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Carbon Monoxide: The exhaust from the engine on a watercraft contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which is a
colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. Excessive exposure to CO can cause severe injury or death. Follow this
advice to avoid injury:
•
Never "Platform Drag" by holding onto the boarding platform or be dragged directly behind the watercraft.
This is where CO will be.
•
Do not sit on the watercraft transom or boarding platform while the engine is running.
•
Make sure the engine is properly tuned and running well. An improperly tuned engine produces excessive
exhaust and CO.
•
If you smell engine exhaust, do not stay in that position.
•
Go to the United States Coast Guard's website: www.uscgboating.org for more information on how to help
protect yourself and others from the dangers of CO.
Tow Ropes: Tow ropes come in different lengths and strengths for different activities. Make sure any rope you
are using is suited for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, or riding and that it is in good condition.
•
Never use a rope that is frayed, knotted, unraveling or discolored from use or being left in the sun. If a rope
breaks while in use, it can recoil at the rider being towed or into the watercraft where it might strike passen-
gers. Replace tow ropes with any sign of damage.
•
Never use a tow rope with elastic or bungee material to pull skiers or riders.
•
Rope should be attached to the watercraft in an approved fashion with hardware designed for towing. Refer
to you watercraft manual for instructions on proper tow rope attachment.
•
Always keep people and tow ropes away from the propeller, even when idling.
•
If a tow rope should become entangled in a propeller, shut off the engine, remove the key and put it in your
pocket before retrieving the rope.
Preparing to wakeboard, wakesurf or ride: Always have a person other than the driver as an observer to
look out for the rider.
•
BE sure the driver is aware of the experience and ability level of the boarder/rider.
•
The driver, observer and rider need to agree on hand signals before riding. Signals should include READY,
STOP, SPEED UP, and SLOW DOWN.
•
Start the engine only after making sure that no one in the water is near the propeller.
•
Turn the engine off when people are getting into or out of the watercraft, or in the water near the wa-
tercraft.
•
Always make sure the tow rope is not wrapped around anyone's hands, arms, legs, or other parts of the
body.
•
Start the watercraft and move slowly to remove slack until the tow rope is tight.
•
When the skier/rider signals READY and there is no traffic ahead, take off in a straight line. Adjust the speed
according to the signals given by the rider.
Wakesports or Riding: The watercraft and rider should always maintain a sufficient distance from obstacles
so a rider falling or coasting and/or watercraft will not encounter any obstacle.
•
Do NOT use in shallow water or near shore, docks, pilings, swimmers, other watercraft, or any other obsta-
cles.
•
Use only on the water.
•
Never attempt land or dock starts. This will increase your risk of injury or death.
•
Always wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard Type III (PFD) or ISO approved Life Jacket.
•
The faster you ride, the greater your risk of injury.
•
Never make sharp turns that may cause a slingshot effect on the rider's speed.
•
Rider should be towed at an appropriate speed for their ability level.
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