Jet skiing is a fun activity for people of all ages. If you are not a strong swimmer but want to enjoy the thrill of being a jet skier, then it’s important that you take safety precautions before heading out on the water.
This blog post will discuss how non-swimmers can stay safe when jet skiing and offer tips on what equipment they should use while riding on their own or with an experienced rider.
Jet skiing is incredibly safe for non-swimmers. As long as you focus on safety measures like wearing a life jacket to ensure you will be able to float when you fall. This should work regardless of a rider’s swimming ability along with a lanyard tether to stop the jet ski.
Choosing to get out and enjoy the water when you are a non-swimmer may be challenging but it isn’t something to avoid.
Instead, you should take the proper precautions along with comfort level to stay as safe as possible when out in all bodies of water.
Can you Ride a Jet Ski if you Can’t Swim?
While many may think it is a requirement to be a well-versed swimmer to participate in water activities nothing could be further from the truth.
So let’s talk about riding jet skis when you can’t swim and why it is less of a concern than you would expect.
Yes, you can ride a jet ski when you can’t swim, there is no legal standing that requires swimming skills prior to a ride. When you go to a rental center they will typically offer to educate you on the basics of operation and safety as well as help you be ready for your ride.
So getting a chance to go explore the water is free to you. However, you will need to make some preparations before heading out.
The first thing is that it’s important for all new riders to wear a life jacket at all times while riding on the water.
This flotation aid alone can help anyone feel more secure about getting an opportunity to enjoy jet skiing without having swimming skills.
Swimming in a Life Jacket
However, keep in mind that jet skis are extremely flexible, so you may fall off your seat. You never know when you’ll be hit by a larger wave on the open sea. If you lose your balance, you might fall into the water.
Because the ocean is not a swimming pool, you must be ready! As a result, it’s strongly advised that you learn the regulations of jet ski riding before diving into the water.
The first and most essential precaution is to wear your life jacket at all times. This isn’t just by law or fun; it’s also vital for your safety. If you fall into the water, this gadget will keep you afloat.
If you’ve never worn a life jacket in the water, it’s suggested that you give it a try before your first jet ski ride. Put on your life jacket and make sure it fits properly. If everything is OK, get some practice in!
Only go into the water up to your chest and make sure your head is still above water. Lift your legs carefully and try to float in order to experience what it’s like.
Don’t be concerned; swimming with a life jacket is simple! You may use your legs, arms, or both to maneuver in the water. Kick your legs up and down some more and keep moving at a constant speed.
You’ll be surprised to discover that you can only move in the water by utilizing your legs and arms with little effort.
Can You Drown With a Life Jacket?
Now that you have chosen to go out with a life jacket you do need to understand there are concerns with using a life jacket.
They are not perfect but, like safety features in a car, they are there to give you the best chance to stay safe in bad situations.
While you may feel protected it is possible to drown while using a life jacket. This can happen if you are unconscious face down, caught in very rough seas where waves keep going into your mouth, or when you are in exceptionally cold water. Additionally, a life jacket only maintains buoyancy for a specific length of time.
So while you do always want to have a life jacket or life vest they are not foolproof safety measures, especially if you don’t know how it works.
Take time to learn how it works before going out on the water.
What to Do if You Fall Off the Jet Ski
Should you fall off the jet ski you should always try to go in the direction of where you are facing.
If your jet ski is still running, it will move away from you fast enough for you to be able to catch up with it quite easily if that’s what you want.
You will want to look for the reboarding handle and to grab it with one of your hands and then you will aim to grab the back of the jet ski where you can get the most leverage to pull yourself back up fully.
Once you’ve got a solid hold on the handle, push yourself up with both feet and kick water in the process. You’ll rise upward and backward onto the Jet Ski as a result of this.
Once you’re back in position, your feet should be positioned where you can regain balance. Then carefully sit back and grab the handles again and reattach your safety lanyard and start it back up.
Use The Correct Safety Gear
There are a few key safety-related gears you want regardless of your swimming ability as they are an important part of jet ski safety.
The two key pieces of gear will be the life jacket and then the lanyard.
Life Jacket / Life Vest
This is your key to overall safety, it is there regardless of swimming skill to give you the ability to be able to float and keep your head above water.
You want to ensure that it is U.S Coast Guard-Approved life jacket so you know it works and has the required level of safety for jet ski use.
A personal floatation device like this should be required by pretty much any rental location.
Safety Lanyard
This is used to attach you to the jet ski at all times while riding it, this way if you fall off there is no chance that you will get too far away from the jet Ski and lose contact with it in a large body of water.
It should be attached to your body in a way where if there was any tug on it, you would feel it.
Final Thoughts on Jet Skiing for Non-Swimmers
Learning to swim with a life jacket is something that anyone can do. As long as you feel comfortable with wearing the flotation device, then it’s possible to get out and enjoy some time on the water.
Sometimes life jackets can be a little bulky and get in the way of your jet ski ride. If that is a concern, then you need to discuss it with the staff at the resort or rental center where you will be getting out on the water from.
There are many different jackets that you can use while jet skiing. They will come in a variety of colors and styles to make sure you are comfortable with wearing them during your time on the water.
Another thing to keep in mind is finding an expert instructor who has experience riding while not being able to swim.
This person can help answer any questions or concerns you may have while getting a chance to enjoy the water.
In addition, you will want to take an education course if possible that covers riding jet skis and how they work before heading out alone on your own.
This is not required but it can help ensure that everyone has the latest information when learning to ride for the first time or enjoying another day of fun on the water.