Psychological and Neurological Tests are Required to Reduce the Risk of Injuries in Paragliding

The study’s objective is to analyse and comprehend the types, frequency, and causes of paragliding pilot accidents to identify preventative and reducing measures in the future, such as a suitable physical training program designed explicitly for paragliding pilots. This study hypothesized that several factors, including the pilot’s experience level, weather conditions, terrain, equipment quality, attitude toward the sport, and adherence to safety regulations, may be related to the frequency of paragliding accidents. The study’s findings indicated a high accident rate since 66% of respondents had injuries while paragliding, and 67% had an occurrence that may have resulted in a pilot suffering severe injury. The analysis shows the frequent causes of accidents are primary piloting mistakes and poor decision-making as technological faults played a minor role. Equipment used for paragliding seldom malfunctions if it is routinely inspected and tested; the only exception is when it is subjected to abnormally high stresses while in flight. Oversteering of the wing or, on the other hand, inadequate reaction—specifically, inadequate pilot training in flap control and active piloting—were the leading causes of these mistakes. Poor judgments about weather and flying conditions or inadequate familiarity with the area landscape and characteristics caused some of these mistakes. In conclusion, we address the necessity to establish a standard for the ideal paraglider, conceiving psychological and neurological tests without reducing the access to this adrenaline rush sport, but increasing its safety.