Carnage at the Worlds

The same day I read the blogs complaining about the number of reserve tosses, tree arrivals, hospital admissions and the unfortunate death of a young Swiss paraglider pilot at the recent world paragliding championship competition in Mexico I happened to stumble across an online video showing in graphic detail the fatal crash of a young man jumping a motorcycle in a motocross competition.

I've been told that it is now rare for a NASCAR racer to die in a year of competition, and it seems that the number of deaths in unlimited hydroplane boat racing have dropped off considerably since changes were incorporated in the sport, such as mandating closed cockpits.

Don't recall ever hearing of a golfer being fatally injured in a competition, but, considering the speed of a golf ball I'd be surprised if some unfortunate individual hasn't been done in by one of the little white devils; and I'm quite sure the statistics regarding the number of golfers dropping dead on the links each year are rather impressive in any case.

I watched a young man bleed to death one afternoon in my operating room under my care and in spite of my efforts who's last memory was probably jumping over a sand dune on his ATV racing with his brother.

Every moment we make decisions regarding the delicate balance of risks and rewards in the conduct of our lives. What is acceptable or unreasonable, what is encouraged or prohibited, what seems logical or insane is largely determined not only by individuals but by the culture at large within which these individuals function. Complex variables determine what sort of judgement society chooses to place on a given behavior or activity. One death is considered heroic, another called a tragic waste. One paraplegic is a celebrated victim of an unfortunate accident, another paraded as a fool to have tried what they failed to accomplish.

I knew a man who became a paraplegic body surfing on his honeymoon. He went on to live a full life only to die shortly after falling from the deck of his summer cottage and breaking his neck yet again.

I submit that that which truly brings joy should be celebrated. When it turns to disaster let us tend towards consolation, contemplation and cooperation. Maybe leaning towards better helmets is a reasonable trade off for some freedoms surrendered, and if they set limits on the bats in baseball perhaps we can tolerate some on the gliders used in competition. Bottom line is probably to straighten out our thinking and figure out how to improve the risk:reward ratio in pilot behavior.

To lee or not to lee. . .

I didn't know the Swiss pilot who died Friday at the World's Paragliding Competition in Valle de Bravo, but, I knew Downwind Dave and Bruce Tracey. All three of these men were very experienced paraglider pilots and they all died flying. Those of us who are left behind to carry on can honor their memory as we grow our tribal wisdom.

I think all three of these aviators lost their lives in the lee. Sailors and pilots are trained to beware the lee lest they be dashed upon the rocks. On the other hand even Goldsmith has pointed out that "every thermal starts as a rotor," and reminds us to "please take all possible precautions when considering flying in the lee."

The next time I risk the lee to hunt for lift the whispers of Stephan, Dave, and Bruce Tracey will probably be louder than my vario. Your wingman doesn't have to be physically present to help keep you alive.

---RWS