Hayling Island PWC Club
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Safety Section
Safety is something the club take very seriously and this web page is aimed at providing all PWC users with some useful knowledge to help keep you and your family safe whilst you are having fun. The sea is a very dangerous place and if it is not respected you can find yourself in difficulty very quickly. It is true when people say "worse things happen at sea!" If you experience engine failure or a man over board, simple situations can turn into life threatening scenarios for those who are oblivious or unprepared for this enviornment.
To download or
view the RNLI Personal
Watercraft leaflet you can click on the icon, otherwise you
can read our simple recommendations to help you be more prepared. For
more RNLI
Sea Safety information contact the RNLI.Please see our other sections for trailer maintenance, launching, Navigation hazards in the Solent and recommended equipment.
PWC or Jet-ski's as they are also known can be very dangerous due to the nature of their speed and the environment that they are used in. We recommend the following guidelines when using your PWC or Jetski anywhere.
PWC
Safety checklist
- Always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device), we recommend a buoyancy aid
- Always use the Kill Cord so that it is attached to your person and operates as instructed
- Never go out alone, always buddy up with another PWC user
- Always carry a means of communication to summon help. We recommed a VHF Radio
- Carry
emergency flares
- Make sure your check and understand the state of tide, wind and weather forecast
- Carry out pre-launch checks (engine, fuel, oil, bungs etc)
- Tell
someone where you are going and let them know when you get back!
- Get
RYA Trained
Glossary
The Kill Cord
The kill cord is a device that with one end attaches to your person (usually your arm or your PFD) and the other end will attach to the Jetski. The idea is that if you get ejected, capsize or are parted from the Jetski for any reason the removal of the kill cord will automatically shut down the ignition system so that the Jetski is immobilised for safety.
P.F.D
A PFD is a personal flotation device. We recommend the use of a buoyancy aid. A Bouyancy aid differs from a lifejacket as it is only designed to help keep you afloat where help is at hand. A Bouyancy aid will not keep a unconscious person upright so that their head is kept out of the water, it will simply aid your flotation and increase your natural bouyancy. A Lifejacket by comparison is designed to keep your head out of the water, whilst increasing your bouyancy. It is generally agreed that a bouyancy aid is the safety item of choice for jetskiers due to the high speed nature of the activity and the likeliness of water immersion. Jetsking is considered a semi-immersion water sport and therefore lifejackets are not generally suitable for the activity. Bouyancy aids should be purchased that meet and dispaly the CE approval mark and should be rated at a minimum of 50 Newtons.
