For the first time in my kitesurfing career, I did not follow my old safety rules:
1. I did not double check the line connections – unfortunately the left front line was looped trough the left bridles!!!
2. Accepted to be launched by someone I did not know
3. I’ve been using the regular Cabrinha QR, not the one I normally use.
4. I threw the lines under the kite, “forgetting” the bridles, than connecting them without checking

The kite -16 m Crossbow, the wind – 18 knots, gusting 22 – 24, the beach – Middle Brighton (Melbourne)
The kite was launched on the right side of the wind window, the tangled line was on the left side of the kite, practically “overpowering” the kite; as soon as the kite was launched, it speed up, trough the power zone, lifted me 3 – 4 m in the air, than speed up downwards, on the left side of the wind window, crashing on the sand. All this lesss than 5 – 6 seconds.
I did not have the time to reach the QR, I ended crashing hard, my left shoulder first on the sand.

The results were “catastrophic”: my left arm got dislocated from my shoulder joint, lost blood supply in the arm.
Thanks to the dedicated ambulance crew (I only remember a name on the tag: Jessica, God bless her), I reached the Alfred Hospital in less than 20 minutes, where my arm was shifted back in the joint, and the blood supply to my arm was recovered.

What is to be learned from this?
It doesn’t matter how eager we are to get on the water, safety first, do not override the good old rules.
When you launch someone else, give a quick look to the setting before letting the kite go, better delay a launch than be sorry.
And the most important rule: DO NOT CONNECT LINES UNDER THE KITE. Unless you can see ALL THE LENGTH of the lines and the bridles, do not suppose that they are free of tangles.

I will be another 2 – 3 weeks out of action, as the joint is recovering, I wish all of you good time on the water and no accidents.

yeh dude bugger awsome that you only have 3 weeks recovery! or did they suggest longer but the wind will b to good to resist :)

Sad to hear your hurt again saliva. Hope for a speedy recovery.
I found out the best thing to avoid your accident, i bought a kite with no bridles. Cool eh??

Seriously tho speedy recovery mate..

dont hook in until you are sure the lines are right although those who have their "100% depower bows" dont seem to understand the need for 1 line safety.
back on topic-hope you heal quick and with out recurring problems.

Get well soon buddy.

Good on ya to give us the story, nice to still have you around.

Yea, it can be a dangerous thing this kite flying.

Speedy Recovery Silviu. It may be a silly question, but why were you launching a 16m Crossbow in wind averaging 18kn gusting to 24 knots??? Most riders where I ride will rig a 12m or 9m Crossbow in wind that strong.

I was riding a 7m and powered beautifully in only slightly stronger conditions today at Pinnas (20-25 knots).

In strong conditions, I always wear the factory leash and launch with one finger on the trigger of the Airush trigger QR, just in case of an emergency. Never had to activate it on launch but I'm assured by the feel of the little red lever if the kite takes off with too much power.

We teach all our students when rigging " a good carpenter measured twice and cuts once" This applies to kiting, check lines twice and launch once.

Anyways, recover quick and good winds,

quote:

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Originally posted by Kitehard

Speedy Recovery Silviu. It may be a silly question, but why were you launching a 16m Crossbow in wind averaging 18kn gusting to 24 knots??? Most riders where I ride will rig a 12m or 9m Crossbow in wind that strong.

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I always have to be one size up, as I am not the average weight (95 Kg). A 12m in that wind will get me going mostly beam reach, but very little upwind. It may be a matter of technique, but I like to be powered, and, if everithing is rigged corectly, there should not be any problem. Base 18 knots, is middrange for a 16 m X-bow, in my case.

With the QR, as I said before, the think happened so quick, and may be I started to be too self compliant, that when I "bite the sand" my hands were still on the bar. And by the way, the leash is always on.
Lesson learned!!
Today I started using the left hand a little bit, is panifull but looks good!

Thanks everybuddy for the posts and good wishes.
I will see you on the water soon.

Silviu

A friend had a similar launch on a switchblade II, thankfully without the injury. Not sure whether it's same on the crossbow, but there is a larks head knot attatching bridle to canopy which came undone. Worth checking with your flying lines. "**** happens!" they say, but its better to learn off other peoples injuries. Thanks Silviu, speedy recovery

Sympathies to you silviu...a fully powered-up bow aint that safe.

Lesson learned for many crew.
Again when teaching newbies, teach then to pull the bridles out and position them, check the pulleys and all bridle lines for thin points. Older Bow kites bridle lines are just about buggered and should be relpaced before this season kicks in. Check the canopy for any knicks.
Kitehards motto is check the lines twice and launch once. When launching someones kite you are the closest to the thing and it is your job to check the kite before launching.
Safe kiting everyone!

One think I forgot, and it is not right.
Thanks to all on the beach, who helped me after the event, the guy whom call the ambulance, think he said he was a surgeon, and all the others, Steff and Dean whom packed up my stuff, than drove the car to my place, than call until late to find out how I feel.
It is so comforting to know, we are such a close knit comunity, it does not matter what we ride or what we believe, when one of us is in need we know to stand up and help.
Thanks again guys and thanks all whom posted in this thread.
You right Galah, it looks like I've been trough the "green stars wars" lately