Kiteboarder Assessment & RescueKiteboarder Assessment & Rescue

Presented toPresented to

United States Lifesaving AssociationUnited States Lifesaving AssociationEducational ConferenceEducational Conference

Cocoa Beach, FL Cocoa Beach, FL

November 7, 2008November 7, 2008

WarningWarning

This PowerPoint presentation is This PowerPoint presentation is notnot an an acceptable substitute for proper training in acceptable substitute for proper training in kiteboarder rescue.kiteboarder rescue.

It is provided for general informational It is provided for general informational purposes only.purposes only.

Secure proper training in appropriate Secure proper training in appropriate procedures and precautions before procedures and precautions before undertaking kiteboarder rescue.undertaking kiteboarder rescue.

Kiteboarding Kiteboarding IntroductionIntroduction

Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing extreme Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world today.sports in the world today.

Right now there are approximately 120,000 Right now there are approximately 120,000 Kiteboarders in the world, and growing every day.Kiteboarders in the world, and growing every day.

Most schools and communities of Kiteboarders are Most schools and communities of Kiteboarders are extremely willing to work with you. If there is not a extremely willing to work with you. If there is not a school there is normally a community leader who school there is normally a community leader who

can be approached.can be approached.The main causes of injuries are bad weather and poor The main causes of injuries are bad weather and poor

decisions involving lack of experience/formal decisions involving lack of experience/formal training of the Kiteboarder.training of the Kiteboarder.

Identifying the problemIdentifying the problem

Crashed Kiteboarder RetrievalCrashed Kiteboarder Retrieval

RecognitionRecognition

Binoculars:Binoculars: Distant kiter may be difficult to see Distant kiter may be difficult to see

particularly in wavesparticularly in waves Watch for body Watch for body

movement/languagemovement/language Kiters move slowly and take time to Kiters move slowly and take time to

relaunch or setup to self-rescuerelaunch or setup to self-rescue Swimming or using kite to move, Swimming or using kite to move,

with no board in a controlled with no board in a controlled mannermanner

Winding up the lines (while in the Winding up the lines (while in the water)water)

Self Rescue- Kiteoarder uses the Self Rescue- Kiteoarder uses the kite to drag him/herself to safety, kite to drag him/herself to safety, slowlyslowly

All of these are signs that the All of these are signs that the boarder should be OKboarder should be OK

Identifying the problemIdentifying the problem

Crashed kiteboarder retrievalCrashed kiteboarder retrievalDistressed KiteboarderDistressed Kiteboarder

Lack of movement- Floating face down, not attempting to Lack of movement- Floating face down, not attempting to make any progressmake any progress

Prolonged erratic movement, not achieving any progressProlonged erratic movement, not achieving any progress Waving arms for help, exhausted and/or panickedWaving arms for help, exhausted and/or panicked Kiter dragged off or parallel to shore or overwhelmed by Kiter dragged off or parallel to shore or overwhelmed by

conditions (wind, waves, current, temp.)conditions (wind, waves, current, temp.) Sunset is approaching or weather is deteriorating Sunset is approaching or weather is deteriorating

Kiteboarder RescueKiteboarder Rescue

ApproachApproach Approach the kite from Approach the kite from

upwind position (NEVER upwind position (NEVER down wind, staying clear of down wind, staying clear of all the lines)all the lines)

Kite HandlingKite Handling Always FIRMLY grab the kite Always FIRMLY grab the kite

by the front inflated edge, by the front inflated edge, preferably at the centerpreferably at the center

Never grab a line of the kite Never grab a line of the kite (it could cut through a limb)(it could cut through a limb)

Kiteboarder RescueKiteboarder RescueSecuring the KiteSecuring the Kite

On LandOn Land

From holding the leading edge flip the kite From holding the leading edge flip the kite face down on the sand, leading edge pointing face down on the sand, leading edge pointing into the wind and placing approximately 20 into the wind and placing approximately 20 lbs. of sand just behind the leading edge.lbs. of sand just behind the leading edge.

Kiteboarder RescueKiteboarder Rescue

Securing the kiteSecuring the kiteOn the waterOn the water Pull deflation valve on the Pull deflation valve on the

center of kite’s leading center of kite’s leading edge edge

Watch out for line tanglesWatch out for line tangles

Kiteboarder RescueKiteboarder RescueQuick Releases & Disabled kitesQuick Releases & Disabled kites

Releasing the kite from the personReleasing the kite from the person

Quick Releases:Quick Releases:

1. Harness to the Chicken Loop1. Harness to the Chicken Loop 2. Releasing the person from the kite 2. Releasing the person from the kite

leashleash 3. Watch out for line tangles3. Watch out for line tangles

Video – Releasing the KiteVideo – Releasing the Kite(Click lower left corner of photo)(Click lower left corner of photo)

