The prospect of parasailing can be intimidating to those that are worried about the activity’s safety. Sure, parasailing is a common activity, but it seems so extreme to many people that it’s easy to question its safety. So, how dangerous is parasailing?
Parasailing isn’t very dangerous, and there have been 1,365 minor injuries out of over 140 million trips. Deaths are far less common with just under 80 reported in the history of parasailing in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates parasailing and imposes fines for failure to comply with their safety regulations.
It is even safe to parasail if you aren’t a swimmer because you wear a safety vest and never submerge in the water. Accidents and fatalities are rare enough that there is little reason to worry about your first time parasailing. Follow along as we explore how dangerous parasailing is and explore the safety regulations.
Is Parasailing Scary?
Parasailing isn’t quite scary, but it is certainly an intense experience. You quickly ascend from the back of a boat to heights up to 500 feet in the air. Luckily, you are harnessed in place and tethered to the boat via a line and winch system. Parasailing is quite smooth so you are unlikely to experience turbulence which helps keep the experience thrilling yet unscary.
How Often Do Parasailing Accidents Happen?
Parasailing accidents are rare and there have only been 1,365 incidents out of 141 million rides in total. Just under 80 of these accidents resulted in death which is quite minimal. There were roughly 1,370 minor injuries and only 500 severe injuries out of all recorded parasailing trips.
How High in the Air Are You When Parasailing?
You fly up to 500 feet in the air when parasailing. The Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t allow parasailers to fly any higher than that. You can request to fly lower if you are afraid of heights, and your guide may be able to oblige you. However, your guide will receive a fine if they let you fly higher than 500 feet.
Read more about how high up you are parasailing in this article.
Should People Afraid of Heights Go Parasailing?
It can be challenging to go parasailing if you are afraid of heights. You ascend to 500 feet in the air which can be intimidating whether you are afraid of heights or not. However, many parasailers will tell you that it is a different sensation than riding a rollercoaster. There isn’t typically a “stomach drop” feeling when you parasail, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Should Non-Swimmers Go Parasailing?
Non-swimmers can safely go parasailing because they don’t get submerged in the water. Your parasailing guide will only dip you into the water if you request it, but this is optional. You won’t have to swim even if your parasail fails because you typically just float down to the surface of the water near the boat, and they reel you in.
The only scenario where you would accidentally land in the water is if the line snaps. In this case, you will plummet to the surface, but it won’t be as fast as you’d expect because of the parachute. This will give you time to prepare as you fall before your guide helps you return to the boat.
Are Sharks a Concern When Parasailing?
Sharks aren’t a concern when parasailing unless you dip into the water. However, you won’t ever get in the water on a standard parasailing trip. You depart the boat to ascend into the air and return to the back of the boat without touching the water. You can request to dip into the water, but even then you are at low risk of a shark attack.
Has Anyone Ever Died Parasailing?
Sadly, 79 people have died while parasailing. Any injury or death from parasailing is a tragedy, but the numbers are so low that it appears to be quite uncommon. Less than 80 deaths out of over 140 million recorded parasailing trips suggests that you don’t have to worry about it.
Are Any Locations Considered More Dangerous to Go Parasailing?
Parasailing safety doesn’t vary by location unless a particular area has extreme weather. Otherwise, you are just as safe when parasailing in Florida as you would be in California. However, you could argue that it’s even safer to parasail in Florida than in most states because of their extra regulations, but only by a small margin.
Each state in the U.S. falls under the regulation of the FAA.
How Can Weather Conditions Affect Parasailing Safety?
Weather conditions can make it unsafe to go parasailing. For example, you should never go parasailing if it is highly windy or raining hard. Lightning can also make it unsafe to go parasailing, and it goes against regulations.
You cannot legally go parasailing in a thunderstorm in states like Florida. The parasail guide and operator will receive a fine. Your 500-foot height makes you extra vulnerable to lightning, rain, and strong winds.
Read our weather related parasailing articles:
- Can You Parasail When It’s Windy?
- Can You Parasail In The Rain?
- What’s The Best Time of Day to Parasail?
Are There Any Special Safety Considerations for Tandem Parasailing?
Pay attention to the recommended maximum weight when tandem parasailing. Each vessel is different, so it’s important to ask your parasailing guide about the maximum weight beforehand. There is also generally a minimum combined weight of 160 pounds, with 65 -90 solo minimum too.
The minimum weight is just as important as the maximum weight. Too little weight when tandem parasailing can impact height, speed, and safety. Tandem parasailing is generally safe as long as your combined weight doesn’t exceed 450-500 pounds.
Read our related post “Is There a Weight Limit for Parasailing?” here.
Is Parasailing Regulated?
Parasailing is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They impose regulations about the maximum height that you can parasail. According to the FAA, you cannot parasail within 5 miles of an airport.
They can fine parasailing guides and operators for failure to comply with their regulations. This doesn’t affect the average parasailer, but it encourages guides to exercise caution. However, you can only count on FAA regulations if you parasail within the United States.
See more information by downloading and reading the Air Traffic Bulletin PDF: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/ATB2012-2.pdf
Look into parasailing regulations before you travel to another country because they may be different. For example, Mexico doesn’t have the same height, safety, and licensing regulations for parasailing as the United States.
Should Parasailing Companies Require More Safety Training?
Commercial parasail guides are required to get a license. To qualify for a license, they need to have a well-rounded understanding of safety protocols and logistics. The licensing process takes a while and some guides, and this seems to help weed out bad operators.
With that said, the employees of these parasailing companies don’t have to go through the same rigorous process. Luckily, parasail tours are generally relegated to a captain, an operator, and a deckhand. It would be nice for an official safety training regiment for standard employees as well, but they often seem well-equipped.
How Often Is Parasailing Gear Inspected?
Most parasailing operators inspect their gear daily. The tow line is the most important part to check because that is how they cast you out and pull you back in. Operators need to replace the tow lines if they are worn and weathered.
What Type of Training Should a Parasailer Receive Before Participating in the Activity?
You must receive a safety briefing before you can go parasailing. Parasail guides and operators typically spend up to 10 minutes telling you what to expect. This includes appropriate boat conduct and the importance of following your operator’s instructions before you go in the air. They will also require you to wear a safety vest for the duration of your trip.
What Safety Measures Should Be Taken When Launching and Landing?
Keep your feet straight and off of the boat when launching and landing. You are unlikely to hurt your feet, but this will ensure that you don’t. Otherwise, you simply need to sit comfortably in your harness whether you hold on or not. You aren’t required to hold on when launching and landing, but many parasailers prefer to.
Who Should Not Go Parasailing?
People who easily get motion sick or are afraid of heights should consider not going parasailing. You could certainly have fun even if you are afraid of heights or get motion sick, but it may not be worth the risk. The average parasailing trip includes 8-12 minutes in the air, but that can feel like a lifetime for someone afraid of heights.
Final Thoughts
Parasailing is a relatively safe activity with less than 80 deaths out of 141 million rides. Even minor injuries are rare with only 1,365 total reported incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates parasailing and enforces penalties for guides that fail to comply. This helps keep parasailing safe and establishes a safety standard for the activity.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focuses on extreme sports. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, and skateboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about extreme sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.
