Well my friends, I've got to say I'm very glad to be writing this, because it means I'm writing anything. I was out kite skating yesterday on some grass fields under my 9m Frenzy and having a grand old time. Winds were transitioning from moderate to strong as the afternoon progressed. While I was setting up I had spied a good sized dirt devil on a nearby baseball diamond so there were definitely some rogue gusts in the area. As per usual I was covered head to toe with body armor including a decent ski helmet though not the full motorcycle helmet I sometimes wear but avoided yesterday because of the heat. Same stuff I've got on in my Avatar pic.

What I'm writing next is based on witness accounts, not my own memory. A fellow Kiter said a rogue gust came through and picked me up like a paper doll, swung me up and out like a pendulum with me about 30-40 feet in the air and then slammed me to the ground. I was supposedly out cold for 4-5 minutes. I have a ghost memory of the kite powering up a lot but then absolutely nothing.

He supposedly got me to give my wife's phone number and he reached her. The field is actually within sight of our local hospital and I was able to walk to his car and he and his girlfriend drove me to the ER. I was completely out of it and barely remember the ride much less what sort of car it was.

Got me into the ER and out of all my gear but I don't remember them taking it all off. I do remember them telling me that all my gear might have saved my life, so I guess it was good for more than just warding off paper cuts. All CT scans and X-rays were negative, but man, I feel like I've been in a car wreck. Slept in a home theater chair last night because it hurt too much to lie down.

I must have slammed to the ground on my right side because my right hip and right shoulder are badly contused. I might have seperated my shoulder at the AC joint but a follow up with my orthopedic surgeon will give me more on that later. My rib cage and sternum hurt quite a bit, probably what somebody would feel like when they get flung to the ground from 30 ft in the air.

My wife has the guys number that helped me initially and I want to thank him and set him up with some good local whiskey (he mentioned High West). A friend of mine and new member of PKF, Shawn Wiest (Land&Sea) also helped out by gathering up my gear that was left at the field. Thanks Shawn!

My wife was scared out of her mind and broke down crying several times which made me feel like dog crap. She further had to cancel a trip to her brother today to watch her neice compete in swimming in North Carolina which further sucks. Now she gets to stay home and care for her idiot 55 year old husband.

I guess if there is a moral to this story it is to really, really respect the nature of these activities and stay protected. All my safety gear did likely play a role in me still being alive and my helmet certainly did. I wish to heck I had been flying one of my glorified bed sheets yesterday (it would have been the 9m P2 based on conditions). I'm sure I would have been lofted and slammed to the ground but I bet I would have only gone half as high.

To add insult to injury, on my discharge papers from the ER I am described as a 55 year old man, non-athlete. The age, heck, just a number, but the descriptor? Ouch.

I'm sorry your wife had to endure such a terrifying moment in your life. I totally understand the emotions and fear that are still grasping at her heart.
As for you young man, I'm glad you are still able to stop, look, and listen. I totally understand were your at. The only thing I can say is good thing your mind still believes your still 18.
Take a bit of time and reflect on the important stuff and hug the ones that are standing close. Take some time to heal, address the lives of those closest to you and see what happens. Not many people get a second chance.....
Been were your at and totally understand, get well soon.

Glad you're okay man. Glad you were wearing the gear.

Feeling like you were in a car wreck is about right. A lot of G's in that kind of impact. Fortunately nothing is broken and a possible AC separation is always better than a level 3 separation.

Gusty conditions can be a challenge on a good day and downright dangerous on a bad day. The problem is you can never tell what you're going to get until you get it. We wear helmets always. Molly's helmet saved her in her crash for sure. Even static flying, helmet.

Sux about your wife having to change plans. And the next few months of trying to explain to people how her 55 year old donkey husband but wrecked flying a kite. :P

It happens. Even to those with the most experience, things can and do go wrong. But taking precautions really improves your odds of just getting beat up vs. getting broken or worse.

