Rescuing others

You can use your kite to rescue others, but it is very important to not become part of the problem yourself. Level: advanced.

You can render assistance to and rescue other water users if required, including swimmers, boaters, sailors, windsurfers and other kitesurfers. Someone with one or both hands raised above their head and waving requires assistance - this is a distress signal.

Rescuing others - towing
Caution

CAUTION: Only kitesurfers with advanced skills should attempt to rescue others. If a less experienced kitesurfer attempts a rescue and gets their own kite lines tangled, then two people require rescuing.

Caution

CAUTION: Do NOT use your safety leash to tow in another kiter. If they let go of the leash will under tow the elastic will recoil and fling the metal clip towards you, possibly causing and injury. Instruct someone you are towing in to hold the handle on the back of your harness..

Rescuing someone in the water - conscious

    • Head to their location, slowing as you reach them. Watch for debris or other obstacles as you approach

    • Instruct the person being rescued to hold onto the handle at the back of your harness

    • Leave your board and use your kite to body drag back to shore, towing the person being rescued

Rescuing someone in the water - unconscious

    • Head to their location, slowing as you reach them. Watch for debris or other obstacles as you approach

    • Use one arm to grab the person being rescued around their chest under their arms

    • If they have stopped breathing, give them a big squeeze

    • Leave your board and use your kite to body drag back to shore, controlling your kite with one hand and towing the person being rescued with the your other arm

    • Administer CPR as soon as you get to the beach

Retrieving a kite

    • Approach the kite from the side or from slightly down wind. The bar and lines will be trailing upwind from the kite.

    • Slow down you approach the kite

    • Reach down with one hand and grab the leading edge. Caution: be careful to avoid getting tangled in the bridle lines or the kite lines

    • Head towards the shore towing the kite, holding it by the leading edge

Caution

CAUTION: Retrieving a kite is more difficult and dangerous than retrieving a board. Be careful to avoid getting tangled in the kite lines.