Hey
Could someone explain what actually happened?
I read through the thread and I find it unclear what the events where. Some say he was launching, some say he was walking backwards to talk to a mate and got lofted.
Thanks
Select to expand quotekiterboy said..Kazza said..kiterboy said..
But one fact remains.
Responsibility for your own safety rests solely with the individual. You.
And YOU have a responsibility for the safety of others as well.
Perhaps you need to read my post again.
Sorry kiterboy I didn't mean you yourself, I meant your right with the responsibility of your own safety bit and kiters also need to be consious of onlooker and other water users safety as well. One big load of responsibility flying these things.
Was taught early this year was told not to go out if gusts were more than 5 knots over wind speed and never over 30 knots. Cross winds only maybe slight onshore. Always wear a helmet and vest. Don't walk in or out with kite at 12. Always depowered.
Last I heard (second hand) was that he is in an induced coma with very serious injuries and may not survive.
Given the seriousness of this matter, and out of respect for the kiter and his friends and family, I suggest that nobody post further speculation about the circumstances of the accident. I think another thread should be started for "improvements required at Altona" for that.
If you were there, write down what you saw in a personal report and send it in to KBV who will hopefully collate a full accident report.
If he dies, you could also send in your report to the State Coroner.
Good call Peter!
The amount of speculation on here is out of control. I wrote a report to KBV and have spoken to the friends of Quinn to clear things up on Monday/Tuesday.
There are some really positive things to hopefully come of this thread, including better signage for Altona.
If you're after something to take away into the weekend, go and practice pulling your quick release in a controlled environment, making this muscle memory is one of the big things I'm taking away from this tragic event. (Please make sure it's in a controlled environment minimising the risks to other beach users)
Select to expand quoteMrTwist said..
Hey
Could someone explain what actually happened?
I read through the thread and I find it unclear what the events where. Some say he was launching, some say he was walking backwards to talk to a mate and got lofted.
Thanks
I wasn't there but this is just a possible scenario- and I write this so others may learn an avoid -
- if kite is fully trimmed, consequently difficult to steer and control
- most likely the kite was direct overhead
- it falls, lines slacken, a line can then go around bar (time to release is now)
- at some stage the kite will re-catch wind and power up
- kite is now uncontrollable, only hope is to release
- if not kite then loops powerfully and uncontrollably
For a learner:
1. Use the correct kite size for the conditions, know it's wind range
2. Be aware of the affect of trimming a kite
3. Don't have your kite parked at 12 o'clock
4. Practice releasing your kite- do it several times on serval different days, learn to find the release with 'eyes closed'
5. If your kite lofts/ stalls/ tumbles- and lines go slack- release it immediately, it's very easy to sort it out and start again.
- as you gain experience you may not have to release the kite.
Hope this helps
To many self proclaimed experts dissecting an unfortunate accident
Most of you have no idea what your talking about!
All the best Quinn
Select to expand quotejustaddwind said..
To many self proclaimed experts dissecting an unfortunate accident
Most of you have no idea what your talking about!
All the best Quinn
Please enlighten "most of us" with your wisdom because I don't see you adding anything to help others learn from this tragedy and prevent it reoccurring.
There is no disrespect to Quinn by describing the events of the accident, I'm sure he'd prefer others to know so they may protect themselves and the ones that love them.
The view of "not discussing the details of the accident" I believe to be misplaced. No one is to blame, accidents happen and we must learn from them.
This is the 2nd time at Altona a serious and preventable accident has happened.
We don't want a third do we justaddwind?
Select to expand quoteselwyn said..justaddwind said..
To many self proclaimed experts dissecting an unfortunate accident
Most of you have no idea what your talking about!
All the best Quinn
Please enlighten "most of us" with your wisdom because I don't see you adding anything to help others learn from this tragedy and prevent it reoccurring.
There is no disrespect to Quinn by describing the events of the accident, I'm sure he'd prefer others to know so they may protect themselves and the ones that love them.
The view of "not discussing the details of the accident" I believe to be misplaced. No one is to blame, accidents happen and we must learn from them.
This is the 2nd time at Altona a serious and preventable accident has happened.
We don't want a third do we justaddwind?
I agree with you selwyn and thanks for your 'possible' scenario. I benefited from it and I'm sure others did as well
Select to expand quotejustaddwind said..
To many self proclaimed experts dissecting an unfortunate accident
Most of you have no idea what your talking about!
