Emergency Depower the kite they are using without hesitation at all times. Riders have been lost or severely injured by waiting too long in the past.

2. Understand how your Emergency Depower works and practice both physically and mentally using it on a regular basis. Considering "what if" a few times in a session and physically touching your Quick Release in a effort to improve reaction time.

3. Emergency Depowering with "C" kites usually means opening the Quick Release and dropping the bar to activate the kite leash. With Flat, SLE or BOW kites it usually means pushing the bar all the way out or dropping the bar IF recommended by the manufacturer. Do proper preflighting and Preventive Maintenance to improve the odds of proper function.

4. Be prepared to set the kite entirely free by opening the Chicken Loop Quick Release. By doing this you may be placing others downwind at risk. Work hard to avoid such extreme emergencies and pick your riding area carefully.

5. Kiters need to avoid line tangles at all costs. Tangles can impair or even defeat Emergency Depowering and even efforts to set the kite completely free. Tangles may arise from many causes with the most common being while the kite is on the water. It is also possible to be "showered" by falling line if the kite stalls overhead. Take pains to avoid these causes. Carrying hook knives may help with tangles and should be standard equipment for all kiteboarders.

6. Riding with people that are aware of you and keep an eye out is prudent for your welfare. Despite this, accidents have occurred and yet many others have been avoided or minimized.

7. Get into the habit of wearing reasonable safety gear whenever you kite including appropriate flotation or impact vest. You never know when it might make a critical difference although over time it is likely to make its value known, if you use it.