Additional Precautions For Towed Skier/Rider - Axis A20 Owner's Manual

• Notify the boat operator of status and changing conditions with the towed person, and
inform the boat driver of the towed person's readiness to start, their desire to go faster
or slower, or that they have fallen and are in need of retrieval.
• Deploy the fallen skier flag when the towed person falls, if needed. In some states, it is
required to raise the "fallen skier" flag when the skier has fallen.
• Monitor the tow line to ensure that it does not become tangled, it does not become
wrapped around anyone in the boat, and it does not become wrapped around the towed
person. Also monitor the tow line so that it does not become tangled in the propeller.
Notify the boat operator if any of these conditions are observed to avoid potential
injury.
• Remind the boat operator to shut off the engine when persons are on the swim
platform or in the water near the back of the boat.
• Towed persons should:
• Wear a PFD.
• Not approach the back of the boat if the engine is running.
• Not become entangled in a tow line or wrap a tow line around any body part.
• Know signals to communicate with the observer and boat operator.
additional
precautions
for
towed
skier/rider
prior to operator starting the boat engine or putting the boat into gear.
• Slowly take up slack in tow lines before accelerating to watersports speeds. Jerking the
slack out of a tow line can cause high forces on the rope and towing equipment. This may
cause the rope or equipment to break and the rope to snap back at occupants of your boat
and at the towed person.
• Never put your arm, head or any other part of your body through the handle/bridle of the
ski or wakeboarding line, nor wrap the line around any part of the body at any time. If you
fall, the line will tighten and forcefully constrict around your body part and may result in
amputation.
• DO NOT ski near swimming areas, beaches, personal watercraft, or other vessels/boats.
• Never attempt land or dock starts. These activities will increase your risk of injury or death.
• DO NOT jump from a boat that is moving at any speed, nor enter or exit the water when the
engine is running.
• DO NOT "back up" to anyone in the water, they will be in danger of hitting the spinning
propeller which can cause severe injury or death.
• DO NOT follow directly behind another boat or skier/rider without leaving an adequate
safe distance in case that towed person falls into the water. You will need ample time and
distance to maneuver your boat away from that person in the water and to avoid their tow
boat which will be circling back to retrieve their downed person.
• DO NOT participate in towed watersports at night. It is illegal and other boats will not be
able to see you, nor will they anticipate or expect your presence behind the towing boat.
Furthermore, once you fall they will not see you swimming.
• Wear wet suits or protective shorts when engaging in high energy skiing/riding
to prevent abrasions, hypothermia, and injuries to orifices (rectal and vaginal) from
impact with the water surface.
• Inspect watersports equipment for wear, fraying, etc., before use. DO NOT use
if they show signs of wear or fraying. Ropes or watersport equipment tow points
may break during use, causing you to coast into obstacles or fall with the risk of
being struck by another vessel.
• Inspect the boat tow points before use. If there is any evidence of corrosion
or other damage, do not use until it has been inspected by your authorized boat
dealer.
• NEVER attach ski/wakeboard rope to anything but approved pylons and
wakeboard towers. Make sure tow ropes are properly attached to the boat tow
points.
• The skier/rider should verbally indicate that s/he is safely clear of the boat
Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 38