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Nice to have vs. Must Have - Safety Equipment
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beej

Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts

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PostWed Jun 22, 11 7:33 am    Nice to have vs. Must Have - Safety Equipment Reply with quote

So I know there is some contention around what safety equipment one must own, so I'm wondering if you all could classify for me, in your opinion which items are nice to have vs. a must have.

- Knife
- PFD
- Helmet
- Kiting Buddy - Does is matter where you are? (E.G. HR/Sauvies/Coast)
- Anything Else?

So far, I have only kited with a knife, but I'm a beginner, and would love to learn from others mistakes!

Thoughts?

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beej

Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts

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PostWed Jun 22, 11 8:25 am    Bueller? Reply with quote

49 Views and No Responses?

Nobody wants to go on the record? I know opinions may vary widely, but I'd like to poll you all before I decide for myself what is necessary!

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Youkai

Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
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PostWed Jun 22, 11 8:41 am     Reply with quote

Relax dude. People on here have opinions and they are not shy about sharing them. You will get responses. Most of those views are probably people checking the site at work on their break. They will respond later.

For me I would say the number one thing for new kiters is a PDF or wetsuit with enough buoyancy to keep you on the surface. You are going to be body dragging a lot and it will help to not have to worry about staying on the surface in addition to keeping your kite in the air and not losing your board.

Along with that I would say enough insulation that you can stay in the water for a minimum of 30 minutes without becoming hypothermic. Shit happens and you are going to end up in the water for a long period of time at some point. When you start getting cold your hands and brain do not work as well and that can turn a minor snafu into a terrible situation.

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beej

Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts

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PostWed Jun 22, 11 8:47 am    I know... Reply with quote

I know Youkai, I'm just kidding. It was just tongue in cheek, because I know that everyone here doesn't shy away from sharing their opinions. Smile

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safetychek

Since 07 Nov 2006
72 Posts
Hood River
 



PostWed Jun 22, 11 8:53 am    Safety Equipment Reply with quote

Knife - must. I'd upgrade from the model that might have come with your harness. The forum has had a survey on which is best. I personally use CRKT fixed blade with a rounded point, and yes I have had to use it one time.

Helmet - must.

PFD - optional, but I would at least wear an impact vest. Your wetsuit provides a fair amount of flotation.

Wetsuit - must. Warm enough for you to hang out in the river for at least an hour, in case you have a breakdown and have to self rescue/swim. If you are kiting right next to the Hood River, the water temp is probably 10 degrees colder than "advertised". Remember the Columbia river temp never gets much above 70 degrees. And a short suit isn't going to cut it if you have to hang out in the water for a long time.

Retractable Leash - nice. Don't attach unless you have a breakdown and have to swim. Lots of opinions on this on the forum.

Kiting buddy is a nice idea, especially if he can get your board.

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Youkai

Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
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PostWed Jun 22, 11 8:58 am    Re: Safety Equipment Reply with quote

safetychek wrote:
PFD - optional, but I would at least wear an impact vest. Your wetsuit provides a fair amount of flotation.

I second this. I wear a 5 mil wetsuit for the flotation with an impact vest. Last season a guy got yarded in the water at SI and his bar jabbed him in the ribs and most likely cracked at least one of them. At that point I got an impact vest. One time I forgot to wear it and it surprised me how much of a difference it made even during normal kiting.

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beej

Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts

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PostWed Jun 22, 11 9:06 am    Wetsuit Reply with quote

Do you recommend a full suit even in the summer, or is a 2-2.5 mm shorty fine for summer?

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Youkai

Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
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PostWed Jun 22, 11 9:12 am     Reply with quote

A lot of people don't wear a suit at all when it's warm enough. Last season was my rookie season and I wore my 5/4/3 all season because I spent a lot of my time in the water and I liked the flotation. "Otter like buoyancy" as Steve coined it. I just let water down the neck when I got hot.

A shorty would be fine if it's warm enough. If you need more flotation but don't want a full suit you could try a kayak PFD. I keep meaning to go look at one and see if it will fit above my harness. I think some people have mentioned before there are also PFD's that are designed to work around harnesses now as well. Most regular PFD's tend to be too tall to work well with a waist harness though.

