Things not to do

[Basil]

If David Letterman evenr does a "Top 10 things NOT to do during a tropical storm", the #1 thing would be THIS.

 

[tony barnhill]

Saw it on the news...he's now in the hospital in critical condition....maybe a runner up for the Darwin Awards?

 

[DrEntropy]

As pathetic as I am, that made me laugh... WHAT could have been going thru that fool's brain to motivate him to even TRY a kite ride in those conditions?!?!? Most of the <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">gulls</span></span> are walkin' thru that stuff. Ya'd think he'd kinda wonder over that...

 

[tony barnhill]

& he was dragged along the ground for some time before being lifted a second time to smack the wall - could'a let go then!

 

[bugimike]

I had to laugh too Doc.! My thoughts exactly Tony...What!! Are you afraid of losing the kite at that point?? DOH!!!! LET GO!!! Definitely a Darwin Award candidate!

 

[Tinster]

We get those same brainless fools but they fly to the
island specifically to surf monster hurricane breakers.

Sadly, a few usually get chopped up on the reef coral
or wrapped around coconut trees.

I'm happy the folks in FL made our OK.

D

 

[Simon TR4a]

Not ALL that sad!
Simon.

 

[tomshobby]

The sad thing is this fool used a lot of emergency resources during a time when sensible people needed them available.

 

[Silverghost]

News report I saw said he was harnessed to the kite and had no way of letting go........

 

[aerog]

I'm happy the folks in FL made our OK.

So far - but the storm is only halfway across the state. The rain hasn't even hit here yet (not a drop).

They're forecasting it to finally hit the Atlantic some time tomorrow as a hurricane, then take about a day to go up and cross the state from east to west somewhere between Flagler Beach and St Augustine.

 

[William]

News report I saw said he was harnessed to the kite and had no way of letting go........

That's what I always thought-you have to be harnessed to those things, kind of like parasailing.

I thought this would be something like you'd see on <span style="font-style: italic">America's Funniest Home Videos</span>- you know, guy gets knocked over and the wind drags him along the ground for about ten feet till he hits the garden shed at the end of the yard. That was just brutal. Stupid, but brutal.

-Wm.

 

[tony barnhill]

News report I saw said he was harnessed to the kite and had no way of letting go........

That's what I always thought-you have to be harnessed to those things, kind of like parasailing.

I thought this would be something like you'd see on <span style="font-style: italic">America's Funniest Home Videos</span>- you know, guy gets knocked over and the wind drags him along the ground for about ten feet till he hits the garden shed at the end of the yard. That was just brutal. Stupid, but brutal.

-Wm.

No quick disconnect like on some military parachutes?

 

[vping]

Not much time to even think about trying to get out of it. After he hits the sand, there is only about 3 seconds till he hits the building.

 

[tony barnhill]

Just rewatched the video - he had emergency releases... but, IMO, just not enough training & no control over his emotions! There was plenty of time in that video....any of us with military training in that area (1st, wouldn't be out there!) would have enough training so that it would be automatic to hit the release when we first left the water!

 

[Banjo]

Kite surfing is pretty dangerous, even in decent conditions. You are strapped to the kite with a harness. It does have quick release mechanisems, but like was said, I think it all happened too quickly for him to react. Normally these guys are also strapped to a type of surf board, ( he must have lost his just prior to being dragged past the camera) and do some pretty amazing tricks off the waves. They are very popular in the outer banks where I spent enough time watching them to realise I diden't want to try it.
I agree. It's just foolish to try and "ride a storm" There are plenty of people in real need of emergency services for them to be tied up tending to idiots.

 

[GregW]

Hitting the sand probably knocked him around so he couldn't grab the releases. By the time he could have, it wouldn't have made any difference. He was pretty high in the air and movin' fast. I can tell you from first hand experience, 3 seconds isn't a long time when you're being tossed around like a rag doll.

 

[tony barnhill]

Now, Greg, I agree with that...once he hit the ground, it was 'ride it out' time....he had to release when he first lifted off or never.

 

[DrEntropy]

Colonel! You KNOW where th' releases are. Drilled in.

Now, Greg, I agree with that...once he hit the ground, it was 'ride it out' time....he had to release when he first lifted off or never.

:laugh:

Realization you're in a hopeless situation is th' first sign of intelligence... and possible survival. :wink:

 

[tony barnhill]

Colonel! You KNOW where th' releases are. Drilled in.

Now, Greg, I agree with that...once he hit the ground, it was 'ride it out' time....he had to release when he first lifted off or never.

:laugh:

Realization you're in a hopeless situation is th' first sign of intelligence... and possible survival. :wink:

Doc, sitting here on my sofa, I can hit them without thinking!! & its been lots of years since I was in harness....heck, I can still tie a Swiss seat out of a piece of 8' 3/8" rapell rope!

 

[DrEntropy]

me too.... And th' blasted "D" rings on an F-4.

:wink: