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EJU17820

Water-skiing

You can use the watercraft for water-skiing if it has the seating capacity to carry the operator, a rearward-facing spotter, and the water-skier when he or she is not skiing.

The watercraft must also have a cleat 1 designed to pull a ski towrope; do not attach the towrope to any other location.

It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility to be alert to the safety of the water-skier and others. Know and follow all state and local water-skiing regulations in effect for the waters in which you will be operating.

The operator should be comfortable carrying passengers before attempting to pull a skier.

The following are some important considerations for minimizing risks while water-ski- ing.

●The skier should wear an approved PFD, preferably a brightly colored one so boat operators can see the skier.

●The skier should wear protective clothing. Severe internal injuries can occur if water is forced into body cavities as a result of falling into the water. Normal swimwear does not adequately protect against forceful water entry into rectum or vagina. The skier should wear a wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides equivalent protec- tion.

●A second person should be on board as a spotter to watch the skier; in most states it is required by law. Let the skier direct the operator’s control of speed and direction with hand signals.

The spotter should sit securely on the passenger seat and hold onto the hand- grip 2 with feet firmly on the floor of the footwell for proper balance while facing to the rear to watch the skier’s hand signals and his or her condition.

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