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Old 03-15-2007, 09:46 PM
toledoian toledoian is offline
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Default Safety

I recently had a kitmare which was not bad but enough to make me re-respect the kite and its power. I do have a couple of questions. I am considering aquires an impact vest and helment but I do not see many people if any wearing them. Is it a good idea pros cons? a

Also My question is a wose case scenario if my kite lines get so entagles that the kite will consistantly try relaunching will the safety leash if activated depower the kite? Thank you in advance for any advice?
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Old 03-27-2007, 05:34 PM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toledoian View Post
I recently had a kitmare which was not bad but enough to make me re-respect the kite and its power. I do have a couple of questions. I am considering aquires an impact vest and helment but I do not see many people if any wearing them. Is it a good idea pros cons? a

Also My question is a wose case scenario if my kite lines get so entagles that the kite will consistantly try relaunching will the safety leash if activated depower the kite? Thank you in advance for any advice?

Excellent questions.

Wearing a good helmet and impact vest is an excellent idea in my opinion. There are quite a few people who have worn them through accidents and incidents who would support this conclusion. There are still others who by choosing not to wear helmets may have removed their option to choose in the future. No one used to wear football helmets (American football), that is until President Roosevelt almost banned the sport nationwide in 1906 due to excessive injuries and deaths. People need convincing. While they decide, decide what is best for you and your family by extension and act upon it. A recent article about helmets for kiting appears at: http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=3617 There are many other helmet references on this site.

Regarding your last question, the leash should depower your kite whether it is a C kite or Flat kite. The reality is however, IF THE LINES ARE TANGLED ENOUGH by spinning/tangling, or your bridels/pulleys are compromised or broken, THE LEASH MAY NOT DEPOWER THE KITE WHETHER IT IS A C OR FLAT KITE. I just saw a 2007 Fuel C kite spin and disable the leash this weekend. The kiter had lost his bar, I kited over and grabbed it. It was blowing pretty hard, I started to be slowly dragged so I grabbed on of the O'shit loops to activate that. The lines were wrapped to the point to where it didn't flag out and depower. The kiter that lost it came up as I was debating dropping it and took over.

Cases of failure of the total depowering of flat kites have happened as well. Just one case is explored at: http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=3350 Read this over.

In these cases your only option may be to activate the QR that is holding the leash to you and setting your kite free. IF YOU DON'T KNOW where it is or can't reach it in time, you may well mash in hard. We need to practice this stuff just in case.

1. So, avoid the emergency in the first place through knowledge, good judgment and technique.

2. If you are dropped into the emergency anyway, immediately totally depower your kite by appropriate means (which may differ for C vs. flat kites). KNOW what works with your kite and practice it.

3. If your kite fails to depower, be ready to set it free. If you do this you may threaten other kiters and bystanders downwind so it is nothing to undertake lightly.
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Last edited by ricki; 03-27-2007 at 08:21 PM.
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