Extreme Sports

By

Sirhajwan Idek

Hang-Gliding

Kite Surfing

Ice Climbing

Snow Boarding

Scuba Diving

Mountain Biking

Bungee Jumping

Paintball

Rafting
 Hang Gliding

Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies

a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft

called a hang glider, also known as Delta plane

or Deltaplane. The pilot is positioned in a

harness suspended from the airframe and control

the hang glider by shifting body weight in opposition to a control frame, but other devices,

including modern aircraft flight control systems, may be used.

Although they remain lightweight craft, they can be easily damaged, either through misuse or by

continued operation in unsafe wind/weather conditions. Nevertheless, the inherent danger of

gliding depends on thermal and wind currents, which could cause fatal accidents or injuries.

As a backup, pilots may carry a parachute in the harness. In case of serious problems the

parachute is deployed and carries both pilot and glider down to earth. Pilots also wear helmets

and generally carry other safety items such as hook knives, light ropes, radios and first-aid

equipment. Pilot training within safer environment before the actual hang-gliding could also help

to reduce the risks of accident

To maximize a pilot's understanding of how the hang glider is flying, most pilots carry

instruments. The most basic being a variometer and altimeter. Pilots sometimes carry airspeed

indicators and radios. When flying in competition or cross country, pilots often also carry maps

and/or GPS units. Hang gliders do not have instrument panels, so all the instruments are mounted

to the control frame of the glider or occasionally based on one's supervision.

Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Hang Gliding”.

1. What is Hang Gliding?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

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3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

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4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

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5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

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 Rafting

Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging

recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable

raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water.

This is usually done on white water or different

degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and

excite the raft passengers.

Risks in white water rafting stem from both environmental dangers and from improper behavior.

Certain features on rivers are inherently unsafe such as obstacles (e.g. fallen trees), "keeper

hydraulics", dams, undercut rocks, and of course dangerously high waterfalls. Accidents and

mishaps could result in injuries and fatalities.

Rafters usually wear life jacket and helmet as safety measures. It is safer to raft with experienced

guides in order to avoid river hazards that might be encountered during rafting. If it happens that

a rafter is our of raft, the rafter is advised to swim to a calm spot behind a rock in the water

which the current disperses around. This could avoid the rafter from being taken downstream.

The main apparatus for the sport is the raft which is usually an inflatable boat, consisting of very

durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Rafts

are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. The rafters are

also encouraged to wear wetsuit and training shoes and boots and bring towels and first aid kit.
Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Rafting”.

1. What is Rafting?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

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3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

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4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

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5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

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 Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is a surface water

sport that uses the wind to pull a rider through the

water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard. A

kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or

without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the

power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water.

This sport could be dangerous. Because of strong forces that can be generated by sudden wind

gusts, people can be lofted, carried off, dashed against water, buildings, terrain or power lines.

Jumping and being airborne at inappropriate places can be hazardous. A surfer can get farther

from shore than an easy swim and become exposed to marine hazards such as sharks, jellyfish,

sea otters, dolphins, and even crocodiles, depending on the location. Collisions with wind

surfers, other kite boarders or water craft are hazards, particularly at busy locations.

To overcome potential serious risks, weather planning and awareness are keys to safe

kiteboarding. Paying attention to the weather and staying within the limits of the riders’ ability

will provide the safest experience. Kiteboarders are advised to use safety knife if lines become

tangled and dangerous and follow the basic safety rules of kitesurfing.

The equipment needed for this sport consists of power kite, foil kite, flying lines, control bar, kite

harness, kiteboard, wetsuit, safety hook knife, helmet, personal flotation device, signaling device,

GPS, buddy, board leash, impact vest.

Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on”Kitesurfing”.

1. What is Kitesurfing?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

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5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

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 Ice Climbing

Ice climbing, as the term indicates, is the activity of

climbing up ice formations. Usually, ice climbing

refers to roped and protected climbing of features

such as icefalls, frozen waterfalls, and cliffs and rock

slabs covered with ice refrozen from flows of water.

Technical grade for ice climbing depends on ice type and types of ice vary greatly in consistency

according to weather conditions. Ice can be soft, hard, brittle or tough. The routes for ice

climbing tend to be avalanche territories which could be very dangerous for climbing activity.

Night climbing or climbing in adverse weather conditions can be possible but such environments

will increase the difficulty and danger on any climbing route.

A climber chooses equipment according to the slope and texture of the ice. For example, on flat

ice, almost any good hiking or mountaineering boots will usually be enough but for serious ice

climbing, high quality boots are needed. For sloping ice, ice axe and crampons, spikes on

climbing boots, are important to be utilized for the climbing. Ice screws are very common

protection for ice climbing. They are screwed into the ice and can provide very strong protection

in solid ice. Avalanche danger could be evaluated through avalanche terrain exposure scale

(ATEC), therefore, it is important for climbers to refer to the scale before climbing.

The equipment needed for this type of sport includes helmet, climbing harness, warm clothes,

gloves, rope, mountaineering boots, ice axe, ice screws, crampons, and probably ice hooks and

ice pitons. Some of these tools might only be needed for certain types of climbing.
Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Ice Climbing”.

1. What is Ice Climbing?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

___________________________________________________________________
 Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which

a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater for

recreation, commercial or industrial reasons. The

word “Scuba” is an acronym for “Self Contained

Underwater Breathing Apparatus”.

Every sport comes with a list of commonly occurring

injuries. For scuba drivers, the most prevalent

problem they may encounter are middle ear squeezes/ear pain. Other medical conditions that can

occur during a dive which could be dangerous include inner ear barotraumas, pulmonary

barotraumas, arterial gas embolism and decompression sickness.

