[Emergency Rescue Kit] What to prepare for...

[irvinside]

Hi All,

I love kiting at 3rd but often wind drop sharply while still in the channel and ebb is strong.
I was surprised to learn that Coast Guard can require up to 3h on a very bad day
to locate and assist, and by that time night might come.

So for these tricky days & conditions when we are a few on water
I have my previous harness to which I connected an Emergency Safety Kit,
and that's the one I am using when necessary for myself and others.

Dakine Solo Bag + VHF Marine + Strobe
Here is the photo:

Emergency Rescue Kit

Kit Securite Kite may 2017.JPG (164.15KiB)Viewed 12392 times

Also have a Marine watch with Tides and Sunset times. And
Key risk being Hypothermia in the bay, more neoprene is safer so +beanie.

But What's your thoughts :
Whats to prepare for, and What's the best approach in case of emergency when no more safe to leave kite and swim to shore in the Bay ?

Cheers,
Greg

[NorCalNomad]

For tricky days and conditions choose a beach that won't require a rescue if the wind dies.

[ozreiuosn]

For tricky days and conditions choose a beach that won't require a rescue if the wind dies.

Right, because the perfect beaches exist here in the Bay



Thank you Irvinside for the post. It's never a bad idea to be safe.

[NorCalNomad]

There is a difference between going out on a day where it's more than likely to cause you to have to do some sort of rescue vs a challenging conditions day.

[irvinside]

Wind stays unpredictable, strength can drop , direction shift, no forecast is 100% accurate. Beach selection is another process : focusing on what is accessible with some wind is the key factor.

I rescued a beginner off 3rd that got a deflated f-one kite last October.
It was ebbing, near dawn,... I barely noticed its pink f-one bandit kite in between waves from a distance. When I arrived at his level I asked him to drop his kite and join me but he denied. It was a major ebb, but he did not realized the risk.

Hopefully another kiter saw us, and stayed around while I chased the Kite415 teacher on his jetski off the lower launch (sorry you probably read this man but I do not recall your first name :-) )

By the time I came back to the kiter in difficulty he was in the channel off coyote point. The jetski came, rescued him and his equipment (hope he got a GENEROUS TIP!), and I had to leave sharply as the wind started to drop.

If you ask me though better be prepared to take a tough decision that ending up in that channel at night.

Just have a safety kit if you do not know how to identify the risks. Mine is just a suggestion.
Just hope this might help Guys,

Cheers,
Greg

[le noun]

Greg, I agree with NorCal in the sense that knowledge of the site is key: if you're the only one out it's usually a sign of going back to shore pronto.
That being said, I enjoy your post as it is nice to repeat to other beginners hopefully reading this forum what the risks are (you seem to me like a seasoned kiter).
I would say to your original post that there is not a single time you should leave your kite if you have a twin tip as it is the most flotation device you've got (if it's still inflated).
Now, if you have a surfboard and it's blowing hard offshore, then yes, dumping the kite hoping that you have your phone number on the LE (to avoid having the coastguards looking for you) might be the safest choice.

I think the worst case scenario would be kiting alone, at sunset, on a TT, in the channel and blow your LE... Now that would reaaaaaaaally suck. But again, who would be dumb enough to put himself in such situation?

[irvinside]

Thanks Mate,
Yes that's the real dilemna leave the kite or stay.
Anyone can make a bad assessment on distance to shore and swimming effort in cold water with wind and tide.

I was surprised to realize you can actually seat cowboy style:
- on a foil and stay afloat (I have large board though)
- on a TT with a Go Joe and stay afloat as well.

Go Joe actually works as a Buoy, another good point for it.

A tres bientot, mais comme tu as delaisse Coyote cela sera Wadell :-)

A++
Greg

[le noun]

A tres bientot, mais comme tu as delaisse Coyote cela sera Wadell :-)

Been busy surfing.
Waiting for sherman to pick up.

[NorCalNomad]

Sorry but Go-Joe = instantly suspicious of person's ability level and/or safety decision making. (Source: any beach where a go-joe has been seen, 3rd and Alameda being the worst offenders)

[irvinside]

Sorry but Go-Joe = instantly suspicious of person's ability level and/or safety decision making. (Source: any beach where a go-joe has been seen, 3rd and Alameda being the worst offenders)

I understand NorCal.

I have been riding for 7 years, 55 sessions per year lately, mostly strapless and TT when I like looping. But my head is an empty jar so I keep on asking and learning.

Go Joe saved my life once when I had to swim for 90min to shore with 25knots of wind and strong tide. Always kept it since.

And I would strongly encourage beginners/intermediate riders reading this to go for it.
I actually feel sad someone would judge them based on the fact they use a safety device

Always have an opened mind,
Greg