In the wake of tube kite accidents this summer, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is cooperating with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in advising extreme care when using these new water recreation toys. Tube kites are large, wide, sometimes saucer or delta-shaped inflatable tubes that are towed behind boats at speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour. The speed causes the tube to lift into the air with its passengers, sometimes 30 or more feet, according to Tim Smalley, DNR boating safety specialist.

ìWe have seen personal injury accidents in Minnesota this summer where the riders have either fallen or been thrown off tube kite devices,î Smalley said. ìA plunge from 15 or more feet while the boat is moving at 30 miles per hour can cause severe injuries or even death.î

In a tube kite accident on Eagle Lake in Kandiyohi County on July 4, the boat operator thought the tube kite he was towing was going too high. As he slowed down hoping to lower the tube, it dove 15 feet into the water with the victim. The victim was seen floating face down in the water kept afloat only by his life jacket. He was unconscious for about 30 seconds. He was eventually taken to the hospital by his wife and treated for a perforated eardrum.

On Fish Trap Lake in Morrison County on June 25, a 19-year-old man fell 20 to 25 feet from a tube kite towed by his father and landed face down in the water. He complained of chest pains and was eventually transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis in critical condition.

The CPSC issued a warning about tube kites on June 30, noting possible reasons for incidents and injuries, including a riderís difficulty in controlling the tube, boat operator inexperience, and how the tube reacts in certain weather conditions. Conditions of highest concern to the CPSC are wind gusts that can cause the tube to spin out of control, or sudden stopping or slowing by the boat operator. According to the CPSC, slowing can cause the tube to nose-dive and hit the water, or allow the tube rider to continue past the top of the boat and hit either the towing boat, another watercraft or other objects such as a bridge.

At least three tube kite fatalities have occurred this summer in the United States and there have been at least two-dozen personal injury accidents. Injuries noted by the CPSC include heart and lung trauma, broken neck, back injury, jaw fracture, concussion, cracked ribs, perforated eardrum and broken limbs.

ìWe want to help the Consumer Product Safety Commission alert Minnesota water recreation enthusiasts to the risk of falling into the water at dangerous heights from one of these water toys,î Smalley said. ìComing down into water doesnít necessarily make for a soft, cushy landing - especially face first when going up to 30 miles per hour.î