Is Jet Skiing Safe For Non-Swimmers? [Answered]

Many newbie jet skiers ask Is Jet Skiing Safe For Non-Swimmers? Jet skis and deep water can be risky, and you run a higher chance of mishaps if you must learn how to ride a jet ski or swim. It would help if you exercised extreme caution since risky scenarios can result in mishaps on the sea, resulting in harm or even death.

Be at ease, though! You can lower your risk by considering the most crucial laws and norms. We’ve included a guide regarding relevant laws and the most crucial safety advice on this page for your convenience. Without further ado, let’s test your ability to ride a jet ski without any swimming experience!

Is Jet Skiing Safe For Non-Swimmers?

It’s not advised to ride jet skis, even while it’s feasible for people who can’t swim. You’ll need to be able to swim to get back on the Jet Ski or to safety if you fall off, even while wearing a life jacket.

Can You Ride A Jet Ski If You Can’t Swim?

It might surprise you to learn that riding a jet ski without any swimming experience is entirely legal. Many Jet Ski rental shops frequently sell jet skis to clients who are completely incapable of swimming. Customers are typically taught the fundamentals of safe Jet Ski usage by their employees.

Renting a jet ski could be a terrific place to start if you’re completely new to the sport. In many rental facilities, there is a designated area (referred to as a “riding zone”) where you can operate your jet ski under the guidance of qualified professionals.

For your protection, they are on call! Taking part in a guided Jet Ski trip is another option for safer riding. An expert tour guide will take you during the entire trip on these excursions, and they can also assist you if you fall into the water.  Tour options include sightseeing excursions and even Jet Ski dolphin-watching excursions.

These guided jet ski rides might be the greatest option if you’ve never used one!

Swimming While Wearing A Life Jacket

However, remember that you risk falling out of your seat because jet skis are so flexible. You never know when you’ll get hit by a bigger wave if you’re out on the open sea. You risk falling into the water if you lose your equilibrium.

Be ready since the ocean is not a swimming pool! It would help if you learned the regulations for riding a jet ski without swimming ability. Keeping your life jacket on is the first and most crucial rule.

In addition to being needed by law, this is crucial for your protection. This tool will keep you afloat if you fall into the water. Previously going on your first Jet Ski ride, it is advised that you try on a life jacket if you have never done so previously.

Ensure your life jacket is the proper size before putting it on. Get some practice with it if it’s okay! Ensure your head is still above the water, and only dip your chest into the water. Lift your legs slowly and attempt to float to understand how it feels.

Fear not—swimming while wearing a life jacket is simple! You can move around in the water using your legs, arms, or both. Continue to kick your legs up and down while maintaining a steady tempo.

You’ll be startled to learn that your only means of propulsion in the water are your legs. But remember to also use your arms if you need a little help! Don’t worry if you feel fatigued; float in the water.

How To Ride A Jet Ski Without Swimming Skills?

Do not forget to follow these safety precautions if you are unable to swim but yet wish to ride a jet ski:

• As we’ve already indicated, it’s not just necessary to wear a life jacket that the U.S. Coast Guard has approved for safety reasons. The life jacket is crucial for you if you can’t swim. Additionally, you may want some clothing that better protects you.
• A sound-producing device is also legally needed, much like life jackets. The ideal scenario is if a whistle is kept on your life jacket.
• Make sure the safety lanyard is fastened to the jacket as well. If you go into the water, it will shut off the engine. Check the entire list of safety accessories in addition to this, and maintain all required and necessary equipment on board.
• It is strongly advised that you become familiar with how a jet ski operates and how to ride properly and safely before taking your first trip.
• On the sea, riding alongside others is always safer. The best thing you can do if you can’t swim is never ride a jet ski alone. Swimming companions are a good idea because they can aid you in an emergency!
• It is strongly advised that you only ride in calm conditions if you cannot swim. Choppy water and wind increase the likelihood of capsizing your jet ski or sliding off the seat.
• You run a larger risk of accidents and injury if you lack experience. Always operate the ski cautiously while keeping safety in mind, and refrain from performing tricks and going fast.
• It’s a good idea to obtain a Jet Ski license prior to your first ride, even if your state does not require it.

The easiest way to learn to ride a jet ski is to take a guided tour or use a rental jet ski in a designated “riding zone” if you are a beginner.

What To Do If You Fall Off The Jet Ski?

Always try to go in the direction you are facing if you fall off the Jet Ski. If your jet ski is still running, it will move away from you quickly enough for you to easily catch up with it if you so choose.

To acquire the most leverage to pull yourself back up properly, you should strive to grab the back of the Jet Ski after finding the reboarding handle and grabbing it with one hand. Push yourself with both feet while kicking water once you grip the handle firmly. This causes you to rise upward and backwards onto the Jet Ski.

Your feet should be placed such that you can regain your equilibrium once you’re back in place. After that, carefully restart it while regaining control of the handles and your safety lanyard.

Use The Right Safety Equipment

Regardless of how well you can swim, you should have a few essential safety-related items because they are crucial to Jet Ski safety. The life jacket and then the lanyard will be the two essential pieces of equipment.

Life Vest Or Life Jacket

This is your key to overall safety; regardless of your swimming abilities, it will allow you to float and maintain your head above water. To know it works and has the necessary level of safety for using a jet ski, you should be sure the US Coast Guard has approved the life jacket. Almost any rental place should need such a personal flotation device.

Safety Layers

If you fall off, there is little danger that you will get too far away from the jet ski and lose contact with it in a large body of water because this is utilized to keep you attached to the jet ski at all times when riding it. It should be fastened to your body so you can feel any tugs on it.

Conclusion

To conclude, Is Jet Skiing Safe For Non-Swimmers? It’s always a good idea to be able to swim properly, even if you can ride a jet ski without them. Spending the entire day on the water is the whole point of jet skiing.

If you have stronger swimming abilities, you won’t need to be constantly terrified of falling off the Jet Ski (or at least not as much!). It is strongly advised that you acquire at least the fundamentals of swimming because safety is always the most crucial rule on the water, aside from the fact that it will improve your riding experience.

You won’t need swimming abilities if you plan to rent a jet ski once or twice a year. However, learning to swim sooner or later is worthwhile if you want to own your jet ski and ride it more frequently!

Frequently Asked Questions