Kiteboarding Head Injury

[ricki]

I started looking for a general reference like this dealing the head injuries after a tragic accident in Mauritius several years ago. The vacationing Russian kiter suffered a board impact in squally weather due to the use of a board leash. He had a brain hemorrhage but didn't realize it as his life bled out. I really didn't find a good, concise reference from an authoritative source at the time. Nor did I realize the import of my head injury as I stomped around for hours for that matter however things turned out to be more benign in my case. The victim often is the last to know after all much less react responsibly. This post is more for bystanders of such accidents to serve as a guide. We really should think about this stuff as you never know when you might be on the scene of a head/cervical injury and in a position to help.

Greg had spoken about approaching the City regarding kiteboarding at east Smathers and some reforms some time back. I am not sure where those discussions are at this point. If the City supports kiteboarding as a concept and public pursuit, great. If not, such requests could bring undesirable attention. At the time I suggested some private discussions with authorities to evaluate likely responses prior to approaching City officials publically. A couple of the maker posts may go in time in this area. This will no doubt spare some kites and maybe even some acutely incautious kiters. This will still leave the rock groin and the sand beach. Most cases these sorts of injury among kiters involve impacts on land. The beach and jetty will remain dictating that afirmative moves will have to come from the kiters in the form of responsible, informed riding practices. Nothing new there.