B.-.4.Water.sports; Water.sport.guidelines; Water.skiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding - Four winns 318 VISTA Owner's Manual

B - 4 WATER SPORTS
PERSONAL INJURY
Four Winns boats are not designed for and
®
should not be used for pulling parasails, kites,
gliders or any device which can become
airborne. Use boat only for appropriate water
sports. (See Preface for actual warning label).
Water.skiing,.wakeboarding,.kneeboarding,.or.riding..
a towed, inflatable apparatus are some of the more
popular.water.sports..Taking.part.in.any.water.sport.
requires.increased.safety.awareness.by.the.partici-
pant.and.the.boat.operator..If.you.have.never.pulled.
someone.behind.your.boat.before,.it.is.a.good.idea.to.
spend.some.hours.as.an.observer,.working.with.and.
learning.from.an.experienced.driver..It.is.also.impor-
tant.to.be.aware.of.the.skill.and.experience.of.the.
person.being.pulled..Always.have.a.second.person..
on.board.to.observe.the.person.in.the.water.so.the.
driver.can.concentrate.on.operating.the.boat.
A. Water Sport Guidelines
Everyone.participating.in.a.water.sport.should.observe.
these.guidelines:
1.. Allow.only.capable.swimmers.to.take.part.in.any.
water.sport.
2. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD)
approved.by.the.US.Coast.Guard..Wearing..
a.properly.designed.PFD.helps.a.stunned.or..
unconscious person stay afloat.
3... Be.considerate.of.others.with.whom.you.share..
the.water.
4.. Give.immediate.attention.to.a.person.who.has.
fallen..He.or.she.is.vulnerable.in.the.water.alone.
and.may.not.be.seen.by.other.boaters..
5.. Approach.a.person.in.the.water.from.the.lee.side.
(opposite.the.direction.of.the.wind)..Turn off the
motor at least a boat length from the person.
6.. Turn.engine.off.and.anchor.before.swimming.
7.. Always.participate.in.water.sports.in.safe.areas..
Stay.away.from.other.boats,.beaches,.restricted.
areas,.swimmers.and.heavily.traveled.waterways..
Boating Safety - Section B
8... Swim.only.in.areas.designated.as.safe.for.swim-
ming..These.are.usually.marked.with.a.swim.area.
buoy.(see.Figure.B-15)..Do.not.swim.alone.or.at.
night.
Figure B-15: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing
serious injury or death. Shut engine off and
remove ignition key when anyone is swimming
nearby. (See Section B-D).
9.. Do.not.allow.anyone.near.the.propeller(s),.even.
when.the.engine.is.off..Propeller.blades.are.sharp.
and.can.continue.to.turn.even.after.the.engine.is.
off..Stay.at.least.150.feet.away.from.areas.marked.
by diver down float. See Figure B-16.
Figure B-16: Diver Down Float
10.. . . D o.not.drive.the.boat.directly.behind.a.water.
skier..At.25.miles.per.hour,.the.boat.will.overtake.
a.fallen.skier.who.was.200.feet.in.front.in.about..
5.seconds.
B. Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
The.popular.sport.of.water.skiing.has.brought.a..
special.set.of.safety.precautions.to.observe.in.boating..
The.following.guides.help.prevent.accidents.while..
water.skiing.
1.. Water.ski.only.in.safe.areas,.away.from.other.
boats.and.swimmers,.out.of.channels,.and.in..
water.free.of.underwater.obstructions.
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