Operator`s manual

3-16
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RIDING YOUR WATER VEHICLE
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR WATER
VEHICLE
Riding your water vehicle requires skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Riding your new water vehicle can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours
of pleasure. But it is essential to familiarize
yourself with the operation of the water vehi-
cle to achieve the skill necessary to enjoy
riding safely. Before you begin to ride be
sure you have read this owner’s/operator’s
manual completely and understand the
operation of the controls. Pay particular
attention to the safety information on pages
1-8 to 1-14. Read all caution and warning
labels on your water vehicle.
Also read the Riding Practice Tips booklet
supplied with your water vehicle.
Remember: Your water vehicle is designed
for one operator and two passengers only.
Never have more than three people on the
vehicle at any time.
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LEARNING TO RIDE YOUR WATER
VEHICLE
Before riding, always perform the pre-opera-
tion checks listed on page 3-3. The short
time spent checking the machine’s condition
will reward you with added safety and a
more reliable water vehicle.
Check state and local laws before operating
your water vehicle. Read the Boat Handling
Instructions issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
for basic safe boating information.
Select a wide area to learn in, where visibil-
ity is good and other boat traffic is light.
Have someone in a boat accompany you if
operating far from shore. Keep the proper
distance from other boats and vehicles. Do
not ride where people are swimming.
Always attach the engine stop switch lan-
yard to your left wrist before operating.
You must always wear a U.S. Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device.
Strong streams of water from the jet nozzle,
or impact with the water surface can be dan-
gerous. You must wear a wet suit. Normal
swimming attire may not adequately protect
you. A wet suit will help protect against inter-
nal injuries to orifices (rectum and vagina)
from strong jet streams, and from impact
with the water surface. Wet suits also help
protect against hypothermia (low body tem-
perature) and abrasions.
You should wear water shoes to help protect
feet from objects hidden under water. Wear-
ing gloves can also help protect hands from
abrasions.
Wind, water, and glare from the sun may get
in your eyes while you operate your water
vehicle, reducing your ability to see. You
may want to consider wearing eye protection
such as sunglasses or goggles while riding.
Some may find, however, that eye protection
obstructs or distorts their vision, and dis-
tracts from operation.
Only you know the circumstances in which
you operate your water vehicle, so only you
can decide if the benefits of eye protection
outweigh the potential hazards.