| Each year hundreds of propeller accidents leave | | | | towards propeller injury avoidance. They maintain |
| tragedy in their wake. The Office of Boating | | | | that technologies, such as guards, propulsion, |
| Safety reported that in 2002 there were 239 | | | | interlocks and sensors, will make all the difference |
| accidents involving motor or propeller strikes | | | | in the world when it comes to preventing injury |
| among recreational boaters. 47 of those accidents | | | | and death. |
| resulted in death. Plan for a safe time on the | | | | Although improving technology is a step towards |
| water and minimize accidents. | | | | making boating a safer past time, the National |
| The Office of Boating Safety recommends a | | | | Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Safety |
| combined approach of increased awareness and | | | | first recommend using education and a little |
| improved technologies to reduce the number of | | | | caution. They believe it's important to work with |
| injuries and death resulting from this type of | | | | the media to promote safety and to encourage |
| incident. | | | | age-appropriate PWC activities. In fact, they |
| The National Children's Center for Rural and | | | | agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics |
| Agricultural Health and Safety has also taken | | | | that operating personal watercraft is inappropriate |
| notice of the increase in propeller related injuries | | | | for children under 16 years old. |
| and note that the increase in injuries is probably | | | | Education is still a key step towards greater |
| related to a direct increase in the number of boat | | | | safety for all ages. Not only is it important to |
| owners in America. "Since 1990, personal | | | | learn safe PWC operation, but also it is imperative |
| watercraft (PWC) use in the United States has | | | | for all passengers to wear personal flotation |
| increased by an estimated 400%. In 1996, there | | | | devices and protective wetsuits. |
| were approximately 900,000 PWCs in use," reads | | | | The risk of injuries can also be reduced by |
| the web site. | | | | traveling at safe speeds appropriate for conditions |
| The web site defines PWCs as being | | | | and during daylight hours. Additional educational |
| approximately eight feet long, powered by | | | | issues include avoiding designated swimming areas |
| self-contained engines with an enclosed propeller | | | | and refraining from jumping the wakes generated |
| that uses pressured water for thrust. Most | | | | by other vessels. |
| models are designed to accommodate two to | | | | In addition to promoting safety education through |
| three passengers. A PWC cannot be steered | | | | articles, web sites and the media, PWC |
| when the engine is off, even though momentum | | | | manufacturers should encourage designs for |
| may still carry the PWC forward. | | | | PWCs that promote safety. The advance of |
| As the number of PWC's on our waterways | | | | technology that will increase the safety of |
| increases, along with the number of other | | | | boaters is in their hands. PWC manufacturers can |
| watercraft, it's not surprising that there has been | | | | also contribute to safety education by promoting |
| a four-fold increased in injuries associated with the | | | | PWC operation by persons 16 years of age or |
| watercraft since 1990. | | | | older and by depicting safe and age-appropriate |
| Although each state has established regulations | | | | advertising. To go one step further, they can also |
| through a State Boating Law Administration, the | | | | offer training for operators on safe operation with |
| number of propeller injuries has yet to be curbed | | | | the sale of every PWC. As members of the |
| or stopped. The threat of propeller related injuries | | | | public, we can encourage the manufacturers to |
| and death doesn't just effect adults. In 1997, | | | | take the above-mentioned steps. We can also |
| 22% of related injuries in the U.S.A. occurred to | | | | stress the important role they can play in |
| youth under the age of 18. Of those injured | | | | strengthening PWC regulations to protect youth |
| youth, 46% were PWC operators and 27% were | | | | from injury. |
| passengers. Because PWC-related propeller injuries | | | | In the end, PWC operators are not only |
| don't discriminate based on age, it's important for | | | | responsible for their own safety, but the safety |
| people of all ages to realize how important safety | | | | of others in and around their watercraft. If you |
| is while on the water. Of the nonfatal injuries, the | | | | own a PWC, make the safety of everyone with |
| most frequent injuries occur to the leg, head and | | | | you a top priority. Make passengers know that |
| lower trunk. | | | | they must wear personal flotation devices at all |
| Blunt trauma is the leading cause of fatalities. | | | | times and that horseplay is not acceptable. |
| According to the National Children's Center for | | | | Remind them that although playing on the water |
| Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, | | | | is fun, it is also a big responsibility. Their safety |
| inexperience, excessive speed and careless | | | | and possibly their life may depend on how well |
| manoeuvres by the operators are the | | | | they follow your safety rules. |
| predominant causes of injuries. This is especially | | | | Although accidents do happen, plan for a safe |
| true of those using a rented watercraft. | | | | time on the water and take the steps to minimize |
| The Office of Boating Safety says that enhanced | | | | the risk of an accident. You'll be glad that you did! |
| user awareness and training is just one step | | | | |