Safety information

EJU30812

Operation requirements

●All riders must wear a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved personal flotation device (PFD) that is suitable for personal water- craft use.

●Wear protective clothing. Severe internal injuries can occur if water is forced into body cavities as a result of falling into the water or being near the jet thrust nozzle.

Normal swimwear does not adequately pro- tect against forceful water entry into the rec- tum or vagina. All riders must wear a wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides equivalent protection. Such clothing in- cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but does not include spandex or similar fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts.

1USCG approved PFD

2Wetsuit bottom

●Eye protection is recommended to keep wind, water, and glare from the sun out of your eyes while you operate your water- craft. Restraining straps for eyewear are made which are designed to float should your eyewear fall in the water.

Footwear and gloves are recommended.

●Helmets meeting Snell or DOT standards are required for IJSBA-sanctioned races. You must decide whether to wear a helmet while you ride for recreation. You should

know that a helmet could help protect you in certain kinds of accidents and that it could injure you in others.

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.

A helmet may have potential safety haz- ards, as well. Falling into the water could risk the chance of the helmet catching wa- ter, commonly known as “bucketing”, and the resulting strain on your neck could cause choking, severe and permanent neck injuries, or death. A helmet could also increase the risk of an accident if it reduces your vision or hearing, or if it distracts you or increases your fatigue.

How should you decide if a helmet’s potential safety benefits outweigh its potential risks for you? Consider your particular riding conditions. Consider factors such as your riding environment and your riding style and ability. Also consider the likelihood of traffic congestion, and the water surface conditions.

If you decide to wear a helmet based upon your riding circumstances, choose one carefully. Look for a helmet designed for personal watercraft use, if possible. Consider a helmet meeting Snell or DOT stan- dards. If you will be engaging in closed- course competition, follow the helmet requirements of the sanctioning organization.

●Never operate the watercraft after consum- ing alcohol or taking other drugs.

●For reasons of safety and proper care of the watercraft, always perform the pre-opera- tion checks listed on page 57 before operat- ing the watercraft.

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