Is Parasailing Safe? – Things to Know Before Parasailing
Parasailing is an exciting activity. There aren’t many experiences like flying in the air as you get pulled by a boat. That leads to the main question any potential parasailer may ask: Is parasailing safe? To answer the question upfront, yes! The accident rate of parasailing is minimal. You can be confident you’ll have a safe, exciting activity if you try parasailing. Before you go parasailing, here are a few basic things you should know:
- The Towline
The most important part of all the parasailing equipment is the towline. This rope attaches the passenger and parasail to the boat. The towline receives a lot of strain from the parasail. Its exposure to sun and seawater can wear the line out. Towline failure is one of the main causes of rare parasailing accidents. Before you go parasailing, make sure to check that the towline you’re using is well-maintained. Worn, faded, or dirty towlines are risky, and you might want to pass on those if you want to protect yourself.
The towline is the lifeline that keeps you with your boat.
- Weather
When parasailing, weather can make or break your fun. If you’re going parasailing with a pleasant breeze, you can be sure you’ll have a great time. If the forecast shows stormy weather, it’s best to avoid parasailing. Constant high wind is not that safe either. Some companies will still push through with parasailing even with less-than-optimal weather. If you know that the weather isn’t so good, follow your gut and cancel your plans. It’s best to save your parasailing for a nice, sunny, summer day!
A sunny day on the beach is great for parasailing!
- Gondola Seat Vs. Harness
There are two ways to parasail: riding on a gondola seat and hanging on a harness. A harness can be more exciting, but sitting in a gondola is safer. If an accident occurs, being in a gondola seat is better than being strapped in a harness when you land on water. Make sure your crew has plans in case of an accident if you use a harness!
Choose the perfect balance of thrill and safety for you!
- Know the Company and Crew
One of the best ways to gain confidence with parasailing is to check out the company and crew you’ll hire. Do they have good reviews? Do they have backup plans in case the towline breaks? How long have they been parasailing? Do they provide instructions or safety videos? If they’re well-known and have solid plans and experience, this can assuage your fears of parasailing with them. If they brag about being able to take you close to the shore or continue to take rides during bad weather, that shows they have less concern for your safety, and you might want to avoid that.
- Learn the Hand Signals
Verbal communication with the boat driver is hard when you’re high in the air, so companies usually use hand signals to communicate with their passengers. These can be for speed, direction, or even for landing. It’s good to know those signals to communicate quickly and effectively when you parasail. Some companies provide microphones, but if those fail, knowing the hand signals will help you stay confident during parasailing.
It’s hard to speak when you’re up in the air!
Parasailing is an exhilarating adventure that millions of people experience at the beach. While it can look scary, the risks of injury are extremely low, and you can make it even lower with a few steps. If you were to choose between the two: paragliding vs. parasailing, parasailing is the safer option. But always remember that if you’re not confident about riding a parasail, it’s always an option to back out. Your peace of mind and safety are still the most important things after all.
- 4 Facts You Didn’t Know About Red Light Therapy - March 18, 2023
- The Top 4 Strategies for Training and Managing Your Dog’s Behavior - March 18, 2023
- These 5 Factors Can Influence Compensation in Truck Accidents - March 18, 2023
