Safety Tips to Avoid Jet Ski Accidents

Have you ever had a chance to ride a jet ski? If so, you probably know that it’s a truly exhilarating experience. After all, jet skis are loud, fast, and powerful, and those qualities are what makes jet ski riding so fun! However, the very same qualities could end up transforming this popular pastime into something potentially deadly.

In 2019, 613 people in the United States died in personal watercraft accidents, while 2599 ended up with serious injuries. That’s quite a large number, isn’t it? Because of that, riding a jet ski should be treated with the same amount of care and attention as driving a car.

There are many kinds of jet skis that you can choose from, starting with a cheap blow-up jet ski and going all the way up to a heavy piece of machinery that costs thousands of dollars. The latter can get out of control even in the hands of a seasoned jet ski rider.

So, how do you avoid getting in a jet ski accident? To make it easier for you, we came up with a list of the most practical jet ski riding tips you need to take to heart. Take a look!

After Hitting the Water, Be Mindful of Others

While riding a jet ski, you need to stay aware of the fact that depending on your location, there might be hundreds of people all around you who also want to have fun in the water. So, to effectively protect both yourself and others from a watercraft accident, you have to stay on the constant lookout for other jet skis, boats, and swimmers. Only then will you be able to keep a safe distance and avoid a collision.

Remember, No Jet Skiing Under the Influence

It might seem obvious, but it needs to be said – riding a jet ski under the influence is a terrible idea. When you get drunk, your motor coordination takes a huge hit, making you more likely to lose control over your jet ski.

Sure, operating a personal watercraft under the influence is legal in some areas. However, just because it wasn’t deemed illegal doesn’t mean that you should do it. On top of that, you can still end up being detained by the coast guard if you are perceived as a potential threat to other boats.

Invest in a Personal Watercraft Proficiency Course

If you bought a brand new jet ski, it probably came with a voucher for a personal watercraft proficiency course. It covers the basics of both jet ski riding and boating safety, which makes it suitable for new and experienced riders alike.

Such courses usually aren’t that expensive and take only one day to complete. On top of being cheap, they provide you with legal proof of your recreational boating knowledge. Having such a document has already become mandatory in many areas of the world!

Buy Tried and Trusted Jet Skis!

Even though personal watercraft production is heavily regulated, not all manufacturers play by the rules. As a result, many jet ski models end up on the market in spite of their numerous defects and flaws.

Buying a jet ski without proper knowledge on the matter makes you very likely to come across one of such models. If you end up making a purchase, the manufacturer’s negligence can actually get you killed.

So, before buying a jet ski, try to read up on its crucial components, go over reviews, and ask the more experienced jet ski users for advice. As long as you do that, you will be able to buy a safer, more reliable model that won’t put you in harm’s way.

Don’t Get Cocky

It might be tempting to use the waves that a passing motorboat left behind as a launching point. However, you absolutely shouldn’t do it! Such tricks can cause both you and your jet ski to fly in the wrong direction. It’s like asking for a random jet ski accident to happen!

Conclusion

All in all, jet ski accidents are probably more common than you think. Telling yourself that it just can’t happen to you is a foolish approach and should be avoided at all costs. Instead, be reasonable and take all of the aforementioned safety precautions to heart. Otherwise, you might end up getting hurt.

Common injuries for boating accidents include broken bones, crushed limbs, and brain and spinal cord injuries, among other things. As you can probably tell, those are pretty serious risks that shouldn’t be underestimated.

In conclusion, jet skiing can be a fun and exciting pastime as long as you take proper safety precautions. Reckless driving and speeding can be tempting, but would you really put your life on the line for a few cheap thrills? Probably not. So, stay safe and use your jet ski responsibly!