The Safety Topic: please post your experience and advice!

[dwt]

QR doesn't work.

[saildawg]

AS already mentioned, check QR and safety leash function every time before you even inflate the kite. When's the last time you performed a self rescue? Amazing to me how many kiters do not have a clue how to. Good thing to practice with your gear on a low wind day when you want to play with your kite. Rinse and dry the QR components and your harness after use. A little sand can jam the QR, seen it happen and helped with the rescues. Sand can also jam the depower line(s) toggles/swivels.
Wind velocities change during the day but please don't leave your whole quiver inflated and cluttering the beach. Kite damage by UV, wind and curious bystanders can occur, your kite(s) could get lofted and blown into streets, traffic, powerlines, people etc.
When you land your kite roll up the lines, and place with the kite, protects the lines and makes for easier launch land for everyone else.

[tony montana]

Who designed this QR,Who tested this QR, RECALL,RECALL,RECALL, TONY

[ripper tom]

> 3:03

http://youtu.be/WaqXfSgz2WA

[juandesooka]

> 3:03

http://youtu.be/WaqXfSgz2WA

That video's all German to me, but that demonstration is pretty clear ... when it's hitting the fan, would sure suck to not have your QR work.

Another one of those safety systems you learn and forget about.....if your harness has a hook knife, do you know where it is? Can you reach it blind? Before heading out into a little hairier situation than I'm used to, my buddy ran through the safety systems including hook knife ... and hate to admit, I couldn't find it (it's placement is quite awkward to reach even when you know where it is). For this to be a good safety, I figure you have to be familiar enough with it to be able to pull it while being dragged underwater at 20mph.

So for a really great simulation, you can get dragged behind a boat tied on with line, to see if you can cut yourself loose.

[KiteloopKip]

Dont Ever Kite alone. This is when all my bad accidents have happened. When you are launching off the beach, especially on windy days check your lines twice to make sure they are not snagged on anything otherwise you kite will loop and send you flying.

[easy2e]

[mr moon]

Dont Ever Kite alone. This is when all my bad accidents have happened. When you are launching off the beach, especially on windy days check your lines twice to make sure they are not snagged on anything otherwise you kite will loop and send you flying.

this is an absolute must... I was rescued by others during my nasty accident last year. Big conditions + bad luck (it might be rare but it happens...) = biG SHit!

I would like to add:
ALWAYS BRING A GOOD RESCUE KNIFE
NEVER CLIP YOUR LEASH TO THE BACK OF YOUR HARNESS
ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET (DON'T WORRY TO LOOK LIKE A BEGINNER... YOU CAN SHOW OTHERWISE WHEN ON WATER )

[karenkites]

My advice is to take plenty of lessons as many as you can afford and then some more, with a quality instructor, you will avoid many problems and when you do encounter a problem you will be better equipped to handle it.
As owner of Northshore Kite and Sail Repair, I can tell you, I've seen alot

[The Captain]

Prior to launching, every time, do a mental checklist, and move your hands to;
QR
LEASH RELEASE
KNIFE
But your brain in the 'what if' state, ready with muscle memory, then you are ready to act if required.

Accidents are always a complete surprise!