Jet skis are almost universally regarded as a lot of fun and very simple to operate. Unfortunately, this does not imply that they are also safe, so while it is possible to have a fun time on a jet ski without getting hurt, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help you do so.
1. What Should You Wear?
Most people believe that they can simply hop on a jet ski in their swimsuit and go. This, however, is not the case. A few extra precautions are required for safety.
When riding a jet ski, you must wear a life jacket by
law. Falling from a jet ski is much easier than falling from a boat, and most watercraft-related deaths result from drowning, which can be avoided by wearing a life jacket. This is true regardless of your ability to swim! Hitting the water after a high-speed fall from a jet ski could result in injuries that make swimming more difficult.
- Put on wetsuit bottoms. This is not just to avoid chafing or possibly losing your suit if you fall off the jet ski. Failure to do so can lead to serious injury or death. Jet skis accelerate by ejecting a powerful water jet stream. If a passenger falls backward off a jet ski, the high-pressure stream of water could enter a body cavity and rupture internal organs. Wetsuits are the best way to protect yourself from this.
- Wear appropriate footwear. Water shoes are best because they keep your feet from slipping as flip-flops do, and they also protect you from submerged objects that you might not see when getting off your jet ski.
- Carry a whistle. If you lose control of your jet ski, a whistle can call for help from nearby boaters.
- Wear nothing that you will be sorry to lose. Hats, jewelry, watches, and expensive sunglasses are all examples. To protect your eyes from glare and spray, consider wearing tinted goggles, floating sunglasses, or sunglasses that can be worn on a lanyard around your neck.
2. Driving Safely While Riding Your Jet Ski
- Never consume alcohol before boarding a jet ski. All of the reasons why you should not drink and drive a car to apply to driving a jet ski, and you can still be arrested for driving while intoxicated even on the water.
- The jet ski key will be on a lanyard that should be worn around your wrist. This is done to ensure that if you fall off the jet ski, the key is removed from the ignition switch, and the jet ski is not left running without an operator, putting you or others at risk of being run over.
- Maintain a slow speed until you are a safe distance from the shoreline. Then, only gradually accelerate, and make sure any passengers are holding on tight when you start to accelerate to keep them from falling off.
- Do not go too fast. Before you find out how fast you can go, keep in mind that most jet skis do not have brakes. Excessive speeding is a common cause of collisions between jet skis and other watercraft, as well as with swimmers, especially since jet skis cannot turn without accelerating, making collisions extremely difficult to avoid.
- Do not attempt any stunts. Despite how appealing it may appear, many inexperienced and experienced riders have been taken to the hospital after attempting tricks such as wave jumping.
4. You do not need a boating or driving license to ride a jet ski.
Yes. The only exception is that children under 16 must ride with an adult or complete a boater education course before they can ride alone.
