As the weather warms up, many of us are eager to hit the water, especially those of us who own personal watercraft (PWC). I’m no different – my Waverunner has been patiently waiting in the garage, ready to be hooked up to the truck and taken to the lake. As we look forward to afternoons of buzzing across the water, let’s take a few minutes to think about how to avoid becoming a statistic. Here are some of the most common causes of PWC accidents and how you can avoid them.
Operator inexperience
Let me be honest: If someone asks to borrow my PWC, the answer is going to be “no.” It’s not because I don’t like you or think you’re a bad person, but because my machine is fast. Very fast. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of speed and end up pushing beyond your riding capabilities. This can quickly lead to an accident, resulting in injury or worse.
Inexperienced riders often aren’t familiar with the handling characteristics of a typical PWC. For example, many don’t realize that with most PWCs, there’s no steering unless you’re applying throttle, and there are no brakes. If you’re new to PWCs or are thinking about purchasing one, start slow to get to know your machine in a safe, controlled way.
Excessive speed
Excessive speed is a leading cause of accidents, whether on the road or on the water. Sometimes, riders choose speeds that are beyond their skill level or that their watercraft can’t handle in the current water conditions. Remember, a PWC rider doesn’t have much protection, and it’s easy to be thrown off. The risk of injury – or worse – rises significantly at high speeds. Always ride at a speed that matches your skill level and the water conditions.
Alcohol/drug use
This one should be obvious: never operate a PWC under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The same rules that apply to operating any vehicle apply here as well. Just don’t do it.
Lack of safety equipment
PWC safety equipment is similar to what you’d need for boating. Riders must wear a life jacket, and you’re also required to carry a fire extinguisher and a distress signal. It’s important to note that the type of life jacket required for PWC riding should be more restrictive than what’s typically required for boating. Cheaper life jackets can rip or come off when you fall off a moving PWC. For maximum safety, a Type 3 life jacket is recommended. Never wear a type 2 life jacket when riding a PWC. They do not offer adequate protection. For high powered PWC’s a neoprene life jacket is preferred.
Depending on your adventure, additional safety gear may be necessary. It’s always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Reckless operation
PWCs are fun – that’s why we buy them. But that fun can turn dangerous if we forget to operate them safely. Reckless behaviors, like jumping waves, riding too fast for the conditions, or getting too close to other vessels, can lead to serious accidents.
Also, some PWC riders get a bad reputation because of the few who ride recklessly. You can still have fun while being responsible. Take a moment to think about where you are and what you’re doing. If you want to test out the handling of your machine, head to a part of the lake with minimal traffic. It’s simple and can help you stay safe.
Bad weather
We can’t control the weather, but we can certainly pay attention to it. Always check the forecast before heading out, and keep an eye on the skies while riding. Even if you do everything right, there’s still a chance you’ll get caught in a storm. I’ve been in my share of unexpected storms while on my PWC. The key is to stay calm and make good decisions.
If you can, find shelter on shore to ride out the storm. Taking a short break is a minor inconvenience compared to what could happen if you don’t. If shelter isn’t available, make your way at a safe speed that allows you to maintain control of your PWC.
Conclusion
Some PWC riders think that safety takes the fun out of the experience. But imagine how little fun you’ll have if you or someone you know gets injured. You can have both safety and fun at the same time. It just takes a little planning and awareness.
