Jet Ski: Splashing Around at Speed

A jet ski is a recreational personal water craft (PWC) that the rider sits or stands on, rather than inside, as in a boat. Models have an inboard engine driving a pump jet that has a screw-shaped impeller to create thrust for propulsion and steering. They are often referred by the brand names WaveRunner, Jet Ski, or Sea-Doo.

Most are designed for two or three people, though four-passenger models exist. Stand-up jet skis were first to see mass production and are popular for single riders. The invention of jet skis is credited to Clayton Jacobson of Arizona, originally a motocross enthusiast.

Modern jet skis include a lanyard attached to a dead man's switch, to turn off the vessel if the operator falls off, provided the lanyard is attached to the operator.

Surfers use jet skis to get to waves and get up to speed with them; this is known as tow-in surfing. Jet skis can also be used for towing water skiers on flat water.

Control and Handling

Jet skis present safety concerns in terms of their ability to steer. Since steering is achieved from aiming the nozzle of the pump jet, there is no rudder involved, which means the craft cannot be steered in an emergency breakdown situation.

Steering is significantly reduced when the throttle is not being applied; this leads to dangerous situations because it is against one's instinct in an emergency to accelerate. However, turning is not effective without doing so.

After market products are available to help with this problem, including different types of rudder steering systems such as Cobra Jet Steering. In 2001 Sea-Doo added the OPAS (Off-Power Assisted Steering) system, which uses rudders installed on the rear sides of the PWC to assist in steering.

Injury Hazards

Are you aware of the dangers? Well some danger and excitement are part of the fun but nothing is worth such injuries as those that can be caused be lack of protections against falling. Safety suits or robust clothes are worth the effort.

Apart from the obvious hazards of collisions and mechanical breakdowns common to all vehicles, PWCs feature the unique hazard of orifice injuries.

Such injuries are the logical result of the unusually close proximity of PWC riders to the output end of the pump jet, as well as the fact that personal watercraft are usually not enclosed. A rider who falls (or is ejected) off the back can land directly in the path of the PWC's high-pressure jet of water.

Unless a rider is appropriately dressed in garments made out of a strong fabrics, the jet will easily penetrate any orifice it reaches. The consequences include permanent disability or death.

So get properly kitted out. Wear robust kite pants or jeans, a long sleeve top like a hoodie for sunburn protection and a lifevest. Now you're ready for wet fun on the water.