Yamaha XL700 WaveRunner 2001 Owner's/Operator's Manual page 16

● Helmets meeting Snell or DOT standards
are required for IJSBA-sanctioned races.
You must decide whether to wear a hel-
met while you ride for recreation. You
should know that a helmet could help pro-
tect you in certain kinds of accidents and
that it could also injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some
head protection. Although helmets cannot
protect against all foreseeable impacts, a
helmet might reduce your injuries in a col-
lision with a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching
water, commonly known as "bucketing,"
and the resulting strain on your neck
could cause choking, severe and perma-
nent neck injuries, or death. A helmet
could also increase the risk of an accident
if it reduces your vision or hearing, or if it
distracts you or increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet's
potential safety benefits outweigh its
potential risks for you? Consider your par-
ticular riding conditions. Consider factors
such as your riding environment, your
riding style and your riding ability. Also
consider the likelihood of traffic conges-
tion, and the water surface conditions. If
you decide to wear a helmet based upon
your riding circumstances, choose one
carefully. Look for a helmet designed for
personal watercraft use, if possible. Con-
sider a helmet meeting Snell or DOT stan-
dards. If you will be engaging in closed-
course competition, follow the helmet
requirements of the sanctioning organiza-
tion.
● NEVER operate the watercraft after con-
suming alcohol or taking other drugs.
● For reasons of safety and proper care of
the watercraft, always perform the pre-
operation checks listed on page 3-5
before operating the watercraft.
● The operator and passengers should
always keep both feet in the footwell when
the watercraft is in motion. Lifting your
feet increases your chances of losing your
balance, and your feet being hit by objects
outside the watercraft. Do not give a ride
to children if their feet cannot reach the
floor of the footwell.
●
Passengers should firmly hold on to the
person in front of them.
●
Always consult your doctor on whether it
is safe for you to ride this watercraft if you
are pregnant or in poor health.
1-11
E