Parasailing or parakiting is a sport wherein a person is pulled behind an anchor object, typically a boat but in some cases a car or motorbike, and they are lifted in the air by way of a parasail which looks very similar to a parachute. The parasail allows them to drift behind the anchor object several feet in the air. It’s a very popular sport at beach resorts where there is enough open water for a boat to achieve the speed necessary to successfully pull a person behind it, as this speed provides the lift needed for a successful sail.
Statistics About Parasailing
It can be difficult to qualify all the statistics about parasailing accidents as there are no true federal regulations that govern and oversee parasailing operations, or that require accidents to be reported to authorities. Hospitals may gather this information as accidents are treated but these numbers may be inaccurate or incomplete as well.
Those agencies that do follow parasailing and any resultant accidents report that:
1. There are some 238 commercial parasailing operations in the United States and surrounding territories that conduct approximately 1,240,430 parasailing incidents every year.
2. The sport is enjoyed by an estimated 3.8 million people every year in these locations alone.
3. These operations include approximately 637 commercial parasailing vessels for towing; most are speedboats.
4. In parasailing incidents that result in fatalities, some 95% of these are the direct result of the glider being unable to escape or evacuate from the harness following a water landing, often in high winds or the result of choppy waters.
Parasailing Defined
Parakiting is slightly different than parasailing as a person may use simple wind lift for parakiting and not an anchor object, much like how a kite is not anchored to anything as it sails. For parakiting, a smaller sail is used and the glider must have more control over their direction and movements for a successful sail.
Both sports have inherent dangers as both offer limited control as to a person’s height off the ground and direction in which they sail. In parasailing, the boat or anchor object is mostly responsible for the direction of the glider and caution must be exercised as to one’s speed and direction. The equipment used for parasailing must also be examined properly and thoroughly as this holds a glider’s weight and also keeps them safely balanced in the air. When a parasail separates from its tow line the sail itself can keep a glider in the air but with little control over their direction, speed, or distance from the ground. External factors such as high winds or choppy waters for boats can also make both sports more dangerous and increase a glider’s risk of injury.
As the sport has become more popular throughout the U.S. and other areas, it has also been modified to accommodate the gliders themselves. As an example, heavier harnesses are often used for increased weight or sail payload. Smaller sails can help to increase the lift of those parakiting. Some modifications increase the safety of parasailing such as those heavier harnesses, whereas others increase the risk factors for accident and injury.
Finding a Safe Company for Parasailing
For vacationers, finding the right company that offers parasailing is vitally important for reducing risk of accidents. It’s recommended that a vacationer find out how long they’ve been in business, and that they are licensed by the state in which they operate. The boat’s captain should also be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. This will ensure rider safety as the captain needs to navigate the waters and control the speed and direction of the boat for a safe experience.
Increased Risk Factors
Statistics show that the greatest factors for increased risk of accident during parasailing include:
• Poor weather conditions. Any parasailer should check for the chance of rain, high winds, or fog. Any such conditions should keep a person grounded even if they seem slight and manageable.
• Poor quality equipment. Check all harnesses and the sail itself before heading out. Test it thoroughly before each sail.
• Lack of understanding of safety procedures. Because most fatalities involve the inability to get out of the harness quickly and easily, it’s vital that a parasailer understand how the harness and all equipment works, and also understands what to do in case of an unexpected water landing.
• Poorly trained staff on the anchor object. A reputable company with highly trained staff will understand how to pull a parasailer safely through waters and will also respond to poor water and weather conditions. This is why it’s vital for any parasailer to check the qualifications of any company before heading out, and to use extreme caution when parasailing with friends and others who are untrained in the sport.