Seadoo Safety Tips
The summer Seadoo PWC season is quickly winding down. Even though it was generally a fairly wet summer, I was able to get out on the water almost weekly and, in my books, that is a good summer. I only intend to write a few more Seadoo PWC articles before the summer 2009 season is over. One of the most important seadoo topics involves seadoo safety and it never hurts to review seadoo safety tips at the end of the season.
The most important aspect of seadoo safety is to always wear an appropriate PFD (personal flotation device) or life jacket. This cannot be overstated. Buy and wear a PFD that is properly fitted for your size and weight and that is approved by the local water safety commission or the Coast Guard. Properly approved PFDs will have a label on the inside indicating that they have met certain safety standards. If you have questions just ask at your local marina. Insist that any passenger wear an approved PFD.
The next most important safety tip is to never mix alcohol and riding a Seadoo pwc. In fact, you should never mix alcohol with any type of boating or aquatic activity. There is plenty of time to enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine after the riding is done for the day. Not only is it illegal to drive a Seadoo while under the influence of alcohol, it is also very dangerous and selfish.
The next safety tip is one that I believe in pretty strongly, and that is to avoid riding your pwc at night. I think that seadooing is a sport best enjoyed by daylight. Not only is it harder to navigate at night, allowing the potential for getting disoriented and lost, the bigger danger is the virtual impossibility for spotting unexpected water hazards. Keep an eye on your schedule so you are not stranded far from your dock at dusk, and your day of pwc riding won’t need to end with a precarious ride home in the dark.
Don’t overload your Seadoo PWC. For the most part, these machines are designed for 2 people and can safely accommodate 2 people. If you absolutely need to have 2 passengers plus a driver then go slow and only do so in uncrowded waters. Also remember, whenever towing people behind your Seadoo PWC make sure you have a mature spotter that understands the importance of spotting.
If you love the sport of seadooing as much as I do, then do yourself a favor and keep it safe. Taking unnecessary risks is just not worth having an accident. Even though boating is a very popular and accessible summer activity, don’t forget that there are substantial risks involved, and making safety a primary concern will just make your boating season and that of everyone around you, a lot safer.