I noticed in the "Impressive getting removed from vehicle" video what appeared to be a quick release. There was a strap (strop) through a pulley with a red ball attached to a line behind the pulley. I assume that is a quick release.
Is that setup commercially available or is it something that is a homemade item?
I assume that to use such a device one would need to let go of the handles, pull the release and let the kite killers take over.

You can make one up yourself. Its a stainless ''D'' shackle and a few other bits you can find at any chandlers. Its a Holt Allen snatch block. You will see in my pictures that the snatchblock(pulley) is open and then closed so you can get your stropline in. You will also see the release is open after I pulled on one of the balls. Hope this helps.

D

Hey leo, do a search for quick release and you will see all the posts that have anything to do w/ QRs. Do not skimp on the wichard shackle ,you want #2673 that uses a torsion spring release, instead of a pull pin type.And the HOLT ALLEN blocks are way sweet too.

not sure where you kite but have found that the spring release does not last very long when there is sand involved like on a beach.

If you already have a harness with standard hook spreader you can make a QR like the one in this link.
cheap. It is a similar concept as many manufactured releases.

http://kiteboarderz.piczo.com/projects?cr=6&linkvar=0000...

I have always been shy of the " captive " system . Prefering to be able to push out and flop back in at will. A QR can still be handy if pushing out is not an option. I used this setup for a while when learning but never needed to use it. Only test it.
The main problem I found with this setup is that it shortens your stroke on the one side of the strop.

I am speaking of...

that be the one in my pictures :wee:

I know you get another one wit a small sort of spring loaded piston, that one is no good

Yeah that is the pin type... Very bad.... will not release under load. This is the ONLY one I would trust.

Of course I'm sure it doesn't need to be said that its not a good idea to attatch yourself to anything unless your already proficient without it. Also, its worth noting that one can slide their hands down to pull in the break lines faster than you can get to any QR regardless of what kind it is. Just my 2c of course

Gents,

Thanks for all your input. You gave me much to think about...now to get down to some research! Even after a quick look and considering the comments of ktegure, I'm thinking simple is best and the more automatic the better. Some thought a system that attaches to the buggy and releases the moment you start to get lifted out would be best. Probably so and probably more complex. (also so much for those "impressive getting removed from vehicle" buggy exits LOL.

I like the system that your link refered to Bladerunner. Possibly some version of that with a release hooked to the kite killer cuff so all that is required is to release the handles and jerk the hand away to pull the release. No reaching/groping (go TSA) for the release. Either that or the fully automatic seems the right way to go.
As kteguru mentioned, far as being ready to hook in...I'm not there yet and even when I do get there nothing is 100% in this sport so I want to be as prepared as possible to avoid having an overly impressive removal from my buggy!

Interesting topic.
Sorry, I have another MRI in the morning to determine when surgery is for the last 2 ribs to be plated together.
Still an interesting topic.

I use an arrangement similar to what Bladerunner suggests. I use velcro to hold the pin in place instead of a plastic tube. I thought about the plastic tube but rejected it as the pull has to be from the right direction. With velcro the direction of pull does not matter.
Nice thing about disconnecting the strop is that you still are holding one handle so it works as a killer with out attaching you to your kite. As well as not catapulting 400 grams of snatch block across the field. When you release it your handle flys about 10 feet.
S

Leojim,
Jeff here is referring to a pretty traumatic accident that he had while hooked, demonstrating vividly that there can sometimes be no sufficient time to reach a safety release. He is working on a passive safety release that we are anxious to see when he is done with the patent attorneys.

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid Interesting topic. Sorry, I have another MRI in the morning to determine when surgery is for the last 2 ribs to be plated together. Still an interesting topic.

I will ride hooked in with Fixed bridle but only when I have a thorough understanding and high degree of confidence in wind conditions and predictions. Not so much now in the lumpy frontal driven winter winds.

Quote:

nothing is 100% in this sport so I want to be as prepared as possible to avoid having an overly impressive removal from my buggy!

The best preparation there is is being familiar with your equipment. Get to know your kites in and out. How they fly, how they respond to your inputs, how to kill the power, how to keep them driving, what they need and when they need it etc. etc. etc.. When you know every aspect of your gear (kites,board,buggy) then connecting yourself to it isn't a big deal. Perhaps an important point to remember is that different kinds of gear doesn't provide proficiency. Proficiency provides the ability to use different kinds of gear.

All great points as stated by everyone. Remember that this is not a simple sport. Death will occur, as the fine print says on the websites and kite manuals you get with your new kite.
The key is to be very familiar with your kite and accessories and don't forget, death can occur.... We have all seen the vids of the dumb and extremely lucky.
I do have a QR system that works automatically as I lift off the seat a couple of inches, NO way am I going up up and away again. As soon as I can get someone to help get the buggy out of the trailer, I will take some pics of what I have so far. This system is simple and most can make it work with a bit of modifications to the buggy.
As for the handle QR that is in the works, money is the root of all evil and also the determining factor for lawyers and manufactures.
But the bottom line is, Death can occur at any time, are you ready to go? My wife hates this sport, to much stress.

