General Information; Safety - The Right Place To Get Started - Johnson PL4 Operator's Manual

SAFETY — THE RIGHT PLACE TO GET
STARTED
This Operator's Guide contains essential informa-
tion to help prevent personal injury and damage to
equipment. It will acquaint the operator and pas-
sengers with the Evinrude/Johnson outboard and
its controls, operation, maintenance and boating
safety measures. Make sure all operators read, un-
derstand and follow the contents. This Guide
should be kept in a waterproof bag with the product
at all times during operation. If the product owner-
ship is transferred, this Guide should be forwarded
to the subsequent owners.
This Operator's Guide uses the following signal
words identifying important safety messages.
These safety alert signal words mean:
ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
DANGER
Indicates an imminently hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, WILL result in
death or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, CAN result in severe
injury or death.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, MAY result in minor or
moderate personal injury or property dam-
age. It also may be used to alert against
unsafe practices.
IMPORTANT: Identifies information that will help
prevent damage to machinery and appears next to
information that controls correct assembly and op-
eration of the product.
Although the mere reading of such information
does not eliminate the hazard, the understanding
and application of the information will promote the
correct use of your outboard engine.
2

- General Information

GENERAL INFORMATION
A responsible, educated boater will fully appreciate
the pleasures of boating and will be a safe boater.
Boating Safety Classes are conducted by the U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron
and some Red Cross Chapters. For information
about classes, call toll free 1-800-336-BOAT. For
additional information about boating safety and reg-
ulations call: U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Hot-
line 1-800-368-5647. Outside North America
please contact your Dealer or distributor for details
about boating safety.
SAFETY MEASURES — General
To fully appreciate the pleasures, enjoyment
and excitement of boating there are some ba-
sic rules that should be observed and fol-
lowed by any boater. Some rules may be new
to you and others may be common sense or
obvious... irrespective, take them seriously!
Failure to follow this safety information and
safe boating rules could result in injury to you,
your passengers or other water users.
Become completely familiar with the control
and operation of your boat and motor before
embarking on your first trip or taking on a pas-
senger(s). If you have not had the opportunity
to do so with your Dealer, practice driving in
a suitable area and feel the response of each
control. Be familiar with all controls before ap-
plying the throttle above idle speed. As the
operator, you are in control and responsible
for safe operation.
SAFETY MEASURES — Operation
Be sure at least one of your passengers
knows how to handle your boat in case of an
emergency.
All passengers should know the location of
emergency equipment and how to use it.
All safety equipment and personal flotation
devices must be in good condition and suit-
able for your type of boat. Always comply with
the regulations that apply to your boat.
Contact with rotating propeller is likely to re-
sult in serious injury or death. Do not allow
anyone near a propeller, even when the en-
gine is off. Propeller blades can be sharp and
can continue to turn even after the engine is
shut off. Always shut off the engine when
boat is near people in the water.