Two scenarios came up recently that made me think a thread dedicated to self rescue and safety tips could benefit other riders.

Here's two from me:

1) If you have to deflate wing to paddle to shore (strong off shore conditions), leave the boom strut inflated and roll your wing up and secure with a leash. If you deflate entire wing, it will sink. On runs where this risk is high, I bring a small strap in case I have to do this.

2) Buy and learn how to use a tourniquet. A good friend had a close call two weeks ago. We're all figuring out ways to connect these to our regular set up from here out.

3) Carry a whistle and cell phone when down winding plus let others know when you're supposed to arrive and your route.

What tips do others have???

This major bleed from lower limb needs to be known by everyone in our sports..unfortunately it lost traction a few years ago

a tourniquet is of some use but just knowing where to push for an artery is of great value

New technique to save shark attack victims involves pushing hard 'between the hips and the bits' - ABC News

Oh it doesn't like links today...?

While buying a tourniquet is nice, better is learning how to improvise one. Most of our kits have tourniquet's built into them and need very minimal additions.

The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

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pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

This. The rays of the Sun will do more damage than sharks and foils.

A bungee leash will make an excellent tourniquet with the addition of anything to tension it including reverse tension. Keep in mind our bleeds have the potential to be fairly significant but not gunshot/explosion significant unless a shark is involved.

A bit of a fatalist wear no safety gear. What will be will be. If I cannot swim out of it I should not be out there. Leash is a good tourniquet and ditch gear if it weighs you down.

#1 is ride with people and keep an eye on each other. The best thing for wing safety is that most of us are former kiters and we inherited the safety mindset from the much sketchier sport(kites are scary and thing go wrong dramatically). Ride with others and take the lead on being a good buddy. You see something go wrong and a wing go down and not pop back up, even if your bro is sitting there and seems fine keep a close eye and if you have any doubt get on station quickly to confirm verbally. Give others the backup you want to receive.

I'd say the #2 thing you can do for safety is be friends with and ride with the Kiters. There is no better rescue vehicle in rough weather than a kite and I'd take being dragged in by a good kiter over a ride on the back of a jet ski sled being driven by a random first responder(with almost 0 water-sports background in my experience). Honestly, a fellow winger is pretty useless in an
emergency but you can grab the back of a
kiters Harness and be towed in at rescue speeds.(for a real life example this is what saved Nevin Sayre recently)

#3 is ride strapped in heavy conditions. For me strapped absolutely eliminates adverse board and foil contact and I can almost always muscle the board back into a controlled posture no matter how I go down. I realize a smaller strapped board is harder for the self rescue aspect if the wind dies and goes offshore but at my local we get super consistent sideshores and have miles of flat hard sandy beach downwind of our launch so self rescue is not a big factor for us

Kites are legendary for rescue ability. I felt like a god when I kited. As a winger, supfoiler, parawinger, I feel utterly useless when things go wrong. Essentially I just go and find a kiter to help out when a rescue is needed.

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BWalnut said..
Kites are legendary for rescue ability. I felt like a god when I kited. As a winger, supfoiler, parawinger, I feel utterly useless when things go wrong. Essentially I just go and find a kiter to help out when a rescue is needed.

I never kited, but I figure if the wind dies, I rather have a wingboard to sit on and paddle than swimming. I've seen more kiters getting rescued than wingers.

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pacoz said..

BWalnut said..
Kites are legendary for rescue ability. I felt like a god when I kited. As a winger, supfoiler, parawinger, I feel utterly useless when things go wrong. Essentially I just go and find a kiter to help out when a rescue is needed.

I never kited, but I figure if the wind dies, I rather have a wingboard to sit on and paddle than swimming. I've seen more kiters getting rescued than wingers.