Glad you're okay.

So sorry here about this accident. Hope you recover soon and thank goodness for your safety gear.

BTW - when you are feeling better, perhaps a post with info on your safety gear and a few pictures would be helpful for everyone to see.

Quote: Originally posted by Randy

So sorry here about this accident. Hope you recover soon and thank goodness for your safety gear. BTW - when you are feeling better, perhaps a post with info on your safety gear and a few pictures would be helpful for everyone to see.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=32153#pid31...

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=32153#pid31...

:o:o:o

Holy crap Steve.....! Glad you came through relatively unbroken...and sorry for your trauma. Rest up and heal quick.

When I saw the title of thread-obviously- I knew it was a very bad incident...yet since you were writing at all-as you said- so soon from your last post.... and soon after this accident...... somehow I was hopeful that it wasn't a worst case scenario. Slowly my gut untightened a bit as I read through, understanding it wasn't going to be so horrible- despite being as bad as it was. 30 feet is a tremendous height to be slammed into the ground.


As you try to understand what happened, despite the memory loss, I guess you will also come to some ideas about how to try and avoid such an accident again-if possible....or rule it just as a freak crazy rogue wind . I hope you can prevent anything like this from happening again.... if there is perhaps anything you might find you may have done differently. I don't know. Things can just happen as said.

Thank gosh you had a helmet and other safety gear on.

Obviously.. a safety release with a kite does not mean you cannot be lofted(by releasing), as in many cases things just happen too quickly. Imagine while knocked out if the kite inflated again and re-lofted you, or even dragged you injured giving further trauma.

Lucky others were around to help. A reflection regarding safety about kiting alone, perhaps...?


It's going to be tough conversation with your wife to explain what went wrong, that you are always careful...but...but...?
...and most importantly, why you should still be participating in the sport of power kiting. How can she not have fear when you go back out to play in the future?

When one reads about this it causes one to re-examine their own choices in flying and safety precautions.

You are not the only one to have had such a horrific accident, but it's not a club any of us want to join .
But many who aren't in that club, like myself, still do empathize, sympathize, and wish you all the best.

I hope you will get back out after the appropriate time, and we will celebrate your next (safe and successful)outing.

Finally....glad the accident and injuries didn't knock the humor out of you:

Quote:

To add insult to injury, on my discharge papers from the ER I am described as a 55 year old man, non-athlete. The age, heck, just a number, but the descriptor? Ouch.

How dare they!

Wow and ouch! Rag-doll isn't anything we ever want to hear. I'm glad you're (comparatively) alright.
There's something about being "non-athlete" that works in our favour; plastic courage and extra caution likely means that it's not as bad as it could've been.
The bad news is that the "I told you so" will probably outlast the healing process... I hope both of them are brief for you (and your wife).
Heal fast,
Howard

Glad it wasn't worse and hope you heal quick. Also, glad you had other kiters nearby. What's that like? I'm almost exclusively by myself.

Tell the wife not to worry and to look at the bright side. She could have married a boring golfer instead of someone who likes to have fun

wow glad you're ok , might want to think about a neck roll, motox has good ones.

Good your up to writing...real glad your ok
Soo...dibs on the frenzy...juskidin, bedsheets can beat a guy up just as good don't you worry
As far as the wife...it all just changed

Heal up fast

Wow. Your armor saved you ass.. hoping you have a thorough recovery.
Prescription ibuprofen, scotch and a good cigar.

Quote: Originally posted by KAZEDOKA

Wow. Your armor saved you ass.. hoping you have a thorough recovery. Prescription ibuprofen, scotch and a good cigar.

Thanks buddy. Had somebody call that an internal alcohol rub earlier today. Hah! Hadn't considered a cigar but an excellent idea. 600 mg ibu every 6 hours.

To all my friends that have weighed in. Great thanks to all. Yesterday I was feeling like 10 lbs of dung in a five pound bag. Have improved to 8 lbs. Come back kid.

