Paragliding Risk Management

January 29, 2011 By

Paragliding Risk Management

Paragliding is categorized as a fairly risky sport by several insurance companies. Apart from getting an insurance quote, you can also try a number of methods that will ensure your safety throughout the whole trip. Getting information and relying only on the experts will ensure that you always have a fun and memorable experience each and every time.

Risk Management

Risk management is one of the most important things you can learn in paragliding school. You have to first talk about safety and promote the overall safety level of the sport. You should learn how to accept your physical limitations, think of yourself and safety first rather than try to grab attention, and accept the limits. There are rules and guidelines that should be followed carefully, regardless of whether you are an advanced paraglider or an amateur. It is important to take careful precautions so that the risks are minimized.

Defining Risk

High risk is considered as unacceptable or taking a risk without any justification or fair reason. High risk should be tolerated only if the benefit is adequate. Risk can also be managed so that the advantages can outweigh the risks. Risks are sometimes considered very small so these cannot be an issue. High risk is not generally acceptable to society or other individuals.

Risk can be measured. It is the result or possibility of a thing or event happening that can cause harm. So the calculation is multiplying the frequency with the severity. Probabilities can be categorized into 5 groups. These are grouped into frequent, probable, occasional, remote and improbable. Severity is also categorized into 4, namely catastrophic, critical, marginal and negligible.

Minimizing Risks

Paragliders need to be mentally aware. You should learn to accept the risks. Be aware of all kinds of accidents that may occur. Take all the necessary precautions against the risks and admit that there are limitations and that safety rules should be followed. You have to choose a mentor and listen to guidelines given by advanced pilots. Learn from the mistakes of others in the past.

Safety First

Check your equipment before going on any paragliding trip. You should secure the proper documents and insurance plan. You should follow the guidelines and tips provided by your instructor. If you do not feel confident about flying alone, you should work with your instructor and follow the radio instructions. Always check the weather, wind and takeoff and landing points.

Filed Under: Paragliding lessons

Paragliding Policemen

January 26, 2011 By

Paragliding Policemen

Paragliding has caught the attention of not only adventurous individuals but men in the police profession, as well. Recently, stories of police officials patrolling on a powered paraglider have surprised the citizens of the United States and Peru.

SOAR

Police officials patrolling with the use of a powered paraglider first started in Palm Bay Florida, USA. The Palm Bay Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in the United States to deploy a team, dubbed SOAR or Search Operations Aerial Response, for search and rescue operations. The Palm Bay Police are aiming to address the city?s problems with missing children and adults, stolen cars and property with the use of an ultra-light gliding aircraft.

SOAR is tasked to do surveillance and scouting, photographing crime scenes, spotting hazards in the city and assessing damage after disasters. Operation SOAR makes routine aerial patrols in selected areas within Palm Bay, where there are a high number of residential burglaries and other crimes of that kind.

Peru’s Gliding Police

Peru’s police department designated a group of policemen and women to patrol in the coasts of Lima. The Head of the Seventh Territorial Direction, Police General Oswaldo Hernandez Revolle proclaimed this innovation of Peru?s law enforcement strategy last November 2009. This innovation was undertaken with the aim of ensuring the safety of the public. Peru?s aerial police on paraglides started their new duty last November 27.

Disadvantages

The idea of police patrolling on a paraglider is deemed ridiculous by many citizens both in the United States and in Peru. The Federal Aviation Administration of the US is not thrilled about the idea of Palm Bay?s Police Department.

The reasons- first of course a powered paraglider only has 18 horsepower. Remember that the operation SOAR actually hopes to catch burglars with the use of a powered paraglider. Eighteen horsepower is only equivalent to a lawn mower. So a powered paraglider can never match the speed of a moving vehicle and criminals are mostly on wheels. Then there?s the problem with the constantly changing and mostly unpredictable air velocity and air direction changes. It will be ridiculous to find policemen being tossed here and there by the wind.

These police agencies also plan to fly the powered paraglider less than 400 feet, which reminds us about a paragliding accident involving a pilot who got caught by the statue of liberty. The statue of liberty stands in the middle of a wide open space, a city on the other hand has several dozens of buildings standing taller than 400 ft.

Paragliding has encouraged a lot of new ideas for innovation but paragliding for police patrolling? Surely, government officials have to rethink this one.

Filed Under: Paragliding lessons, Paragliding Unusual things

Paragliding Insurance – Cover Paragliding Risk as much as possible

January 24, 2011 By

Paragliding Insurance, You may be wondering what is all about? But if you know the basics of any insurance then it is for all those risks in life. So think about Paragliding Insurance if you are really want to enjoy paragliding to max.

Since paragliding includes more risks and dangers compared to the regular sport, it is only fair that insurance is offered and provided to enthusiasts. Some people need to travel halfway across the globe to experience the scenery and programs of various paragliding agencies. You should also make sure that the features are applicable for your case.

Overview

Paragliding is considered by insurance companies as a Grade 3 risk sport. This means that paragliders usually have a high chance of getting injured compared to other sports of lower levels. Sports travel insurance is usually a must if you plan to go paragliding, even if it is only on beginner?s courses or tandem flights. Paragliding can cause different injuries like ankle or knee injuries. You may be hospitalized for several days due to bad landing or collision with other objects or paragliders. More serious injuries include spinal damage or death. Others may have to deal with below the waist paralysis or paraplegia for life.

Insurance Among Other Things

Start searching online for the best insurance companies with a solid background that have true knowledge about the sport. Paragliding should also be done only after you have enough experience and have taken enough lessons to lessen the risk. You should also invest in the right equipment and trainers, since it is done on more hazardous sites like mountainous areas. Weather can also be a hazard if not checked well. Sports travel insurance is important regardless of your location.

The Coverage

The coverage will include specific details of the flight, such as the specified number of days you will be covered for paragliding. Coverage is also given for amateurs to amateur competition level, without any time limit, without participation and only in the right conditions. Insurance is usually taken out before you leave for the place where you’ll be paragliding. Rescue costs are also covered, such as transportation to the hospital.

What’s Not Covered?

A number of countries may not be covered by your insurance policy. Personal accidents are also not covered, especially if these are not involved with the paragliding activity. Personal liability is not covered either. The expedition should be thoroughly described and explained. Paragliding equipment is usually not covered by most insurance companies. You should be responsible for your own materials. There are limitations to the coverage, based on the location. If you go to extremely remote areas, you risk losing coverage altogether.

To Know more best option is to contact your nearest insurance provider who gives insurance cover to paragliders or paragliding associations. Get the best possible Paragliding Insurance and keep your peace of mind.

Filed Under: Paragliding Insurance
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