Water sports are a great way to relax and bond with your children. You create great memories, encourage your children to spend time out in the sun and fresh air, and maybe even put their smart phone down for five minutes. If summer fun includes jet skis, you need to understand and follow certain jet ski safety tips, especially if your children will be driving or riding on personal watercraft.

Many adults don’t understand the hazards and potential accidents of personal watercraft (PWC) nor are they trained in Jet Ski safety. This can mean that they don’t teach their children basic Jet Ski safety tips to avoid accidents when they take to the water.

Jet skis are different from boats and need to be handled differently when being boarded, driven or re-boarded after they have tipped.

Some basic jet ski accident-avoidance safety tips to follow include:

These tips will help you stay safe while on your jet ski in the water, however there are safety courses available in most states that offer a comprehensive guide to training you to operate PWCs safely.

According to the American Boating Organization, 84% of personal watercraft operators have had no safety training and this has led to numerous needless jet ski accidents, some with horrific outcomes.

The lack of Jet Ski accident prevention training includes Jet Ski owners as well as individuals who rent PWCs while on vacation. Each state has requirements regarding boat safety programs for children and adults who want to operate jet skis or boats. Visit the American Boating Organization website to find out what requirements your state has for teens operating PWCs.

Another benefit to your kids taking a boating or PWC jet ski safety course is that it will teach them the regulations your state has regarding operating jet skis on the water. States often have speed and proximity limits for jet skis. Familiarity with state laws and regulations will keep your child safe and avoid personal water craft accidents when they are on the local lake.

Even if your child is experienced operating jet skis, adult supervision is always a good way to make sure they are following PWC safety rules and realities. Teenagers are often distracted or believe pushing boundaries will increase the thrill of the ride. Having an adult present when your child is operating PWCs will help remind them of the rules and may prevent an attempt at performing stunts while they are out on the water.

Jet skis can be a fun way to spend time on the water but safety and accident avoidance must be the first and last thought in a rider’s mind. As a parent, you have a responsibility to understand how to drive a PWC safely and make sure your child learns and follows the rules to have a safe and happy summer.

If you or your teen are involved in a jetski accident with serious injuries, you should contact an experienced injury lawyer experienced with this type of case immediately. An insurance company representative at this point is not your friend.

The post Avoid Jet Ski Accidents with These Jet Ski Safety Tips for Your Teens appeared first on Gump & Faiella, LLC | Missouri.