KUALA LUMPUR: Operators of extreme sports or related activities cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to ensuring the safety of participants, said Malaysia Sports Aviation Federation (MSAF) president Captain Mohd Arif Ibrahim.
He said the necessary steps include implementing standard operating procedures (SOP), such as complying with licensing regulations, as well as having experience conducting these activities.
He said safety and skills verification must be documented and submitted to the authorities such as the district office, local council, Fire and Rescue Department or Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia.
"There are many extreme sports and they have unique requirements. Some are more dependent on equipment, others on the skills of the operator.
"For example, in paragliding, both are equally important. The operator or pilot must be trained to acquire safe flying skills, either for solo flying, leisure, competitions, cross-country flying, tandem flying or as instructors.
"In MSAF, we practise safe flying through training by qualified instructors and issue licences according to the pilots' ratings.
"The equipment used also prioritises safety, such as airworthiness and the minimum equipment needed. Flyers must check their gliders regularly and carry a reserve parachute, two-way radio, variometer as well as GPS, depending on the type of flying.
"Insurance is also a requirement for this activity," he told the New Straits Times.
He said among the SOP that paragliding pilots must undergo include fulfilling training requirements, flying ratings, theory classes and examinations, and adhering to the licensing system.
He said while accidents from these activities did happen, they could be prevented if measures were in place and done in a proper, safe, structured and professional manner.
Arif was commenting on the SOP required for these activities following a rope swing incident in Kuala Kubu Baru, which left a 33-year-old woman injured after the equipment snapped.
Arif said equipment used for commercial extreme activities, such as rope swings, must have a method to verify its safety level.
"Customers must also understand the risk involved and sign an indemnity document prior to the activity, provided they are satisfied with the safety aspects in place.
"You just cannot say that it is illegal to do all these activities. The activity's name itself, 'extreme', suggests the risks involved.
"But it is done all over the world. What we must emphasise here is that safety aspects must be there, SOP adhered to and legal aspects, including insurance, are in place. Only then can we hope that no accident will happen."
He said if an accident were to occur, an emergency SOP should be in place.
This includes knowing which emergency services to call, who the responsible parties are, who to report to as well as the hospitalisation procedures.
The victim, Siti Halijah Abd Rahim had, during the rope swing activity, hit a rock before falling into a river below the Kuala Kubu Baru Bridge when the rope supporting her allegedly snapped.
She underwent spinal surgery at Selayang Hospital on Sept 29.
The activity operator, Rentas Adventures, denied that the incident was caused by equipment failure.