You're correct, if the wind dies it's better to prone back in on a wingboard. However, I don't view that as a rescue. I view that as an assist for an inconvenience. When it comes to actually rescuing someone in heavy conditions it's really no comparison. Here's two examples:

1. I had a double line kite failure in 30 knots of wind and heavy swell. One kiter positioned himself on my now downed kite, had me release my kit, and dragged my system straight back to shore with minimal effort. A second kiter rode up to me and we did the most comical water start ever. Both of us on strapless surfboards with me holding on to his harness and him flying his kite. We rode straight back to shore. Neither of those things would be doable with a wing.

2. This winter in near freezing temps I was winging and came across a downed windsurfer who had nothing left, he gave up, was going to die that day. As a winger I had nothing to offer other than reassurance that I would come back for him. I rushed to shore, tracked down a kiter, pointed them to the windsurfer. They were able to drag the windsurfer and their entire rig back to shore. Probably about a mile drag I would guess.

I 100% agree I'd rather swim in with wing gear, and I sail into much more remote locations with wing gear. However, when it's time for a rescue the kite is king.

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BWalnut said..

pacoz said..

BWalnut said..
Kites are legendary for rescue ability. I felt like a god when I kited. As a winger, supfoiler, parawinger, I feel utterly useless when things go wrong. Essentially I just go and find a kiter to help out when a rescue is needed.

I never kited, but I figure if the wind dies, I rather have a wingboard to sit on and paddle than swimming. I've seen more kiters getting rescued than wingers.

You're correct, if the wind dies it's better to prone back in on a wingboard. However, I don't view that as a rescue. I view that as an assist for an inconvenience. When it comes to actually rescuing someone in heavy conditions it's really no comparison. Here's two examples:

1. I had a double line kite failure in 30 knots of wind and heavy swell. One kiter positioned himself on my now downed kite, had me release my kit, and dragged my system straight back to shore with minimal effort. A second kiter rode up to me and we did the most comical water start ever. Both of us on strapless surfboards with me holding on to his harness and him flying his kite. We rode straight back to shore. Neither of those things would be doable with a wing.

2. This winter in near freezing temps I was winging and came across a downed windsurfer who had nothing left, he gave up, was going to die that day. As a winger I had nothing to offer other than reassurance that I would come back for him. I rushed to shore, tracked down a kiter, pointed them to the windsurfer. They were able to drag the windsurfer and their entire rig back to shore. Probably about a mile drag I would guess.

I 100% agree I'd rather swim in with wing gear, and I sail into much more remote locations with wing gear. However, when it's time for a rescue the kite is king.

Have a different viewpoint in a wave situation with winds that are cross off and can die with strong currents into a sketchy reef break. Kites are way worse if wind dies or punctured. Small board and heaps of lines. Have rescued a kite with a wingboard when the wind has swung offshore. Swum in with windsurfing gear, kite gear and wing gear oh and now parawing gear. Bigger board is very helpful. After trashing my knee in straps on a kite I will not go near them.
Have an anchorman harness with a quick release and sea anchor great for saving the wing from getting trashed by the foil in waves.

Totally agree with ya on those situations. I'm talking more about a kites ability to perform rescues, not trying to say one is better than the other as a hobby or when being rescued.

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Mark _australia said..
This major bleed from lower limb needs to be known by everyone in our sports..unfortunately it lost traction a few years ago

a tourniquet is of some use but just knowing where to push for an artery is of great value

New technique to save shark attack victims involves pushing hard 'between the hips and the bits' - ABC News

Just a note on torniquets, if you ever are in the unfortunate situation where you need to use one, never release it once tightened. Releasing should only be done under medical supervision as the toxins that build up in the limb are enough to do as much damage as the original injury. I think they administer specialist drugs to counter this, don't know the details but do know that it should not be released.

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pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

How does a "cut-resisant" shirt compare with a 2 mm wetsuit?(I also wonder if wearing a neck brace is the next step).

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Faff said..

pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

How does a "cut-resisant" shirt compare with a 2 mm wetsuit?(I also wonder if wearing a neck brace is the next step).

