Thrill That Can Kill

Thrill That Can Kill

Adventure Sports

Bangalore is often referred to as Mecca of adventure sports. Every weekend, hundreds of people, including techies, venture to the outskirts to get their kick. As thrill is directly proportional to the risk, for the younger lot many of them end up endangering  life and limbs in their desire to be there and done that.

There are verities of adventure sports:

Paragliding

It is a recreational and competitive flying sport. A paraglide  is free-flying foot launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing whose shape is formed by its suspense lines and the pressure of the air entering vents in the front of the wing. In case the parachute collapses, there are high chances of the person crashing into tree or directly on the ground. If the weather and wind conditions are not favorable, the person can be blown off the course

Rappelling

In rappelling, you lower yourself down a cliff face, using only a rope, harness and hardware. You depend only on your own strength, courage and skill. The rope usually passes under left thigh and over the right shoulder. A lifeline rope should be provided for the safety of the player. Sometimes the instructors do not provide lifeline rope; this might lead to the major risk of the player falling from a height. There are chances of injury to the spinal chord, knees and elbow. If the harness is not fastened properly, it might break and `result in the person falling from a height. Major head injuries can result if the person is rappelling against a rocky surface.

Proper demonstration of the activity should be given to the person before sending him/her for rappelling. The player should always wear a helmet in order to prevent head injuries. The instructors should carefully handle the situation. In rappelling the rope is anchored to a rock or a boulder, the anchoring should be strong enough and the Organisers should  use two anchors instead of one.

River Crossing

River crossing, also called monkey crossing, involves crossing a river or two buildings or two trees with the help of a rope which is suspended between them.

If the rope suspended between the two ends is loose, there are chances of the player falling down. During the crawling moment, monkey crossing can also lead to spinal chord or slip disc problems. If the harnesses are not properly fastened, there are chances of the person loosing the grip of the rope and falling. The person might loose physical strength half way through the activity.

The ropes should be erected straight and elasticity of the ropes should be checked. People with spinal chord problems should not go for such activities. Amateurs must listen to the instructions given, instead of trying to do it on their own.

River Rafting

It is a challenging activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or water bodies. If helmets and life jackets are not properly fastened, they tend to come off with the rapid flow of water. If the river is very rocky, there are chances of the raft hitting the rocks and overturning. If the raft is not accompanied by a rescue raft or if rescue equipment like ropes and tubes is not provided an accident can turn fatal.

Raft should never be overloaded. The maximum capacity of any raft is ten persons. Life jackets and helmets should be properly fastened. A rescue raft comprising professionals or organizers should always accompany the main raft. For first timers, organizers should organize river rafting in shallow waters.

Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic chord. The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane, but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot air balloon or helicopter that has the ability to hover over one spot on the ground.

In case the rope tied around the bungee jumper is not strong and elastic enough, there are chances of it breaking and jumper falling down. The rope if comes in contact rough surface, can also break. It can be dangerous for those suffering from heart related and joint problems. If they are jumping from great height, it might lead to dislocation of bones or cardiac arrest.

The instructor needs to ensure that all the harnesses are properly fastened. The elasticity of the rope should be adjusted depending on the weight of the jumper. Proper calculation needs to be done, so as to prevent the jumper touching the ground while oscillating. Apart from the main rope, also called the substitute rope supplied to the jumper in order to save them in case the main rope gives away. Amateurs should always obey the directives of their instructors.

Reverse Bungee

It consists of two telescopic gantry towers mounted on a platform, feeding two elastic ropes down from an open sphere of tubular steel. The passenger sphere is free to rotate between the two ropes, giving the rider a chaotic and disorienting ride. After several bounces, the ropes are relaxed and the players are lowered back to the launch position.

Death of Bhargava

Many adventure activities take place in and around Bangalore city. Care Adventure club and Head Rush Bungee Jumping are Bangalore based. They allegedly organized a camp of Bungee jumping on Saturday, April 11, 2009. As the clubs had intimated Chennai Adventure Club, around ten participants from Chennai were also part of their program. More than hundred enthusiasts were divided in 12 batches. The Bungee Jump was conducted at a huge plot behind a farmhouse near AMC Engineering College, Bannergatta road. The land belongs to one Bhaskar Naidu from Mico Layout and the crane belonged to S V Crane Services from Bommanhalli. The program kicked off at 8 am with many enthusiasts doing Bungee jumping.

Bhargava, 25, was the eldest son of Vijaya and Venkataraman, residents of Vasantha Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai. He was passionate seafarer and pursued his ambition at marine engineering. He joined service in a merchant navy one and half years back. He used to be on board for six months while he used to spend time for another three months at home. Bhargava was in South Africa for last six months on an assignment. He came to Chennai only a week ago, on three-month holiday. He registered for bungee jump camp organized by Care Adventure Club and Head Rush Bungee Jumping on Saturday, April 11.

