Jet Ski Safety

We Are Closed Due to Repeated Vandalism.

At East Coast Jet Ski Adventures, we take the safety of our customers very seriously. Every jet ski rental we conduct includes a brief safety course, because no one wants accident or injuries ruining their vacation.

Safety Rules for Jet Skis and Personal Watercraft

Personal watercrafts or PWCs are safe – this is not a dangerous or even risky undertaking – but they are not toys, and accidents can happen when operators don’t respect them. Below are some guidelines to follow to avoid a watercraft accident ruining your day.

Before You Ride

Pay close attention to the safety tips our staff give you, as well as the overview of your machine. Your guide is very familiar with your personal watercraft, so take advantage of their expertise. In particular, you should understand how to use the throttle, stop, and reverse. On a jet ski, the throttle is required to make a turn, therefore, it is essential to controlling the personal watercraft.
Familiarize yourself with the handlebar steering and safety lanyard. Keep in mind that you should never operate the jet ski without the lanyard attached to both the jet ski and the driver. Remove the lanyard when you aren’t operating the craft.
All riders must wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket. Other apparel like eyewear, gloves, footwear, and Lycra clothing are optional, but they can reduce the impact of wind and spray and protect sensitive skin. You will be more exposed to the elements on PWC than on boats.
Riders must never attempt to board the jet ski while the engine is running. Keep loose clothing and long hair away from the pump intake.
Abide by all East Coast Jet Ski Adventures age restrictions – these are a matter of South Carolina state law.

Safety Equipment

There’s very little equipment required to safely operate a jet ski, but a few items will keep you protected and more comfortable.

Required Safety Equipment

A US Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on the watercraft – operator and passengers
A Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher
An approved sound-signalling device like a whistle or horn
An emergency engine cutoff lanyard
Vessel registration, which must always be displayed
A backfire flame arrestor and passive ventilation system

All of these essential items will be on your jet ski or provided by East Coast Jet Ski Adventures.

Recommended Safety Equipment

A basic first-aid kit
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
A cell phone or handheld radio
A bilge pump or other dewatering device
Flares, flags, and / or signal mirrors

You are only required to wear a life jacket, but if you are jet skiing on a cooler day, a windbreaker might help reduce chill and friction. Gloves and footwear can provide additional purchase when driving at high speed, and glasses will protect your eyes from sun and spray. Always check the weather report so you can dress properly and be comfortable on your jet ski.

Jet Skiing Like a Pro

Operating a jet ski is meant to be fun, and PWC safety is meant to enhance, not hamper, your adventure. A few minutes in, and these tips will feel like second nature. Best of all, they are easy to implement and prevent injury. Being laid up in the hospital while everyone else is out enjoying the sun and water isn’t anybody’s idea of a good time, and taking a few common sense preoccupations when riding will keep that from happening.

Safely Riding Your Sea-Doo Jet Ski

Your guide will explain how to operate your jet ski before you set out during a brief safety course, but here are some tips to keep in mind during your ride. They’ll help you avoid accidents and injuries.

Always pay attention out on the waters and remembering you’re sharing them with boats. Another vessel might not be anticipating your jet skis short turning radius.
Check in both directions before turning to make sure a boat isn’t about to overtake your PWC.
Prevent collisions by keeping your craft a safe distance from other craft and the shore.
Don’t directly follow another watercraft or use your jet ski to spray others.
The driver of a jet ski must be sober, the same as any other vehicle. Operating a PWC while intoxicated is strictly against regulations.
Falls from jet skis are common and rarely result in injuries. The best thing to do if you lose control of the PWC and start to fall is to release the throttle and just let go. Get clear of the jet ski, and then reboard with the engine off. The person driving should board the jet ski first, followed by passengers.
PWC should not be ridden at night. You increase your risk of accidents and injuries because not only does the low visibility increase your risk of hitting something that you can’t see in the water, it becomes less likely that boats and other craft will see the PWC.
Don’t jump boat wakes.

Avoiding accidents is easy as long as you listen to staff, keep aware of your surroundings, and use common sense. Our jet skis are powerful and fast, and we encourage you to take advantage of their speed! If you operate the ski properly and wear your life jacket, you should have no fear of sustaining an injury during your ride.

Should you have any questions about the precautions we take, our equipment, or the jet skis themselves, we encourage you to contact us here at East Coast Jet Ski Adventures.