Falling Off

Personal watercraft are designed with the understanding that the operator will fall off occasionally. If you take a spill, most personal watercraft have one of the following options:

A lanyard (cord) shut-off device that shuts down the engine if the rider falls off. The lanyard is connected to a terminal on the PWC. Its other end is fastened around your wrist or clipped to your life jacket. When you fall off, the lanyard disconnects from the PWC causing the engine to shut down. The machine will glide to a stop or it will stop when it collides with something.

In the picture above, a father talks to his daughter about the importance of a safety lanyard. Should the operator fall off, the lanyard will disconnect causing the PWC to shut down.

Some older PWCs have an automatic idle and self-circling capacity if you fall off. The PWC will circle slowly in the area until you can re-board. In either case, swim to your PWC, re- board carefully at the stern, reattach the lanyard (if applicable), and restart your engine. Either return to shore, if your spill has made you tired or winded, or continue your ride. As always, keep a close eye on your surroundings and other traffic in the area.

If your personal watercraft has stalled or will not restart, do not attempt to swim to shore. Stay with your vessel and continue to wear your life jacket. You and your PWC, together, are easier for rescuers to find than you alone, with only your head above water. Check the water intake area to be sure it is free from weeds and debris. Sometimes an engine will restart after it sits for a few minutes. Know your manufacturer's recommendations for restarting your engine. If the engine will not restart, signal a nearby vessel and ask for a tow to shore. Do not attempt on-the-water engine repairs. Most units are watertight only with the engine cover in place. Waves or wakes could easily swamp your PWC.

As mentioned in other portions of PWCSafetySchool, falling off a PWC is expected and not as critical as falling overboard from a boat. However, if a passenger falls off a PWC there are standard boating procedures you should follow.

Even if the person overboard knows how to swim, toss the person a PFD, floating cushion or other floatable object with a line attached. If the boat is underway the operator should slow down immediately. Maneuver carefully to avoid hitting the person in the water. Warn approaching boats and approach the person in the water from downwind or into the current. When trying to pick up the overboard person put the engine in neutral. If there is no wind or current you can turn the engine off.

Falling Overboard

On other types of boats falling overboard can be life-threatening. Obviously, the best solution is not to have people fall overboard. Here are some quick tips that will help people stay onboard:

1. Do no sit on the bow, gunwale, seat backs or any other area not designed for seating. The seats are there for a reason.



2. Do not sit on pedestal seats when underway at greater than idle speed.



3. Do not stand up in the vessel or move about while the vessel is under way.



4. Don't lean out from small vessels.

If someone falls overboard, the vessel's operator should reduce speed and throw the person a PFD if they aren't wearing one. Turn the vessel around and slowly pull alongside the person in the water, approaching the victim from downwind (just as you would on the PWC) or into the current, whichever is stronger. Stop the engine and pull the person on board over the stern, keeping the weight in the vessel balanced.

Rendering Assistance

In the event of an emergency, individuals in charge of a vessel are required to provide assistance so far as they can do so without serious danger to their own vessel or the individuals on board their vessel. Assistance from other boaters can reduce the loss of life, injury or property damage resulting from boating accidents.

If the boat capsizes don a lifejacket (if you aren't already wearing one), make sure all passengers are wearing lifejackets and hold on to the nearest floating object. Also make use of improvised floating aids such as a cushion or Styrofoam cooler. Count the number of people to make sure no one is missing. Check and treat serious or life-threatening injuries. If possible right the boat and bail out the water. If you can't right the boat, climb on to the hull and signal for help. Use signaling devices to tell rescuers you are in danger. Blow a whistle, yell or use the visual distress signal (wave your arms) to get attention. Avoid hypothermia by preventing heat loss. Keep you head out of the water, climb on the boat's hull as far out of the water as possible. If you can't get out of the water, curl into a ball or huddle with other passengers and limit your movement. Stay with the boat if at all possible. A boat is far easier to see than a single swimmer. Swimming to shore should be considered only as a last resort.

Running Aground Prevention and Response

Preventing running aground is an important boat operator competence. Following proper procedures in the event of grounding can reduce or minimize fatalities, boat damage, submerged object damage, and responses by public and private entities for salvage operations.

Although PWC can operate in much shallower water than propeller driven boats there are safety and environmental concerns regarding PWC operation in shallow water. Shallow water can become no water with the risk of injury to the operator and damage to the PWC if there's a sudden stop. As a general rule it is wise to operate a PWC within the channel marker boundaries. Avoid rocky areas and jetties because of unpredictable currents and other obvious hazards.

Always be alert to your surroundings. Ripples, boils, coloration can indicate shallow water, reefs of shoals. In coastal waters, consult a tide book. There may be good water depth in an area during high tide, but not during low tide. Know the area where you'll be boating. Check charts for possible shallow areas or other underwater hazards. Learn the meanings of numbers, shadings and symbols presented on charts. They will help insure a safe boating experience. Use caution rather than convenience. Don't guess about the depth of the water.

If you run aground you should first check the damage to the boat's hull. Make sure the boat is not sinking or taking on water. Identify the cause of the grounding (sand, rock, sharp objects, etc.) If it won't damage the hull you can put your PWC in reverse and try to back out or put your weight to one side to loosen your PWC. Waiting for a higher tide may be the solution if you ran aground because of a low tide. If these fail, stay with your PWC and perform the visual distress signal until help arrives. Another boater may be able to pull you free. If there are obstacles that may increase damage to the hull or if there has been serious hull damage contact the local law enforcement agency of the U.S. Coast Guard for help.