Watersports,
such as skiing, tubing, riding on towables and doables and
wakeboarding, can be fun if basic safety code is followed. Don’t let
a great day on the water turn into a bad one because you didn’t take
the time to follow basic safety rules, have the correct equipment that
is in good working order and review safety with your boat occupants and
those participating in the sports.
All involved, from the skier
or towable rider to the driver and passengers, can enjoy fun on the
water safely by observing these basic safety recommendations.
Above
all, use common sense when out on the water. There is no substitute
for using your head when preparing for and while enjoying a day out on
your watercraft.
Prepare for Your Safe Water Experience:
Take the
time to review federal, state and local laws for the water, the risks
you can face with the sport(s) and the proper use of your equipment
Know the waterway you will be on, being aware of any hazards
Always choose a person (other than the driver) as an observer
The skier or towable rider, observer and driver must agree on hand signals before starting
Never start out until the skier or towable rider signals that he or she is ready to take off
Image Courtesy of US Coast Guard
Some Notes on Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Safety:
CO
is hazardous and may cause severe health complications and even death.
Do not sit on the boat transom or boarding platform while the engine is
running due to engine exhaust producing CO from that area. Sitting in
those areas may expose you to excessive CO. If you can smell engine
exhaust while in the boat, do not stay seated in that area for
prolonged periods.
Never “Platform Drag,” which is defined as holding onto the boarding platform, or be dragged directly behind the boat
Changing boat speed or direction relative to wind can reduce or increase boat exhaust from accumulating near the boat and rider
If
an engine is not tuned properly it can produce excessive exhaust. Your
engine should be checked regularly by yourself or a mechanic to make
sure it is not emitting excessive exhaust
Consult your owner’s
manual or the United States Coast Guard’s website for more information
on how to help protect others and yourself from the dangers of CO
poisoning
Additional Safety Considerations: Weight:
Do not exceed the weight guidelines of your boat
Only use water ballast and people for additional weight
Do
not allow passengers to hang outside the boat or sit on the gunwales
outside the normal seating area of the boat. Remember that uneven
weight distribution or additional weight may adversely affect the
handling of your boat
Never permit water to flow over the gunwales of your boat
The Importance of the Right Equipment and Safety:
Before
starting a day of fun, inspect your equipment making sure bindings,
fins, tube attachment points and the overall tube or towable condition
are all ready to go
Check floatation devices, insuring that
they always meet U.S. Coast Guard Type III (PFD) guidelines, making
sure one is in use by all persons onboard
Tow Ropes and Safety:
Use
the proper rope or harness for the activity. There are ropes/harnesses
specific to tubes, towables, wakeboards, skis, etc. Select the right
one
Never us a rope that is frayed, knotted or in any way damaged. Always replace a rope at the first signs of excessive use
Your
ski or towable rope should be attached to the watercraft in the
approved method using hardware designed specifically for towing.
Always adhere to instructions in your watercraft manual on the method
to properly attach a tow rope
Remember that a tow rope can
stretch during use. If a rope should break or suddenly release, it can
snap back into the watercraft. All occupants of the watercraft should
be made aware of this potential hazard
It is important for all
occupants be clear of the ropes prior to take off and during use to
insure no one gets entangled causing potential injury
It is
VERY important that all persons and ropes are clear from the propeller
when the engine is running, including when the engine is in neutral.
If the rope becomes entangled in the prop, immediately shut off the
engine and remove the ignition key BEFORE disengaging the rope from the
engine
Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. The
skier or towable rider, passengers, driver and boat owner should all
accept that responsibility and safeguard each other while having fun on
the water.
Everyone should be aware of these safety guidelines:
These
products are designed to be used on the water only. Do not attempt to
start from a dock or from land as this can cause potential injuries and
even death. Both the person engaging in the watersport and the driver
should take ultimate responsibility to NOT attempt a start from a dock
or from land
Remove slack in the rope between yourself (the
skier or towable rider) and the watercraft prior to starting. Failure
to do so can result in injury from snap back or breakage of the rope.
Remember your designated hand signals we discussed previously? Use them
Do
not ski or ride in shallow water, near shore, pilings, docks, rafts,
other obstacles, other watercraft or swimmers. Adhere to areas
designated for skiing and riding activities.
Both the driver
and skier or rider should be prepared for any obstacle and make the
necessary adjustments in their course to avoid those obstacles. The
observer should team up with the driver and skier or rider to warn of
pending obstacles
Each skier or rider should know their
capabilities and limits. Start small and safe, then progress as you
can. There is no fun in making a trip to the emergency room on a great
day on the water. Do not attempt to use ramps or attempt jumps unless
you have had instruction and are confident in your abilities to handle
them
Remember that falling is something that happens in this sport. Do not undertake the sport unless you are prepared for it
ALWAYS use a skier down flag in watersports to signal others that a skier or rider is in the water
When
approaching another down skier or rider, the driver of any watercraft
must observe extreme caution putting the boat in neutral
ALWAYS turn the engine off when people are getting in and out of the watercraft or are in the water near to the watercraft
Under NO circumstances should you be operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Although
these suggestions may cover most situations, we don’t attempt to cover
every situation that could pose a risk to either skier/rider or boat
occupant.
Use of common sense and good judgment should always
prevail in any situation on your watercraft. Boat responsibly and then
have fun!
