Staying Safe: Leading Causes of PWC Accidents and How to Avoid Them

At Woody’s Watersports, we offer some of the fastest and flashiest personal watercrafts available for rent, and you’re certain to have a blast when you rent from us. But it’s not all fun and games out on the water – it’s important to stay safe, too. To help in creating a more positive play environment with our equipment, let’s look at the most common causes of watercraft accidents and how you can avoid them when riding the waves.

Lack of Experience

Many watercraft accidents happen purely due to a lack of experience on behalf of the operator, says the Boat Owners Association of the United States. As a matter of fact, the National Transportation Safety Board even reported that roughly 84 percent of personal watercraft (PWC) accidents involved drivers who had no boating safety education or instruction.

How can you avoid being a statistic? It’s simple, take water safety seriously. Jet Skis are a lot of fun, and they look relatively simple to operate, but if you don’t learn how to ride them with safety in mind, then you are asking for trouble. We provide an overview of all operations with a personal orientation class for each rider before you’re able to ride, and boating licenses are required for all new riders. Keep what you learn in mind and you’ll have a fun and safe time during your rental.

Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failure is another one of the leading causes of accidents. Many things can go wrong while riding a Jet Ski, ranging from bad pumps to dead batteries. We meticulously maintain our PWCs to ensure that they’re operating in peak condition, ensuring that you won’t run into any problems while riding the waves.

Reckless Driving

Jet Skis are a ton of fun, but sometimes the adrenaline of riding one can get the best of us, leading to reckless driving. There are many variations of reckless driving, and they include everything from driver inattention and excessive speed to drinking and driving. The best way to avoid these accidents is to keep yourself in check and to always be safety conscious, no matter how much fun you may be having.

Now that you understand the most common causes of accidents, you can pay extra attention during your ride and make sure to have fun while being safe. At Woody’s Watersports, our Jet Ski rentals in Madeira Beach are the perfect way to have more fun on your spring break or summer vacation.  Make the most of your time in Florida with a personal watercraft rental! Book yours today by calling 727-391-0200.