While Florida’s beaches are beautiful from any angle, many visitors are drawn to the idea of seeing them from above. One of the most popular ways to do this is with parasailing, which involves passengers being towed hundreds of feet in the air by a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a parachute-like canopy.
While parasailing is a thrilling activity enjoyed by numerous people each year, it occasionally causes accidents that result in death or catastrophic injury. In fact, according to the Parasail Safety Council, more than 70 people were killed and at least 1,800 were injured while parasailing between 1982 and 2012. Here are some of the most common causes of parasailing accidents:
- Bad weather – and the failure to monitor bad weather. Specifically, strong winds (over 10-15 mph) are among the most common causes of serious parasailing accidents, as they may cause towlines to snap or other mechanical failures. Parasailing operators should not send passengers up in windy conditions, and should continuously monitor the weather and promptly bring passengers back down if poor conditions appear imminent.
- Equipment failure. There are many components to parasailing equipment, and if any of them are not properly maintained or are subjected to bad weather, they could break, potentially causing severe accidents. This may occur when towlines have not been properly stored or are not replaced despite showing signs of wear and tear, when safety harnesses malfunction, or when the canopy lines become entangled and cause the canopy to fall.
- Striking fixed objects. Whether due to equipment failure, bad weather, inexperienced operators, or a combination of the three, one of the most severe types of parasailing accidents occurs when passengers collide with fixed objects.
- Drowning under the parachute. If the parasail falls into the water, one of the greatest risks is that passengers will become entangled or trapped by the parachute, thereby causing them to drown.
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While parasailing accidents are relatively rare, they typically cause tragic, life-altering consequences for victims and their families. At Leighton Law, we have represented several of these victims, leading our team to spearhead Florida’s cornerstone parasailing safety law: the Amber May Law. The impetus for this law was the heartbreaking case of Amber May White, a 15-year-old girl who died from head trauma and internal injuries after her parasail line snapped in high winds, causing her and her sister to crash into a building.
With extensive experience in this area, the team at Leighton Law is here to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a parasailing accident. Call us today at 888.988.1774 to schedule a consultation.
FAQs
Contusions are one of the most common injuries stemming from a parasailing accident. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and broken bones are other common injuries. Severe parasailing accidents can cause death.
How often does parasailing go wrong? ›
Parasailing accidents, though relatively rare, can have catastrophic consequences when they do happen. Each year, between three and five million individuals partake in this exhilarating activity. Over the span of three decades, the Parasail Safety Council noted 1,800 injuries and 70 fatalities due to parasailing.
What are the odds of a parasailing accident? ›
According to parasailing accidents statistics, between three and five million people enjoy parasailing each year. Over 30 years, the Parasail Safety Council estimates a total of 1,800 injuries and fatalities have occurred. On average, that is approximately 60 parasailing accidents per year.
Is parasailing high risk? ›
Severe parasailing accidents can turn fatal in the right conditions. We've mentioned drowning under the parachute in the water, but people can drown if they fall into the water too far from land. They can also die from high-speed collisions.
Who should not parasail? ›
Fear of Heights: You should not parasail if you panic easily; or have fear of heights; or for any other reason that makes you feel uncomfortable or hesitant to parasail.
What happens if parasail rope breaks? ›
Line Separation: If the line attaching the parasailer to the boat snaps or releases for some reason, the parasailers will float free with no control, which means they could crash into a building or land ashore, with no control over their speed.
When should you not go parasailing? ›
A good rule of thumb is to look at the beach umbrellas. If it's too windy to set one up, then it's not a good time to go parasailing. You shouldn't be parasailing if the winds are a sustained 20 mph or higher.
How do parasailing accidents happen? ›
Here are some of the most common causes of parasailing accidents: Bad weather – and the failure to monitor bad weather. Specifically, strong winds (over 10-15 mph) are among the most common causes of serious parasailing accidents, as they may cause towlines to snap or other mechanical failures.
What wind speed is safe for parasailing? ›
Although a nice boat and reliable canopy are important factors contributing to a parasailing experience, this activity is more dependent upon weather conditions. The ideal parasailing flight will see winds ranging from 12 to 27 miles per hour.
Do people get sick parasailing? ›
If riding in a car doesn't make you nauseous, then parasailing probably won't either! But if you are prone to motion sickness, you should consider taking Dramamine prior to arrival. The boat ride is more likely to make you sick than any other part of your parasailing experience.
Each flight is up in the air for 6-8 minutes, and the remainder of the time is spent on the boat for around 45 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of customers on the boat. What happens if weather prevents us from parasailing?
Is parasailing safe for beginners? ›
Just about anyone can parasail! Generally speaking, as long as you are over 4 years old and weigh less than 400 pounds, you can fly. There is no experience necessary, and you don't even need to know how to swim.
Can you survive a parasailing fall? ›
Because of the nature of parasailing, even a minor equipment failure can have deadly results. Most parasailing accidents result in serious, catastrophic injuries or fatalities because people are suspended in the air via a towline at staggering heights.
Is parasailing worth it? ›
However, there are many great reasons to try parasailing. Not only will you be able to soar like a bird, but you will also get to enjoy the view of the water and the surrounding area. Whether you are a novice or an experienced paraglider, parasailing is a fun way to overcome fear of heights.
What is the safest way to parasail? ›
A widely accepted rule in parasailing safety is the 3-to-1 rule of distance from shore. If the operator lets out 500 feet of line, he should be no closer to shore than 1500 feet. Ask your operator how much line he puts out during the ride and how far from the beach he will operate.