Yeah interested to know the benefits of a wetsuit too. I always wear a steamer (and helmet) and some days I am cooking. How beneficial is it?

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Faff said..

pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

How does a "cut-resisant" shirt compare with a 2 mm wetsuit?(I also wonder if wearing a neck brace is the next step).

I had not heard of this product. I assume it would mean that you would get a wicked bruise instead of a puncture, but I'm curious if that's true.

Obviously, if you're hit in the right place, hard enough nothing is going to save you. After decades of kiting, windsurfing, and surfing I've been involved in more than a few rescue missions ranging from having a kite fail miles off shore and getting caught in current running towards cliffs (thankfully was training for long distance swims at the time), people getting blown off shore, carried off shore by current all the way to near drownings and a catastrophic level of injury when a friend went head first into dry reef while we were surfing (thankfully he survived and was out surfing again 6 months later). From all of these, there were a bunch of learnings. I really appreciate the rest of you sharing your experiences, it could make a difference for someone who is new to Watersports.

Besides the Gong Bodyguard stuff, which still looks a bit rough in its design, and not something I'm likely to wear on the water, other sports like speed skating, hockey, and skiing all have some cut resistant clothing.

I'd personally really like a form fitting hooded rashguard and leggings (in hi-viz colors) made out of some of these fabrics...

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Faff said..

pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

How does a "cut-resisant" shirt compare with a 2 mm wetsuit?(I also wonder if wearing a neck brace is the next step).

Foils cut trough neoprene like butter, it's better than nothing but not even a 5mm will save you. The cut resistant fabric does what it says. I think it's the same fabric as is the stuff for other sports. I do have cut resistant socks for hockey and they feel the same. Of course it can't save you from bruises, but at least cuts are out of the way.

A helmet with a big visor may also be smart. Gath makes one. I personally do use large sunglasses (oakley sutro) and hope that they at least somewhat protect the upper part of my face in case I fall on the foil.

I reverse taco'd onto my foil a couple years ago. One of the cloud ix fs series foils. Was wearing a Dakine neoprene impact vest, much thicker than a wetsuit, from my old kite days. I was left with a pretty horrific looking 14" long bruise across my back between my shoulders over the spine. Pretty nauseous/dizzy with pain getting back to shore but the impact vest doesn't even have a scratch!

I'm fairly certain without that vest I would have been badly injured.

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pacoz said..

Faff said..

pacoz said..
The obvious: helmet, impact vest.

Additionally I always ride with shoes, gloves and cut resistant pants and shirt (gong bodyguard). So basically almost no skin exposed. It does add a bit of weight of course, but I take that for peace of mind, not only with regards to the foil but also to jellyfish, shells and other stuff. And also I don't need to use so much sunscreen.

How does a "cut-resisant" shirt compare with a 2 mm wetsuit?(I also wonder if wearing a neck brace is the next step).

Foils cut trough neoprene like butter, it's better than nothing but not even a 5mm will save you. The cut resistant fabric does what it says. I think it's the same fabric as is the stuff for other sports. I do have cut resistant socks for hockey and they feel the same. Of course it can't save you from bruises, but at least cuts are out of the way.

A helmet with a big visor may also be smart. Gath makes one. I personally do use large sunglasses (oakley sutro) and hope that they at least somewhat protect the upper part of my face in case I fall on the foil.

I hit my shin on the foil hard when getting out thru the shore break. The wetsuit was fine, but I ended up with a cut on the shin. When I was learning, I breached off a wave and somehow the foil cut me right under the rim of the Gath helmet, just above the eyebrow. (I've had the full visor lying around for years now. Still haven't put it on, lol).

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kook123 said..
other sports like speed skating, hockey, and skiing all have some cut resistant clothing.

Yes, you can get them on skating shops.

