Safety Tips for Jet Ski Users
Posted on Mar 01st 2015
Water activities are always exciting but when it comes to Jet Ski the experience is just enthralling. But it’s also important to understand how to stay safe when using your jet ski to avoid injuring yourself or others. So here are some useful tips to help you stay safe:
Have a spotter: You should always have a person on board to act as a spotter when towing a person behind your personal watercraft, perhaps on an inner tube. They can tell you if any issues arise behind you, allowing you to keep your focus ahead, where it belongs.
Know your limits: Always be honest with yourself about your experience and abilities in driving a personal watercraft. When people go too fast or otherwise lose control of the vehicle the worst incidents happen.
Wear a life-jacket: Wearing a Coast Guard-approved life-jacket when operating a jet ski is a must. This is true even if you don't plan to go fast or if you are a strong swimmer. Remember that there is always a chance that another watercraft could hit you, knocking you unconscious. In that scenario, a personal flotation device could literally mean the difference between life and death.
Safety Straps: The safety strap is used as an emergency shut off in case the rider falls off or lose control. The safety strap is attached to the key of your jet ski. When you pull it, the Jet Ski engine will shut off. The safety strap should never be allowed to wrap around the handlebar. The safety strap will keep you safe throughout your entire ride.
Hop On: Try to balance your weight and avoid rocking side-to-side when the Jet Ski is in the water, near the dock. Place your hands firmly on the machine. Make sure that the safety strap is attached to your waist. At this point, engage the throttle and when you are still near the shore, maintain your speed at a lower level.
Controlling the Jet Ski: Turning the Jet Ski when trying to control is probably the hardest thing. The best thing to do is to practice the turns while still maintaining the lowest speed possible. This should be repeated until you are able to balance and take quick turns. For safety, the turns should be practiced near the shore to avoid bumping into other boats and jet skiers. An important tip to remember is to give your jet ski gas while making turns. This will help your machine keep its momentum and keep you balanced. Depending on the speed you are travelling, the jet ski might float in the air for a few seconds. When this happens, all you have to do is raise yourself a few inches above your seat to reduce the level of impact when the machine goes back onto the water surface. And here the fun begins when the water splashes on your face!
Taking a fall: Don’t worry if you happen to fall from your jet ski. Your Jet Ski will shut off automatically because the safety strap will stop the Jet Ski from moving. As there are no propellers in a jet ski, so don’t worry about getting caught in them. Just climb back on from the rear of the machine, reattach the key, press the green button, and you are good to go.
Docking: Learn how to bring a jet ski back to shore when using it. Approach the dock from a straight angle. Slow down the speed to 10 miles per hour. Maintain a steady speed as you approach the dock and then line up the bottom of your jet ski with the angle of the dock. Speed up slightly and then build momentum to carry the front of your jet ski onto the dock. Power down and decelerate once you are close to the dock.
Important Checklists:
Never operate a PWC (Personal Watercraft) in shallow water, because sediments or aquatic vegetation can be sucked into the water pump and damage your PWC and the environment.
Operate at a slow speed and avoid creating a wake, which can cause erosion when operating near the shore or in narrow streams or rivers.
Remember not to dock your jet ski in reeds and grasses because it could damage the environment.
When fuelling your jet ski near the water be extra careful; oil and gasoline spills are dangerous to the aquatic environment. It is better to fuel on land.
Always refrain from using your jet ski to disturb, chase, or harass wildlife.
MotorsHIFI endeavours to make your water sport adventures a worthwhile experience at the same time keeping it thoroughly safe. Hope the tips will be of great use as you venture forward with your Jet Skis.