2 safety tips for people that want to start jet skiing

Blog

If you have made the decision to take up jet skiing, here are some tips that you might find helpful.

1. Perfect your reboarding technique in shallow, calm waters

If you take up this motorsport, you will probably end up being thrown into the water fairly regularly. The reason for this is as follows; jet skis can flip over (and in doing so, can cause their passengers to be flung into the water) if their drivers take excessively sharp turns, if they hit a solid object (like a rock or another water vessel) or if they are engulfed by a wave.

When this inevitably happens to you whilst you are taking part in a race or are out for a leisurely spin, it is vital that you understand how to quickly and safely reboard your jet ski. If you have never practised this process, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to do this. Instead, you will probably panic and struggle (particularly if the waters are quite choppy) and have to simply cling onto the edge of the watercraft whilst you wait for someone to rescue you.

As such, it is best to spend a few hours practising the reboarding process in a safe environment (i.e. in shallow, calm waters). Perfecting your reboarding technique in this manner will ensure that you know exactly what steps to take to flip your jet ski back into its upright position and clamber back up onto the driver's seat.

2. Never drink alcohol before taking a spin on a jet ski

A typical jet ski's driving system is a lot simpler than that of a standard car. It features a throttle device, which can be pressed to move the equipment or released to slow it down, but does not usually have a separate clutch or brake. Because of the simplicity of their driving systems, people often mistakenly assume that jet skis are safe to drive, even whilst intoxicated.

However, if you don't want your involvement in this motorsport to lead to you being injured, it is vital to avoid consuming any alcohol prior to using your jet ski. The reason for this is as follows; the effects of the alcohol could make it very hard for you to safely operate this vehicle, even though it arguably easier to drive than a boat or a land-based vehicle.

For example, being intoxicated can affect your coordination and balance; this could lead to you leaning too far to one side whilst driving your jet ski and subsequently causing the vehicle to flip over. Similarly, alcohol can interfere with your ability to react quickly to hazards you encounter whilst jet skiing. You could, for example, fail to release the throttle (i.e. slow down your jet ski) quickly enough to avoid a collision with another jet ski.

For more information, contact a company that sells jet skis.

Share

3 June 2019

Motor Sports and Equipment for Beginners and Kids

Hi, my name is Danny. I have been a keen supporter of motor sports for years. I've ridden for fun as well as in a few competitive races. Now, unfortunately, I don't get to ride as much as I like. I am busy running a graphic design company and chasing my two kids and a dog. However, I know that my little ones are quickly getting old enough to explore the world of motor sports with me. To prepare, I decided to start a blog. Here, I am going to post on everything you need to get a child interested in motor sports, and I may include a few posts on motor sport accessories and ideas for the adult beginner as well.