Bhargava made his debut as a bungee jump and immediately called up his parents stating it was an awesome experience. Once the bungee jumping concluded, he had planned to go for Bannergatta Tiger Safari. However, Bhargava decided to head towards Marathahalli to meet his cousin Yamini. Then, the organizers suddenly announced reverse bungee jump with a rider, ‘Anyone taking up the challenge had to cough up Rs 500 extra. However, the additional amount did not deter participants who queued up for the adrenaline rush.

At 2.15 pm, Bhargava was taken on a crane to a height of 40 feet where the organizers tied the strap of rope and asked him to jump. As soon as he jumped the strap snapped and he lost control, hitting the ground in no time. The moment his face hit the ground, he started bleeding profusely. The net and waterbed, which supposed to be on the ground, were missing. There was no doctor to give first aid. There was no ambulance around, a few friends rushed Bhargava in a car to Wockhardt hospital where Bhargava was declared dead. Hospital officials said, “Though Bhargava had a fall at 2.15 pm, he was brought to the hospital at 3.00 pm. If he was brought early, then Bhrgava would probably survive. He was completely unresponsive at the time he was brought in. Even Electrocardiography (ECG) was tried, but there was no improvement. The body was completely battered. His body showed signs multiple injuries. Worse still, his eye-lids were swollen.”

Bhargava who was supposed to visit his cousin Yamini in Marathahalli, destiny dragged his dead body to Wackordt hospital. An enterprising young youth was dead for no fault of his own. Really, it was a great loss to our country, let apart the loss and grief to his parents.

Whispers were heard:

     Why the organizers did not take the necessary permission to conduct the

        the program?  The program stands illegal.

       The organizers had not used right kind of equipments.

The organizers had not provided safety net and water-bed. If they had done it,                     the injury to Bhargava would not have been severe and perhaps his life would been saved.

There was no doctor stationed to provide first-aid.

No ambulance was available, only friends had to take Bhargava to the hospital.

The organizers had not arranged insurance cover to the participants.

Illegal Adventure Sports-Clubs

For the last two and half months, Head Rush was organizing jumping without taking any precautionary measures. Ironically, the venue was just a kilometer away from the Bannergatta police station. The police must have the knowledge of the goings-on, they never questioned the organizers or verified the arrangements.. However, the police were quick to deny any knowledge of the event as it was being organized on private land in the interior area. They arrested the proprietor of Head Rush at 9 pm on Saturday under IPC section 304 A for causing death by negligence. He was produced before the Anekal JMFC magistrate and was granted bail. Another accused, proprietor of CARE was absconding and the police began search for him.

Adventure sports involve lot of risks and participants should be ready to face them. Also, they should select only standard organizers. The organizers should arrange such sports conforming to international standards with necessary permission. The police should ensure the organizers take the proper precautionary measures. The law should be framed for severe punishment to illegal organizers.

General Thimmaiah National Academy of Adventure

General Thimmaiah National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA) is a subsidiary under sports department of GOK. The government had planned to integrate independent clubs under one parent body, which would help them to get recognition and better infrastructure to impart skill in adventure sports. There are about 100 adventure clubs across the state. All of them will be asked to get affiliated to GETHNAA which way help them to get funds from government to conduct camps and organize events.

Based on geography and infrastructure, Karnataka government has identified Bangalore (Jakkur), Ramanagara, Chitradurga, Hampi, Mangalore and Karwar as places with potential for adventure sports. To promote rock climbing, latest features have been added to the walls in Bangalore and Davangere. Earlier, a Rock Climbing Academy on par with international standards was planned at Chitradurga but the project was later shelved. Now, the project would be expedited. Sports department has already secured five acres of land for this project, tenders were called and work was expected to begin. With its rocky terrain and impregnable rocks, Chitradurga is expected to become a heaven for rock climbers in the state.

Aqua sports were rooted in Vani Vilas Sagar reservoir across Vedavati River near Hiriyur. The back water of VVS is unique. The area is of the shape of India map and surrounded by lofty mountains on all sides. Dormitories for sportsmen had been planned to be built in the forest land at the cost of Rs 45 lakh. Water sports can also be hosted in Honnemaradu at Linganamakki dam in Shimoga district. The flying school in Jakkur can be upgraded with due infrastructures.

                                              ****************

                                                       Somanath S.Salimath, B.E. D.F.E.(Germany)

                                                       Bangalore. Ph: 080-2343 0702, Mob: 9448388678.

                                                       E-Mail:  somanathsalimath @ gmail.com

………………………………………………………………………………………………

  Comments from readers are heartily welcome by the writer.

……………………………………………………………………….