Operation
49
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and light
boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block your
vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so
that the engine stops if you, the operator, fall
off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All
riders must wear a PFD that is approved by
the appropriate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal inju-
ries can occur if water is forced into body cav-
ities as a result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal swim-
wear does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into the rectum and vagi-
na. All riders must wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly woven,
sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such as den-
im, but does not include spandex or similar
fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts. A full
wetsuit can also protect against hypothermia
(subnormal body temperature) and abra-
sions.Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep wind,
water, and glare from the sun out of your eyes
while you operate your watercraft. Restraining
straps for eyewear are made which are de-
signed to float should your eyewear fall in the
water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with a passenger until your
operating skills are fully developed.
EJU33020Riding with a passenger
When a passenger is on board with the oper-
ator, the watercraft handles differently, and is
not as easy to maneuver, so operating it re-
quires a higher degree of skill. Before at-
tempting to operate the watercraft with a
passenger on board, the operator must prac-
tice operating the watercraft alone enough to
be able to acquire the necessary skills.
The passenger must always wear a PFD that
is approved by the appropriate authorities and
a wetsuit bottom or equivalent.
WARNING
EWJ00520
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. The passenger should not attempt
to board the watercraft if the operator is
applying throttle.
Do not give a ride to a child whose feet cannot
reach the floor of the footwell. The passenger
should hold on firmly to the operator and keep
both feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor.
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