PERSONAL WATERCRAFT SAFETY

Personal watercraft and water skii safety is often ignored when on the open waters. Jet Ski Now hates to be the bearer of bad news, but when it comes to safety we refuse to mince our words. Flat out -- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 16 do not drive jet skis. Like a car, a jet ski requires skill and good judgement to operate safely. Many states go along with this recommendation.

Most jet ski injuries happen when the jet ski operator has little experience riding their personal watercraft. Those with less than twenty hours of experience in watercraft operation are considered particularly high risk. Also, people who rent jet skis for an occasional trist are much more likely than jet ski owners to be involved in an accident. Jet skis take skill to ride, and inexperience combined with speed can be a recipe for disaster. Other risk factors include excess speed, reckless operation, and driver inattention.

Jet skis are the only recreational vehicle in which the leading cause of death is not drowning; most fatalities result from blunt trauma. Injuries usually happen from the jet ski being driven into docks, other watercraft, or tree stumps. As funny as that might sound, crashing a jet ski is very risky business. Jet ski collisions are much more likely to result in injury or death than any other water vehicle accident. So parents beware and use good judgement when it comes to your kids. Riding a jet ski is serious stuff.

It is ideal for all jet skiers to take a safe boater course that covers instruction on the basics of using jet skis as well as navigation rules/laws. Such a class will provide the information you need to be safe out on the water and avoid a ticket. If you are ticketed while riding a water ski, it is possible to lose your operating license and be left hanging out to dry with a hefty fine.

Jet ski riders of all ages should always wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket. Tides and fatigue can take a toll on even the strongest of swimmers. All of here at Jet Ski Now believe in 'safety first'. Better to be safe than sorry.

When riding a jet ski, it is important to constantly be on the lookout for people, boats, and any objects in the water. Remain alert and never ride your jet ski in fog or darkness. Both can seriously limit your visibility and greatly increase your chance of a serious collision. In addition, stay away from boaters that can limit your view of others.

It is vital to be in good control of the jet ski at all times. Hence it is a good idea to avoid quick turns that may result in your being thrown head first into the water. And although it may seem like fun to spray people around you with water from your jet ski, this is a very dangerous prank and should be avoided. Keep in mind the operating characteristics of jet skis. Remember, you have no brakes and cannot steer if you are slowing down. You need to maintain or increase your speed to steer away from an object. Stopping is done only by cutting the throttle and coasting. And while you are coasting, you cannot steer. The potential for disaster is obvious.

Lastly, a common sense rule of thumb... never ever use a jet ski if you have been drinking alcohol. No exceptions or excuses.

Be safe and happy jet sking.

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