Hi all,

I've just finished posting two new self-rescue videos tutorials, this time in HD

The first one is the basic self-rescue method that doesn't involve wrapping any lines around the bar:



The second one is the full pack down self-rescue which involves wrapping all the lines around the bar and transforming your kite into a floatation device. We only recommend this technique for 1) a completely deflated leading edge 2) Off-shore winds 3) zero wind AND if you are far from the shore.

Keep in mind that deflating the leading edge greatly reduces the visibility from a potential rescue party and therefore should only be done as a last resort.



These videos are the first of many on our brand new Vimeo channel. Stay tuned.

Great videos mate, nicely demonstrated

MDSXR6T said...
Thanks mate, hugely appreciated

Self rescue was something that was never even mentioned to me during lessons..

not surprised

Tried self rescuing a few times and find it hard to get the sail technique working properly. Anyone else had this?

The videos show quite clearly you need to make a sail. By that it means bend the end of the kite in such a way to make a C shape so that it catches the wind enough for you to sail back to shore.

You can steer the kite somewhat with your board as a rudder and by pulling on the lines left or right to turn the sail into the direction you need to go. You do NOT need a sailing course for this. It's pretty straight forward.

If there is no wind at all to allow you to sail back to shore, you'll need to go the next step: pack down. By this I mean float for others to rescue you or swim back to shore yourself (either with the kite as a pack/floating device or on your own letting go of the gear entirely). Heaven forbid the later would ever be the case, but what's more important? You or the kite?

What the videos don't demonstrate unfortunately that in rough seas, and chop all over your head and mouth/eyes, it's very hard to do a self rescue in the way shown. Self-rescue in rough seas you need to pack the kite down and have the lines rolled up so as to create a "boat". It's not hard again, as long as you keep calm and focused. What you need to do then is make sure all the struts are locked (should have done that on the beach first!), and actually deflate the leading edge bladder only, but not completely. Enough to be able to fold the kite over itself so that you create a floatation device. You could also use the lines of the kite to further enhance the stability of the kite to do this. The only other option is wave, yell, scream, etc to grab attention and get rescued by helicopter or what ever.

If all that fails, ditch the gear and try and swim back to shore.

terminal said..

Getting your gear to shore (gear rescue) is not usually an aid to self rescue and may be a hindrance.

Which is why you should wind up the lines really at all times. Avoid the first video IMO.