I am so sorry you got snatched up by a Devil! I have seen how fast it can go bad on the dry lakes. Makes me feel bad about winging this morning because we will have another 8 - 10kt smooth wind day.

At our age bouncing back doesn't happen as fast. Take that extra time to heal right!

I really didn't expect to here this story from you. While we have never met I feel you make smart choices. Those smart choices paid off!

I find it interesting how you blank out going up? I have been lifted to about 20+ feet a couple of times and was fortunate enough to keep the kite overhead and come down soft. You are fortunate people were there! I wonder if they can tell you why the kite didn't slow you? I learned that being out on a small lake by a road side does not qualify as not alone. People who saw me lofted just drove off thinking it's part of the game.

You have done us all a great service. Proving that kites and stones can break your bones but plastic courage can save you!

Heal Well!


:bigok:

Sorry to hear about this, thanks for sharing. Hope you heal up quick! When you started explaining a 9m Frenzy in moderate to strong on skates I thought, WOW! I rebuilt the bridals on a 2010 9m Frenzy someone cut up, and it files fine, but still have not used it on the landboard. After getting a dozen stiches in the chin experiencing a superman landing on handles and kite killers (with a full face dirtbike helmet on), I have toned my landboarding. The 9m is a great kite but I want to have a soft landing in water if I am lofted/boosting a 9m depower kite. On land 15m+ and light winds for me to do liftoffs anymore. For us old guys healing takes a bit longer, take it easy and get a full recovery, when you do get back out there you will appreciate it even more.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

At our age bouncing back doesn't happen as fast..... I find it interesting how you blank out going up? I have been lifted to about 20+ feet a couple of times ........ :bigok:

bounce back, hahahahaha

I remember leaving the buggy and thinking this isnt going to be good. the next thing I remember was looking at the ground as I was headed head first back to the beach, my last thought was to tuck and role.
My next thought was "SOMEONE GRAB THE F#@&^*G KITE." As I lay there all wrapped up in kite lines, I dont remember anymore of my OBE.
I asked the trama surgeon about it and he said its a natural response to the G-force. Which was more than you could handle physically. If you had your flight suit on you more than likely wouldnt have blacked out.
As for the kite floating you back to earth, its not a parachute. After you reach your apex, the kite is no longer powered up much like letting go of the handles and watching the kite fall out of the sky.
Not every OBE is slow enough to be aware of all aspect and maintain control of the kite.

Dont try to over think the mishap, it is what it is. Would it have happened if you were flying another kite? really? the one you were flying was the one you wanted to fly.
Kiting is not without risk, only thing you can do is fly and eventually crash. Its the law of flight. Sooner or later it will happen.
I only know of 3 people who have had major OBE's that have not returned to the sport. All the others have got back out under the lines and never looked back.

Hang in there, youll be back at it soon enough.

(just reading about your accident made me hurt so I took a pain pill just to make it through the rest of this post)

I most certainly have the mindset of getting back on the horse. That's really not the problem here. The issue is the family dynamic. My wife is truly my best friend and the love of my life and I truly don't like bringing her angst. It was really hard to see her break down and cry yesterday.

Be on the lookout for sale items of my "lofty" kites, viz., 9m Frenzy, 12m Summit, and 15m Summit. They are all in great shape and I can personally vouch for the lift the Frenzy has. Abkayak already claimed dibs on the Frenzy but he was probably kidding. U2U if interested in getting those deals off the street before I post for the feeding frenzy.

Anybody serious about some skating gear please U2U me as that stuff is the least likely to be used again. Mitts off my buggy. You'll be seeing that again at IBX 2017!

So glad that you are ok, good thing you were wearing your protective gear. Hope the healing is fast and painless.

