Kite Safety
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Clothing
For most Kite Sports, Protective clothing should be considered essential, and should include a helmet (or Lid) and optionally knee pads, elbow pads or even full body armour.
In addition, Kite Safety Systems are provided with most traction kites and you should make it your business to know how to use and reset them should a hazzard arrise.
Safety systems
The most basic, and usually under estimated safety device available come in the form of Kite Killers. These are made up of a Velcro wrist strap for each arm, from which a length of bungee cord will be attached which in turn attaches to the kite lines. Usually it will be attached to the brake lines of the kite either on the leader lines, the handle itself or a short distance up the brake line.
With kite killers applied all anyone needs to do is to let go of the handles and let the bungee of the killers keep the kite connected to you whilst taking the power out of the kite. Once the kite killers have absorbed the initial power they should make the kite land at which point you can regain control or have somebody hold the kite so you can walk towards it and grab it yourself. Other kite safety arrangements are discussed further in the safety systems section.
Flying site safety
As well as making sure that you have all the right safety gear, make sure that you are flying in safe conditions. For some guidelines, see safe places to fly and consider doing a simple risk assessment for your chosen site.
Considering other site users
Please always consider not only your own safety, but the safety of others using the same area possibly for other uses. In addition to this also consider insurance cover in case after taking all precautions, something does go wrong.
--Badger 18:05, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
