About three to five million people go parasailing every year. Thankfully, most parasailing experiences turn out to be a wonderful adventure. Unfortunately, parasail accidents do happen; causing some to question parasailing safety and liability. Parasail accident statistics reveal the risk people take when they agree to be towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while harnessed to a canopy wing that looks like a parachute, known as a parasail wing.
Data from the Parasail Safety Council shows that more than 70 people have been killed and at least 1,800 injured in parasailing accidents between 1982 and 2012. There was a much lower incidence of accidents requiring hospitalization for those riding on gondola style seats compared to those who were harnessed (two versus 520). At least 95 percent of all parasail fatalities are because the parasail rider is unable to escape/evacuate from a harness passenger support system during an unplanned water landing in high winds.