Staying Safe On Your Watercraft and Seadoo
Safety and seadoos, or any watercraft, is an issue that all boaters should take seriously. In fact, it doesn't matter if you are riding a pwc, paddling a canoe, or sailing a 40 foot yacht, safety on the water is something that everyone needs to learn about and practice, for your safety and the safety of others.
The most important element in water safety is the availability and correct usage of a life jacket. There must be one life jacket per person on all watercraft. On smaller watercraft, everyone should wear a life jacket at all times, these types of water craft include sailboats, canoes, kayaks, Seadoos, motor boats, etc. On larger boats such as cruise ships or ferries it is not so important to wear your life jacket at all times. In those cases it is important that you know where to find a life jacket if one is needed.
Alcohol and boats are like alcohol and motor vehicles - they never mix. It is important never to operate a watercraft under the influence of alcohol. Not only is it illegal, it is extremely risky. The number one cause of boating accident deaths in California is alcohol.
Another extremely important aspect to watercraft safety is to set out a plan. Tell someone you trust and who intends to stay on shore of your plan. Set a departure time and a return time. Tell your friend of your intended route. Put the details in writing and try to stick to the plan as much as possible. If your friend notices that you are late arriving back home, then he or she can contact the authorities and advise them of where you might be.
In order to meet the safety checklist for small watercraft, there are a number of things that you must carry on board any time you are out on the water, which include things like a pfd for each person on the boat, a sound making device, a light or proper lighting on your boat for sailing after dark, something to manually propel your boat, something to bail water from your boat, etc. For the complete list of legally required safety items, you should check with the local coast guard. On top of the legal requirements, I always like to make sure that I have some other safety items with me, such as sunscreen and emergency water and food.
Watercraft of all types are a fun part of holidays and summertime. However, watercraft can also be very dangerous. If you follow some common sense safety tips concerning watercraft then you and your family can have fun and be safe at the same time..