Run Away KitesRun Away Kites

Causes:Causes: Rider accidentally releases itRider accidentally releases it Rider needs to release the kiteRider needs to release the kite

Identifying:Identifying: Loose kite flying, through the air, across Loose kite flying, through the air, across

the water or tumbling downwind on the the water or tumbling downwind on the beachbeach

Kite may gain speed once on landKite may gain speed once on land

Containing a Run Away KiteContaining a Run Away Kite

Actions:Actions: Position yourself directly downwind of the kitePosition yourself directly downwind of the kite Clear the area of swimmers and sunbathersClear the area of swimmers and sunbathers Wait for the kite to come to you at the waters edge. Wait for the kite to come to you at the waters edge. Do not allow it to blow on to the beach and gain speed.Do not allow it to blow on to the beach and gain speed. Grab kite near the center of the front leading edge onlyGrab kite near the center of the front leading edge only Do not grab any lines or bar to avoid cutsDo not grab any lines or bar to avoid cuts Secure the kite (as previously shown)Secure the kite (as previously shown)

Video - Intercepting Runaway KitesVideo - Intercepting Runaway Kites(Click lower left corner of photo)(Click lower left corner of photo)

Assisting in the Landing of a KiteAssisting in the Landing of a Kite

Look for universal “landing” signLook for universal “landing” sign Or, Kiteboarder may be on beach looking Or, Kiteboarder may be on beach looking

around while kite is up in the airaround while kite is up in the air Firmly grab the kite by the leading edge Firmly grab the kite by the leading edge

and secureand secure

Video - Helping To Land A KiteVideo - Helping To Land A Kite(Click lower left corner of photo)(Click lower left corner of photo)

Personal Rescue CraftPersonal Rescue Craft (PRC)(PRC)

Approach the Kiteboarder from up windApproach the Kiteboarder from up wind Avoid visible and submerged kite line that can foul Avoid visible and submerged kite line that can foul

propeller or PWC intakepropeller or PWC intake Identify the problem: Identify the problem:

- IMMEDIATE RESCUE if kiter unconscious, exhausted - IMMEDIATE RESCUE if kiter unconscious, exhausted panickedpanicked

Immediate RescueImmediate Rescue Release person from the kite & kite leash via two quick Release person from the kite & kite leash via two quick

releases (Pull Red knobs) or cut all lines to the kitereleases (Pull Red knobs) or cut all lines to the kite Watch for line tangles, both kiter and rescuer, be ready Watch for line tangles, both kiter and rescuer, be ready

to cut free as neededto cut free as needed If feasible recover kite laterIf feasible recover kite later

Personal Rescue CraftPersonal Rescue Craft

Assist securing kiteAssist securing kite

Approach leading edge of kite from windward at 45 Approach leading edge of kite from windward at 45 degree angle avoiding all kite lines.degree angle avoiding all kite lines.

Grab kite’s leading edge and deflateGrab kite’s leading edge and deflate Once the plug is pulled return to the Kiteboarder Once the plug is pulled return to the Kiteboarder

with the deflated kite on a semi circle and assistwith the deflated kite on a semi circle and assist When assisting a kiter with a PRC two rescuers When assisting a kiter with a PRC two rescuers

should do this job.should do this job.

Be ready at all times to kill the engine!Be ready at all times to kill the engine!

1. Approach Kiter1. Approach Kiter

2. Approach Kite2. Approach Kite

3. Recover Kite3. Recover Kite

4. Return to Kiter4. Return to Kiter

5. Recover Kiter5. Recover Kiter

PRC Kiteboarder RescuePRC Kiteboarder Rescue(Overall View)(Overall View)

Common things not to do!Common things not to do!

Never grab the bar or lines of a runaway kiteNever grab the bar or lines of a runaway kite Do not hold the kite by trailing edgeDo not hold the kite by trailing edge When assisting an injured Kiteboarder on land When assisting an injured Kiteboarder on land

make sure he is disconnected entirely from his make sure he is disconnected entirely from his kite and away from all lineskite and away from all lines

If a Kiteboarder is flying thru the air DO NOT If a Kiteboarder is flying thru the air DO NOT grab the persongrab the person

Always be aware of where the lines are!!!Always be aware of where the lines are!!!

Thank you!Thank you!

Presentation prepared by:Presentation prepared by: Gio Serrano, Safety & Rescue Training, LLC Gio Serrano, Safety & Rescue Training, LLC - www.safetyrescuetraining.com- www.safetyrescuetraining.com

Neil Hutchinson, Tiki Beach Watersports - tikibeacheast.comNeil Hutchinson, Tiki Beach Watersports - tikibeacheast.com Rick Iossi, Florida Kitesurfing Association, Inc. - fksa.orgRick Iossi, Florida Kitesurfing Association, Inc. - fksa.org

Special Thanks to Evan and Helga for assisting in the shooting.Special Thanks to Evan and Helga for assisting in the shooting.