EDIT: Also I'm going to start carrying a second saftey tether (as opposed to a leash) on my harness. Then if my kite gets tangled or something and I have my board with me I can lash to it so I don't have to worry about losing it and can focus on the kite; but I also have a quick release if I need it.

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safetychek

Since 07 Nov 2006
72 Posts
Hood River
 



PostWed Jun 22, 11 9:54 am    Wetsuit Reply with quote

Agree with most everything except for the wetsuit.
The Columbia River temp typically hits a high of 72-74 at the end of August.
A typical light weight shorty isn't warm enough for that long swim.
An alternative is to use that 5 mil at the beginning of the season and pick up a 3/2 convertible suit with sleeves for those really warm days.

Don't underestimate the value of wetsuit booties (high tops).

FYI..CGWA swap meet this Sunday at the HR Expo Center, and Windance swap meet on July 3.

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forrest

Since 21 Jun 2005
4329 Posts
Hood River
Hick

CGKA Member


PostWed Jun 22, 11 10:42 am     Reply with quote

I've never really carried anything like that with me. If I'm kiting somewhere sketchy where it's hard to get back to shore, I use the buddy system. Otherwise, the occasional helmet when I am hitting sliders. Lots of people carry a knife but I haven't really heard of many people using them. If you're wearing a 5mm wetsuit, you don't need a PFD as you've got plenty of buoyancy. Helmets and PFDs are usually accompanied by a board leash, thus cancelling out any safety you might have had. Also, a PFD can make body dragging more difficult.

Honestly, I don't think any of that stuff is necessary other than the buddy system.

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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostWed Jun 22, 11 10:45 am     Reply with quote

Must have safety equipment?

1. kite knife
2. wetsuit warm enough for the swim
3. common sense


Safety equipment that is probably a good idea

1. helmet

Safety equipment for poor swimmers or really "safety" oriented people

1. life jacket

Safety equipment for someone that doesn't know a fucking thing
1. real leash

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Bettyboarder

Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
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PostWed Jun 22, 11 11:37 am     Reply with quote

write your name and phone # on your board, pump & bag it will save u one day
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krueg

Since 16 Feb 2010
51 Posts
Wenatchee Wa
 

CGKA Member


PostWed Jun 22, 11 12:20 pm     Reply with quote

Listen to Monkeyboy! #1 thing is common sense.

As far as must haves, warm wet suit, kite knife, helmet(optional)
Board leash and PFD: bad idea.
If you can't retrieve your board on your own you should either stay where its shallow or kite with an experianced buddy.
In my opinion a PFD is just a huge pain in the ass. It makes body dragging to your board a nightmare. plus you look funny wearing it.

Knowledge is your best safety accesory. know your limits and know your equipment, and practice self rescue every once in a while.

By the way the more crap you wear while kiting the less fun you have. my opinion.

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beej

Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts

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PostWed Jun 22, 11 12:30 pm    Wetsuit Thickness? Reply with quote

Ok, so if you are are beginner, and may be spending some time in the water, would a 5 mil full suit be too hot for year round? I'm so out of my element. Sorry for all the probing!

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krueg

Since 16 Feb 2010
51 Posts
Wenatchee Wa
 

CGKA Member


PostWed Jun 22, 11 12:40 pm     Reply with quote

Having a thinner suit for summer is ideal, however if you don't have that option, you can use the thick suit (which will be very hot if you dont fall often) or go suitless but stay in a safe area where you can get to shore quickly if something goes wrong.

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cnett

Since 23 Aug 2010
115 Posts
PDX
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PostWed Jun 22, 11 3:39 pm     Reply with quote

I prefer to wear a PFD, but have yet to find one that works well with my waist harness. Suggestions?

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Gorgegezzer

Since 14 Jan 2007
67 Posts

 



PostWed Jun 22, 11 5:36 pm    impact vest not a pfd Reply with quote

Like the previous people have said, you may want to use an impact vest, which is not a pfd (life jacket). Promotion sells one, as do other companies, which I have and like very much. It provides a little extra floation and is designed specifically to accomodate a harness. Really not needed but I think I cracked a rib or bruised one anyway some years back windsurfing. Since then, I have liked wearing one. Is does slow you down a little when swimming, so there is a trade off.
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