BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Just wanted to get this out there for anyone who rides a new "Mayhem" from Caution Kites.

I was thinking about this due to the accident that happened at Sherman.

Most people are taught and know the following:

1) Things get bad, let go of your control bar.
2) Things get really bad, punch out on your quick release which will dissconnect you from the kite and put the kite onto your leash - flagging it.
3) Things get really, really, really bad - pull the quick release on your kite leash which will completely dissconnect you from the kite %100.

If you own the new caution mayhem...this will work until you get to step three.

Look carefully - that red rope you are connecting your kite leash to actually goes through a rectangular ring on the chicken loop. So if you pull your primary quick release, your kite will be flagged and depowered. But for whatever reason if you are in a terrible situation and still getting dragged by the kite and come to the emergency decision to pull the quick realse on your leash - you will still be connected to the kite because your leash is running through that ring on the chicken loop which is still connected to your harness. So the only way to totally disconnect yourself from the kite at this point (and if you get to this point I presume you are in serious immidiate life threatening situation) is to reach down and undo your chicken loop.

You can remedy this situation by pulling the red rope out and down from the system (be sure to attach a piece of string so you can rethread it through the plastic chicken loop handle). And then reset the system but not run it through that dangerous metal ring on the chickenloop.

If you are more confused than before, check this video which is a Quicktime on their wesite - it seems tohave been removed from YouTube (maybe trying to keep the cat in the bag?): http://www.cautionkites.com/movies/VIDEO_CBAR_QT.html

Seems like their factory configuration is the most dangerous.....looks like an accident waiting to happen. Pass the word to anyine you see on a new Caution.

Use caution as Caution Mayhem Kites may create mayhem

LOL .. the irony

I think i will use caution and stay away from them entirely

That's fine because it's obvious that you need a full on "kook" proof kite!

Umm, I did notice that when I rode an 11 meter demo earlier this year. When I first checked the kite and went through the emergency release systems, I noticed that the stock setup will not completely release the kite from you if you decide to eject the kite because the chicken loop is still attached to your harness.

I just changed the settings and separated the chicken loop and the red depower line so the kite will flag when detached from the chicken loop. Reset the bar when I returned the kite a week later. Never really thought too much about it after that.

I guess Caution could have set the bars in a more conservative setup. Why don't you send email to their tech support and see what they say about it?

Just like anything else, people need to be aware and make sure they know everything about the quick release systems on their kites, advantages, and limitations.

so i guess you can't just throw caution to the wind then?
hehe

Maybe, ... I don't know. The only thing that I could come up with at that time is that the kite I rode was Peter's personal kite which is why it is in an advance setup. I set it up based on my skill level and then reset it back later.

That's fine because it's obvious that you need a full on "kook" proof kite!

Yeah I agree safety is for kooks only. Anyone pointing out problems must be a kook as well. Locals Only!

Erin, you've been on a real one-liner kick ever since that Monkey kite got stuck in the tree!!!

The accident that took place at Sherman Island is terribly unfortunate and we at Caution extend our condolences to the rider, his family and friends.

It goes without saying, safety is incredibly important to us and those that choose to ride our kites.

As I understand, presented here on the forum, the accident does not appear to be a result of a Caution safety system, the rider was on another brand. As the eye witnesses seem to indicate, it stems from an unfortunate rider error combined with a hazardous combination of conditions, board leash and kite size.

As Perukite pointed out, relating it to this tragic story (?), there are three different setups for the Mayhem safety system, each for a different style and/or level of riding, and the choice is ultimately up to the rider. We initially had our 07 Answer kites come with the line through the chicken loop, to ensure the safety of other riders around. A number of riders were riding without leashes, once the QR was activated, the kite would become a flying hazard to anything down wind. In 08 we decided to include a Handlepass leash with every complete kite, thus eliminating the need for the line going through the chicken loop. Yes, Perukite is right, there were a couple shipment that went out with the system hooked up the old way (still kills the kite though). There was one extra step to completely disconnect 100%. Once this was brought to our attention, we immediately had the factory change all remaining kites, and sent out a video to our distributors, detailing the correct way to send the kites out.

If you have any questions about the proper use of the Mayhem quick release system please check the video section of our website for the Bar Setup Video or contact us directly.

Once again, our deepest condolences to those that were affected by this tragic accident.

Sincerely,
Poul

Hey Poul, nice to have you on board monitoring the forums.