Always look for the best ones, graded "level 5 resistance".PS: I agree with you, having protective gear in high visibility colors makes a lot of sense.

I'll add too - tuck in a crash. Legs apart, or an arm out to the side, opens up access to the 'normally protected' arteries.

I don't care what you think about safety: if you land from 2m up, on a foil tip, in your groin you will die without the right couple of folks there.

I had the most average breach crash and the board rolled on its side so the front foil wing was vertical. As I fell I almost landed on it with my arse, and that scared me as a major slashed glute or upper hammy would not be be a 'walk it off' kinda injury

Platitudes about 'be there for each other' is all well and good but if its well offshore in 25kn you need to be able to stop enormous bleeding and for 30mins. I repeat, Google the fist between the hip and the bits article. Google how to press on other arteries. If its really on, make sure you have two people going to call 000 and they know exactly how to describe your location and the drift direction.

I'm passionate as I know one that perhaps could have been saved.

+1 on the impact vest, both for the reasons BWalnut raises and also for Mark's point. If you have someone bleeding out it is a lot easier to get them ashore with a vest on, they float in deep water and you then have a great grab point to drag them up the beach and out of surf zone. also a better chance of survival if unconscious from impact or any other medical condition.

As mark said, a metric ****ton of blood comes out from arterial bleeds. You ain't got long and if there is only one of you then you pretty much have no chance of getting them ashore and controlling bleeding at the same time (similar experience with picklefork to someone's neck, what a great design that was).

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Mark _australia said..
I'll add too - tuck in a crash. Legs apart, or an arm out to the side, opens up access to the 'normally protected' arteries.

I don't care what you think about safety: if you land from 2m up, on a foil tip, in your groin you will die without the right couple of folks there.

I had the most average breach crash and the board rolled on its side so the front foil wing was vertical. As I fell I almost landed on it with my arse, and that scared me as a major slashed glute or upper hammy would not be be a 'walk it off' kinda injury

Platitudes about 'be there for each other' is all well and good but if its well offshore in 25kn you need to be able to stop enormous bleeding and for 30mins. I repeat, Google the fist between the hip and the bits article. Google how to press on other arteries. If its really on, make sure you have two people going to call 000 and they know exactly how to describe your location and the drift direction.

I'm passionate as I know one that perhaps could have been saved.

(You wing ding!?)Some foils look way more dangerous than others (higher aspect with pointy tips or winglets). Some are ridiculously sharp.

Another bit of kit worthy of consideration is a PLB. They're quite small and not that expensive, and I consider it a good bit of insurance against something nasty happening out there. Even in the event of rendering assistance to an injured person, the option of activating a beacon to get extra help on its way (even if it takes awhile), rather than struggling to provide first aid while also trying to get the casualty ashore could make a difference.
Mine resides semi-permanently in a pouch inside my impact vest so its no trouble at all besides just testing it occasionally.

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Mark _australia said..
Google the fist between the hip and the bits article. Google how to press on other arteries.

www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-24/anu-shark-bite-new-life-saving-technique-fist-in-groin-area/100488934

^^^ yay
I'm a numpty

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colas said..

I agree with you, having protective gear in high visibility colors makes a lot of sense.

Last year I was looking for bright colored lycra/rash guards and couldn't find a single one in the Hawaii surf shops. It seems that "fashion" took over and all of them were in camouflage or dark colors, hard to believe. Fortunately, the bright ones are starting to make a comeback. +1 on impact vest

Mini CO2 lifejacket belt is good for offshore runs. They're the size of a fanny pack and, to the point of others, could help keep another rider afloat. My board leash recently came unattached while 2 miles out, fortunately I caught it and fixed it, but I was thinking that could have led to a long hard swim. The life jacket wouldn't help with the swim, but it would give an option if you needed a rest on the way back in or had a way to call for help.

Don't skip on the black gear. Might be less visible to an eyeball on the beach but black shows up really well on the search and rescue infrared cams!