Close Call

[Whitey]

In this case the kite did not have any left in it and is was sinking. He actually tied it around his waist so he would not loose it. If your kite has any air in it absolulty stay with it. Once it is sinking out it's time to swim. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you are off shore and in this situation you can pull off the rubber tube and inflate the struts with your mouth and pinch them off and create floatation for your self with the good struts.

Kent I read an article written by the kite designer at Ozone and he insists that keeping the struts independent from the leading edge has performance benefits by not letting the air pressure transfer from the struts on the side of the kite under turning pressure to the main bladder. Which is why he refused to put a single point inflation system on their high end kite the Edge. I don't know if it's for real, but I can't think of a down side to pinching them off, other than the 30 seconds of time it takes.

[uchuche]

Also, the board floats, you can blow air into the dump valve just to keep it boyant, you can go under and blow an air pocket under the canopy. As Whitey mentioned you could pull a bladder. You can blow air into your wetsuit. In military school we were taught to remove our long pants, tie the legs closed and blow air into them to stay afloat... same idea with the kite. Get air in it just about anywhere and trap the bubble.

I know of more than one person who left the boat, and swam for it, and almost drown in the process. The coast guard and police never saw them.. just kept flying by while the guy was getting too tired to swim any longer.

Had it happen myself once... went down at dusk and swam for it. The police boat almost ran me over 4 times even though I was waving my arms, they didn't even see me. I actually grabbed the swim ladder BEFORE they ever saw me. They went straight to the kite and I was not there. Will never leave the kite again.

There is a STRONG urge to swim for it. I highly recommend not doing that unless you know you are near a sand bar, and can make it there, etc.

Regardless good job guys for helping a fellow kiter.

[Kiteboarding Tampa Bay]

We all get a little lazy when it comes to pinching of our struts, kiting in knee deep water most of the time doesn't help.
One thing I do in my lessons is to show three methods of self rescue.
Standard- grabbing the bridle line and a wingtip. Each kite has different grab points, but generally its where you connect your front flying line on a bridled kite. Longer bridles sometimes requires grabbing it at the first "V" in the bridle system.

Raft Method- Assuming you pinched off the struts before your kite deflated, roll the kite into a raft and secure with lines, leash or whatever you have. This works in offshore winds.

Offshore/ Upwind method- If kite is not deflated, climb onto kite and extend legs down center strut. You can hang upper body over leading edge and overhand swim back upwind to your board, or back to shore in offshore conditions. This method works great and keeps you more visible to rescue vessels.
There are pics and detailed explanation on my lesson site at:
http://kiteboardingtampabay.com/inde...111&Itemid=101

Within the next month, we plan a cookout, cleanup, and safety clinic at East Beach and I will be happy to show these techniques. This will also allow kiters as a group to log some service hours at the park. Little things like this is what makes the best impression on park officials, and they are surely grateful for the help.
See ya then!
www.kiteboardingtampabay.com

[Mike T]

Good job guys and very good information that's for sure. Having been the Rescuee USCG it's much harder to find a person in the water than a large object. From the air a human head is like finding a Basketball on a large body of water. Staying with the kite is the best option because you can see that from the air and as uchuche points out all is so very true. I agree with all that if you can isolate each bladder so at least they all don't deflate the better off you are. I would also keep the board close by at least with that you can wave it around and use it to signal someone. I wouldn't tie the kite to me but tie it to the board and then try to blow up the smallest bladders first to try to get some floatation. One other thing that might be good is carry a whistle so if you do get into a situation you can signal someone they are small and they make alot of noise the small orange ones are great because it's all plastic and the ball is plastic or cork so no real maintenace. I think the key thing in this situation was everyone looking out for each other and that is commendable too all involved. Well done indeed! Warm Winds! Never leave the boat Chief! Mike