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OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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8 Operating your water vehicle requires skills acquired only through practice over a period of time. Take the time to learn the basic operating techniques well, before attempting more difficult maneuvers.

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8 Both operator and a passenger must always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (vest-type) because of the drowning hazards associated with water sports.

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1U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device

2Wetsuit

3Water shoes

4 Gloves

5 Eye protection

8 Strong streams of water from the jet nozzle, or impact with the water surface can be dangerous. Both operator and a passenger must wear wetsuits. Normal swimming attire may not adequately protect you. A wetsuit will help protect against internal injuries to orifices (rec- tum and vagina) from strong jet streams, and from impact with the water surface. Wetsuits also help protect against hypothermia (low body temperature) and abrasions.

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8 Both operator and a passenger should wear water shoes to help protect feet from objects hidden under water. Wearing gloves can also help protect hands from abrasions.

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8 Wind, water, and glare from the sun may get in your eyes while you operate your water vehicle, reducing your ability to see. You may want to consider wearing eye protection such as sunglasses or goggles while riding. Some may find, however, that eye protection obstructs or distorts their vision, and distracts from operation. Only you know the circumstances in which you operate your water vehicle, so only you can decide if the benefits of eye protection outweigh the potential hazards.

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8 If you wear prescription lenses, consider measures to secure them against loss while riding. For example, some goggles are designed to be worn over glasses or contact lenses. Restraining straps for glasses are also made which are designed to float if your glasses should fall in the water.

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8 Helmets meeting Snell or DOT standards are required for IJSBA-sanctioned races. You must decide whether to wear a helmet while you ride recreationally. A helmet could help protect you in certain kinds of accidents. You should also know that a helmet could injure you in some other riding conditions.

A helmet is designed to provide some head protection. Although helmets cannot protect against all foreseeable impacts, a helmet might reduce your injuries in a collision with a boat or other obstacle.

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