:shocked2: Death can occur:shocked2:. Man,,,now you wrecked it for me:D. Hope all your parts are healing well Bigkid

Quote:

Originally posted by kteguru :shocked2: Death can occur:shocked2:. Man,,,now you wrecked it for me:D. Hope all your parts are healing well Bigkid

Youtube won't post vids of death, so we never know about them.
Hey, I still fly kites and buggy as much as I can, I enjoy it and have encouraged many others to learn also. All I'm saying is nothing is for sure, except taxes and ... Enjoy the sport and have a great time.
My buggying now is alot like watching the vid of the guys climbing the tower, sweaty palms and butterfly's in the stomach. Just makes it that much more enjoyable when I can drive home after buggying at the park, (one of the requirements to keep my wife happy) :wee:
Why does this post take so long to come up?

I wondered about that myself, maybe has to do with the pics kiteboyza posted of the wichard, I get the bad img thingy next to them. I had to go get aq cup of coffee while I waited.:bouncy:

Jeff, when you flip a buggy , your butt will stay right in the seat. And it will happen so fast you won't even see it happening. Trust me on this,I posted a vid of my wreck a month ago. I'm still messed up. Got to go get MRI wed.
The worst part was ,I was ALONE. Yeah ,I know,I know DUMB. I had to pack away and load onto my buggy about 50 lbs of gear, then pull it 1.5 miles to my truck with 1 arm . It hurt so bad , I thought I was gonna puke. Then had to pick up the 111 lb buggy and put it on the carrier.
I was flying hotwired and hit a clump of dune grass in a powerslide , which caused the buggy to flip instantaneously. I had been doin this for hrs w/ no probs. It was time to go, and I said to myself"just one more run then I'll go" Famous last words... here is the vid reposted.

http://www.vimeo.com/16678110

And yes Jeff , that is your old combat. I love that kite, thanks

The Combat is worse than the pink skirt Don. First it got Jeff then you. Better be careful with that bad boy:roll:

Quote:

Originally posted by bobalooie57 I wondered about that myself, maybe has to do with the pics kiteboyza posted of the wichard, I get the bad img thingy next to them. I had to go get aq cup of coffee while I waited.:bouncy:

you sure it's not your dialup connection dude....lol...maybe I should have posted a warning next to them

''not for dialup as pics are larger format''

I'll do a drawing for you next time

Wow, so much good info here. Interesting thought on the "non-ejection" Weldngod and a video to prove it! I guess the bottom line is: the only perfect safety system is staying home and sitting on the couch...bah humbug to that. Other than that the additional safetly systems can provide an additional margin of safety. That's all one can hope for. That along with some common sense and the shared knowledge of people like those on PKF go a long ways.
Sorry to hear about your mishap Bigkid. Am looking forward to seeing your QR system(s) some time. I'm sure we will meet up since you are in WA.

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD Jeff, when you flip a buggy , your butt will stay right in the seat. And it will happen so fast you won't even see it happening.I was flying hotwired and hit a clump of dune grass in a powerslide, http://www.vimeo.com/16678110

I know better than most and it still hurts to watch, OUCH. Heal up and try again:wee:

Quote:

Quote: I know better than most and it still hurts to watch, OUCH. Heal up and try again:wee:

You know it! I'm gonna do it some more , but i'm gonna stay clear of the dune grass clumps. I need a tropical system to come and clear the beach again.

Quote:

Originally posted by kteguru The Combat is worse than the pink skirt Don. First it got Jeff then you. Better be careful with that bad boy:roll:

I can't blame the kite, it was my choice of riding terrain, I should have stayed away from the clumps. But I was havin a blast slidin' through them.
I did not know this was the kite that hurt Jeff. You can't underestimate its size . It is deceiving, cause it pulls like a 5.5m or a 6m.
sorry for the hijack leojim

Ditto on the hijack, but it was the 2.4 Combat the wasn't nice to me.

No hijack taken. Besides I'm getting a kick out of the discussion.....what's worse, a pink shirt or a man eating kite! A good discussion was had and it can't go on forever.

I still want to see the QR systems you have Bigkid. Maybe the next time you go to Quincy to eat some sod.:wee:

Quote:

Originally posted by Leojim I still want to see the QR systems you have Bigkid. Maybe the next time you go to Quincy to eat some sod.:wee:

Sorry to say I don't eat sod, but you are more than welcome to come and see greatness in action
(won't be for at least a couple of months) so you have time to practice.:P

Just kidding about eating sod :saint: ...if anybody is going to do that, I'm a prime candidate LOL. Today I got to be dragged through the snow. Also found out it's pretty hard to get back up on skiis without poles! If I had the skill I imagine I could use the kite to pick me back up, but....nooooo, not happening!