Before someone starts his or her scuba diving course, it is encouraged for the person to consult

doctors and get medical check-up especially if the person is a smoker, overweight, or have

undergone particular surgery or take certain medication. There are so many risks during scuba

diving, therefore, divers are encouraged to be aware of these risks and know how to avoid or

overcome them in order to ensure a safer diving.

The main equipment for such diving is scuba set which is crucial in assisting the divers to

breather underwater for a long period of time, the set includes breathing gas and rebreather.

Divers also wear diving suit, diving mask and diving helmet. Diving helmet, diving mask or full-

faced diving mask help to create a better view underwater. Swimfins and Diver Propulsion

Vehicles help the divers to swim and move easily underwater.

Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Scuba Diving”.

1. What is Scuba Diving?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

___________________________________________________________________
 Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a sport that involves going down a

slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard

attached to a rider's feet using a special boot. The

development of snowboarding was inspired by

skateboarding, surfing and skiing.

Like some other winter sports, snowboarding comes with a certain level of risk. Sprains and

fractures are the most common injuries, followed by contusions, lacerations, dislocation and

concussions. Snowboarders occasionally experience wrist injury and ankle injury but they less

likely get knee injury. The common cause for injury is lack of skill and loss of control. In

addition, the snowy mountain slopes could be dangerous in a way that there is a risk of

avalanches.

In order to increase safety, snowboarders should attach their boarders to their lead foot with a

security leash to prevent runaway board. If it happens that the snowboarders fall, they are

advised to keep their arms tucked to their sides with fist clenched. When jumping, they should

ensure their landing area is clear and consistently monitor their speed; they may need to slow

down if they think they are going too fast.

The main equipment needed for this type of sports include snowboard, snowboard binding and

boots but snowboarders are also encouraged to wear proper clothes with waterproof top layer,

wrist guards and helmet.

Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Snowboarding”.

1. What is Snowboarding?

________________________________________________________________

2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

___________________________________________________________________
 Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding

bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially

adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities

with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to

enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.

The risk of injury is present in the sport of mountain biking, especially in the more extreme

aspect such as downhill biking. Injuries range from minor wounds, such as cuts and abrasions

from falls on gravel to serious injuries such as striking the head or spine on a boulder or tree.

Fitness is also important; if a rider is not in good enough shape to ride in certain trails, they will

become tired, which cause them at a higher risk of having an accident.

Protective equipment can protect against minor injuries and reduce the extent or seriousness of

major impacts. However, in order to truly reduce the risk of injury, a rider needs to take steps to

make injuries less likely, such as picking trails that they can handle, ensuring that they are fit

enough to deal with the trail they have chosen, and properly check and maintain their bikes

before every ride. They may also need to learn new skills such as jumping and avoiding

obstacles in order to face a more challenging trail.

The main equipment is bike primarily mountain bike and additional accessories are gloves,

glasses, shoes, proper clothing, hydration system, GPS navigation device, pump, bike tools,

pedal, high-power lights. Helmet, body armor and pad and first aid are important for safety and

protection.
Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Mountain Biking”.

1. What is Mountain Biking?

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2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

___________________________________________________________________
 Paintball

Paintball is a sport in which it is defined as a battle game

with paint-firing guns. A team game in which each

player has a gun that fires gelatin capsules filled with

water-soluble marking dye, the object being to shoot

members of the opposing team.

Eye injuries can occur when protective equipment is not properly used, removed or not used at

all and such injuries often cause someone to be blind. It could also be dangerous to those who

have health problems. The game could trigger heart attack which can lead to death for people

with certain health problems especially if they are struck in the chest.

For safety, most regulated paintball fields strictly enforce a 'masks-on' policy, and eject players

who consistently disobey. There are strict safety rules such as any gun which fires paintballs

must fire with a strict speed limit. The players are also required to wear safety goggles or mask

because head, face, eyes and ears are more exposed than the rest of the body. Players are also

advised to use a professional venue which has strict guidelines when it comes to health and

safety procedures.

The basic equipment for this sport is paintball marker or paintball gun, paintball and mask or

goggles. Paintball has a wide range of possible equipment to be used, depending on type of play,

additional equipment can include gloves, a pack designed to comfortably carry pods containing

extra paintballs, and a squeegee or swab for cleaning out the barrel in case a paintball breaks.
Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Paintball”.

1. What is Paintball?

________________________________________________________________

2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

___________________________________________________________________
 Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall

structure while connected to a large elastic cord. 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

above the ground. The thrill comes as much from the free-falling as from the rebounds.

In order to ensure safety, individuals should consult doctors before doing bungee jumping to

identify whether they meet some following criteria to limit health and other risks. It is important

to ascertain that the weight-for-height is within the target range because accurate measurement is

recommended for proper fitting of equipment including body harness. If the individuals are

under some medications or have some health complication, consultation with doctors or nurses is

necessary.

Bungee jumping injuries may be divided into 2 aspects: those that occur as equipment mishap or

tragic accident and those that occur regardless of safety measures. In the first instance, injury can

happen if the safety harness fails, the cord elasticity is miscalculated, or the cord is not properly

connected to the jump platform. The injury which could happen even safety measures have been

taken includes eyesight damage and possible stroke.

The basic equipment used for this type of sport is harness, tie-off and airbags. The airbags are

important to provide a safety space in unlikely event of fall. The jumpers are also advised to

wear proper casual outdoor clothes and helmet for protection.

Questions

Answer the questions below based on the article on” Bungee Jumping”.

1. What is Bungee Jumping?

________________________________________________________________

2. What are the risks involved in this sport?

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are the safety measures of this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What is the equipment needed for this sport?

__________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, do you want to try this sport?

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