All the best Quinn
Hey mate, every one has a right to voice their opinions on how you should or shouldn't control a kite, so this sort of accident dosen't happen again, especially to people like you, my friend(a figure of speech).
For your information, I spoke to Matt, our local ambulance officer who is also a kiter and his words were that it wasn't looking to good at this stage.
George
Select to expand quoteSpartan said...
For your information, I spoke to Matt, our local ambulance officer who is also a kiter and his words were that it wasn't looking to good at this stage.
Hmm...I'd be interested to hear an official update because I heard (second hand) the exact opposite.
Select to expand quotemelbournekiter said..Spartan said...
For your information, I spoke to Matt, our local ambulance officer who is also a kiter and his words were that it wasn't looking to good at this stage.
Hmm...I'd be interested to hear an official update because I heard (second hand) the exact opposite.
I don't understand what it is in the words above you don't get pal!??
The guy is in bad shape, ok!? All we can do is pray for him to recover.
What more do you need to know?
Leave it and lets focus on how to make the sport safer now. *geeeesussss*
Select to expand quoteKazan said..melbournekiter said..Spartan said...
For your information, I spoke to Matt, our local ambulance officer who is also a kiter and his words were that it wasn't looking to good at this stage.
Hmm...I'd be interested to hear an official update because I heard (second hand) the exact opposite.
I don't understand what it is in the words above you don't get pal!??
The guy is in bad shape, ok!? All we can do is pray for him to recover.
What more do you need to know?
Leave it and lets focus on how to make the sport safer now. *geeeesussss*
Lol. Snarkiest and without a doubt the best and most succinct post of this entire 7 page thread :)
Instead of hijacking this thread, why don't all of you with a genuine desire to communicate safety, post all of your safety messages in a ready made thread?
That way it's all in one place and easily accessed, instead of scattered though the forum in threads like these.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/The-Safety-Thread/
Select to expand quoteKazan said..melbournekiter said..
Hmm...I'd be interested to hear an official update because I heard (second hand) the exact opposite.Select to expand quoteI don't understand what it is in the words above you don't get pal!??
There isn't anything.Select to expand quoteThe guy is in bad shape, ok!? All we can do is pray for him to recover.
..OR...we could ask if he has recovered.Select to expand quoteWhat more do you need to know?
Whether he has recovered.Select to expand quoteLeave it and lets focus on how to make the sport safer now. *geeeesussss*
There's lots of focus on how to do that, but in the meantime (because you say so) - I cannot ask if any of his colleagues that have posted, or KBV can post an official update?
I can't believe I just wasted 2 minutes on replying to that.
Select to expand quoteselwyn said..
This is the 2nd time at Altona a serious and preventable accident has happened.
We don't want a third do we justaddwind?
You can prevent any accident by sitting at home and not kiting.
Even highly competent expert kiters with new gear and local knowledge will have near misses (or catastrophic accidents).
Select to expand quoteTaurus said..selwyn said..
This is the 2nd time at Altona a serious and preventable accident has happened.
We don't want a third do we justaddwind?
You can prevent any accident by sitting at home and not kiting.
Even highly competent expert kiters with new gear and local knowledge will have near misses (or catastrophic accidents).
Taurus
- there are accidents but we must rally together to prevent as many as possible.
How many times have you seen a novice, under skilled, or unexperienced- do something right in front of you while you watch holding your breath and thinking " wow, that was close" ?
Some of the time the learner is ignorant and didn't even know the danger.
These are the accidents we need to try to avoid with instruction an education.
It is very different to an experienced kiter, knowing the risks and making an informed decision to do it any way.
A lot of you are wondering how Quinn is doing and I thought I would share the positive news with you. Quinn has been taken off sedatives and is now 'awake'. His eyes are tracking you as you move and thankfully he seems able to move his left arm and left leg. No conversation just yet but this result is better than anyone ever expected. His friends, family and colleagues are all amazed and relieved.
He even had a cheeky squeeze at some of his nurses and visitors which gave the whole situation some levity. All we can do now is continue to monitor his progress and pray for a complete recovery. Having wrestled and boxed in competitions, Quinn has always been a fighter and continues to prove it on a daily basis.
Thank you again for the support we've received over this last nail-biting week. I'll post updates when appropriate.
Brilliant news - thanks for the update. Let us know if he wants about 150 visitors.
That's awesome news thank you for letting us know, he is very lucky and it sounds like he has some great support from friends and family which is really good.
