For the majority of us, the most strenuous activity we are likely to do while abroad is basking on a beach soaking up the rays or sipping an exotic cocktail by a poolside bar.

However – for others – risking life and limb while parasailing, white water rafting or bunjee jumping is their idea of what makes a real holiday.

Extreme sports are increasingly popular but many are excluded from standard travel insurance policies.

For example, even water-skiing, which many people might well try on the spur of the moment while on an otherwise conventional beach holiday, would be excluded by many policies.

So if you plan to do anything even remotely dangerous, it is vital to check your policy carefully before you go to make sure you are covered.

The alternative to having adequate insurance could be very expensive indeed – just getting an air ambulance home could put you in debt to the tune of £50,000.

According to research from price comparison website moneysupermarket.com almost half of UK holidaymakers have signed up impulsively for an extreme sporting activity whilst abroad.

But if, for instance, you are going away to skydive specifically, you will need to look for a tailored insurance product.

There are not many providers that specialise in sports that involve being unanchored in the air. But the Airports Insurance Bureau, which is available through the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is one of them.

Extreme travel insurance policies involve a steeper premium – but it is absolutely essential to have cover.

Paul McMahon (28) from Co Tyrone is one person who knows better than most about the necessity of having adequate travel insurance while undertaking an extreme sport.

He suffered an horrific accident after plummeting to earth when a skydive in America went wrong earlier this year.

Paul, a physiotherapist, sustained multiple injuries after hitting the ground from over 100 feet during a 13,000 feet jump in California.

He smashed both legs – breaking his two femurs – crushed his pelvis and lost six pints of blood in the accident which happened in July.

He was rushed to hospital near San Diego after the disaster where he lay unconscious for three days on a life support machine.

After spending 10 days in hospital he was flown back by air ambulance to Northern Ireland to continue his recovery which has been slow.

Now at home in Castlederg, Paul faces a long period of recuperation with daily visits from medical staff and regular trips to the hospital to reveal how his bones are mending.

Recalling the accident, Paul says he remembers towards the end of the skydive the parachute twisted and turned.

“I was descending towards the ground – there were moving columns of air – thermals – coming in off the desert that day so it was quite warm.