D-A-M-N!!!! That's a harrowing tale if ever I've read one. Sincere wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

Frank

HOLY CR@9 STEVE!!!... I'm SO SO SO SO sorry this happened. I have totally been in your shoes as you know and the feelings of helplessness and having hurt or scared my wife FAR outweighed any of the physical pain... we had some serious "Come-to-Jesus" meetings after my accident and I can completely empathize with your current state. I hated most the feeling of guilt watching my wife have to take care of our kids with me being unable to do anything.

I am very happy for you that you were geared up the way you were; that certainly saved you some pain and medical bills!

Wifey will come around, but it may take some time.

I am clearly effected by your news.

Today I backed out of a pretty reasonable situation. Winds were a nice clean 10kts that hit 14 for a short while. They were 8 when I headed out and had to walk a mile to the park so only took the 18m Phantom. The whole way there the voices in my head were screamin' at me to back out. My kite was acting up ( like the inside strap is getting caught up ). I found myself with the kite not launching and resting about 15ft in front of the bench and trees I must avoid. Wiggled it over a went to safety. I was unreasonably scared?

Even after Tristen showed up and we tried to launch again I chose to " live to kite another day" . Fact is, If I had let my balls drop and figure out what was going on with the kite I would have had a great day.

So ..... instead of getting out on Coyotes in your honour today, I chickened out! I am part mad and part proud of my choice?

This could happen to any of us. Very glad you dressed for the crash instead of the ride and very nice to have folks around to assist. Hugs to your wife for worrying about you.

id just like to add that I feel your accident and wish you a speedy recovery. it sucks to get injured but stay strong and youll be 100% before you know it

Sorry for the rough and tumble but glad you are on the mend! Hope they were able to give you some good meds for pain. A good pharmacist will keep you out of trouble with usage and dosing.

Props for a loving wife to take care of you.

Heal fast and feel better soon.

wow what a freak accident. I guess all that plastic did pay off. Did u get hit by the dirt devil or just a rogue gust of wind? The part about the non athelete was funny. get well soon.

let me add. you have to check the forecast everyday before you kite. sometimes you have a cool weather front that might be moving in at a specific time of the day . these can cause rogue gust on a perfectly clear day I have been hit by these types before and ususlly thre is a small sudden gust first with a change in direction or just irratic behavior from the kite and then the full blown system moves in a few seconds later with the dramatic increase in wind speed. Always pull your release right away , when sht hits the fan in kiting you only have max 2 seconds to react.

thank steve for sharing with us .
it keep remind me thing are not always work well as planned .
so sorry that you had to learn it the hard way .
Glad that you are OK .
heel fast mate and come out stronger and wiser .

Was really kinda hoping to borrow that 9m when visiting out there...jusayin

Sorted through my gear today. Amazed everything actually made it back from the ER. I had spied a wrist guard on the counter not with my stuff in my exam room and had gotten it with my other stuff. 100% retrieval!

Below are pictures of two helmets. The black one is the one I was wearing (note how well used it is) and the multi-colored one is the one I wish I had been wearing but had avoided for thermal reasons. The latter will be the exclusive helmet of choice moving forward.

Speaking of moving forward, while I was outside on our driveway this morning untangling the Frenzy's lines (it had bee more or less bunched up in a heated mess and brought with me to the ER) my wife asked what I was doing. I told her I was untangling everything so I could get it ready for sale. She then asked me the most wonderful question: "Why do you want to sell it?". That's my girl! I told her about what Big Kid had said which was I had been flying the kite I wanted to fly that day but that I no longer wanted to fly this kite. "Yeah, killer kite!" she said laughing before getting into the car and heading off to go swimming. Yeah baby, yeah!



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Steve,
Glad you are okay- it makes me think about my lofting 2 yrs ago that resulted in literally breaking my back in half (complete horizontal fracture of my t11)- I can honestly say that while I have gotten back on the horse- I have reduced my jumping and vertical ascending to clean winds only (on shore breezes)- heres to a speedy recovery
scott