Operator error, equipment malfunction or failure, recreational-boat operator inexperience, and the operators’ lack of maintenance and knowledge have all been identified as the most common causes of PWC-related incidents. Also, the operator’s lack of technical experience, maintenance expertise, or knowledge of the personal watercraft and his or her inability to operate the personal watercraft.
The operator’s spine, back, head, extremities, eyes, and brain are often injured in PWC-related incidents. Injuries to the operator’s eyes, ears, and lips are also possible. They’re also common in PWC-related accidents involving recreational boating entertainment, and they may happen due to the operator’s negligence or lack of understanding of PWC operations.
Accidents involving personal watercraft frequently result in fatal injuries, traumatic amputations, disfigurement, blindness, paralysis, and traumatic brain injury. Severe burns, concussions, blunt-force trauma, lacerations and lacerations, and spinal cord injuries are all likely.
According to one recent study, one out of every 106 operations resulted in a PWC-related injury. This is significantly higher than the 1 in 10,000 incidences recorded incomparable personal watercraft incidents. In the same study, the number of recorded injuries in recreational boating incidents involving the use of water skis was also found to be higher. This is because many operators have never received any form of water safety instruction.
The time between buying a new PWC and having an accident is minimal. Most operators bought their boat before doing some boating safety training or taking advantage of any boating safety knowledge or education programs. The majority of these operators own other forms of personal watercraft, and the PWC was purchased without any safety training or educational material. Operators must receive the requisite safety training to ensure that they are mindful of any potential risks associated with operating a PWC and can take steps to minimize the risk of injury. Furthermore, many operators are in a rush to get a boat out on the water, so they skip over crucial safety details or measures that could save them time and money.
A successful PWC operator should take the following measures to reduce the risk of injury:
- Prepare a boat for transport by properly loading it. The majority of operators have the bad habit of letting their PWCs weigh down or not adequately bracing their boat for transport. It is much easier for a boat to capsize and cause damage if it is allowed to float. Although some operators have started placing weights on their vessels, this is extremely risky and could cause a capsizing. This is particularly true if operators intend to transport their boat across bodies of water, where the boat’s weight will pose a challenge. Instead, it is vital that operators put some form of weight on their boat to prevent it from capsizing.
- Before driving a boat through bodies of water or around shore breaks, double-check that it is fully stabilized and that any rigging is in place.
- Keep a close eye on any people, particularly children, when out on the water. This includes keeping an eye on children’s play and ensuring that they are sitting properly out of the water. It also involves supervising children as they swim and checking that they are wearing life jackets.
- Never drink or use drugs while on the water to avoid being inebriated and losing control of your ships.