Water Sports Injuries
Each year, Ontarians head for the water. In the summer heat, by the lake is the best place to be! While some are content to sit in the shade and listen to the waves, others like to swim, boat, or play in the cool H2O. Water sports such as water-skiing, tubing, sea-dooing, and wake-boarding have gained in popularity in recent years, and can provide happy campers with a great deal of fun. If you like these types of activities, or if you’re eager to try them out, make sure that you take the necessary safety precautions. The risk of injury is relatively small, but if one occurs, it can be devastating.
Water-skiing, Wakeboarding, and Tubing
These activities are similar in that they involve towing passengers behind a boat. Water-skiing carries a higher risk, but tubing injuries are on the rise. The risks can be divided into several categories:
- Collision. The skier or tuber collides with a fixed structure (such as a dock), a boat, or the shoreline.
- Propeller Injuries. People are injured when struck by the boat propeller.
- Skis. In the case of water-skiing, about 19% of incidents are caused by skiers being injured by their own skis.
- Rope Injuries. Many injuries happen when a skier or gets a digit or limb tangled in the tow rope, or dislocate a joint due to force.
- Fall Injuries. If a skier falls hard, he/she can damage delicate tissue or eardrums, etc.
- Spotter Injuries. Occasionally, even a spotter is injured when a tow line or handle snaps back and strikes him/her.
Wakeboarding is a relatively new sport not yet tracked by the Public Health Agency of Canada, but carries many of the same risks plus some additional ones, such as knee ligament damage. How can you help to reduce the possibility of injuries? It’s important to lay down some ground rules before anyone actually goes out on the water.
First, anyone who goes out in the boat or on the water must have a well-fitting life jacket. Lightweight and effective life jackets (PFDs) are widely available. Learn more about life jackets here.
Second, anyone piloting the boat should be trained in boat safety through BOATSmart, and possess a Pleasure Craft Operator card. You must follow Canadian rules regarding boating, available to view here. Remember that when towing a person or persons, there must be at least two persons present in the boat – one to operate the craft, and the other to act as an observer or spotter. It’s also recommended that there be a second observer on shore or on a dock. You are required to save one empty seat in your boat for each person being towed.
All of the participants must learn the standard hand signals. There are signals for going slower, going faster, stopping, and more, and all must be familiar with these. If you’re unsure about whether or not your skier or tubers are safe, err on the side of caution and ask the driver to stop or slow down.
One important rule that must be strictly enforced is that no one should drive the boat or go into the water after they’ve been drinking alcohol. Time at the cottage is often accompanied by recreational drinking, but even one drink can seriously impair judgement and physical reaction time.
Having the right equipment is also crucial. Check all skis and bindings and make sure they’re the right fit for your skier; check ropes and handles, and check the boat, too. Make sure the boat has enough gas to get back to the dock, and always carry emergency equipment such as paddles, whistles and flares. Wear good sunglasses, dress in appropriate clothing, and use sunscreen.
Keep in mind that rules state that a person may not be towed between one hour after sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility. Use good sense about weather, and don’t go out during storms or when it’s foggy.
Someone in your group should be trained in CPR, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and basic first aid.
Sea-Doos and Jet Skis
Many of the rules above also apply to persons operating Sea-Doos or Jetskis. Remember that legally, the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft is 16 years of age, and it’s highly recommended that operators possess a Pleasure Craft Operator’s license. Any passengers should also be 16+ years of age. All watercraft riders must wear a properly fitted PFD.
Operators of these crafts must adhere to some additional safety rules. The engine cut-off lanyard must be attached to the operator’s life jacket (PFD) or wrist at all times. As well, all riders must wear protective clothing, including:
- A wet suit bottom or thick, tightly woven, snug-fitting clothing that provides equivalent protection. Sea-Doo notes that severe internal injuries can occur if water is forced into body cavities as a result of falling into water or being near jet thrust nozzle.
- Footwear, gloves and goggles/glasses are also recommended.
Have fun in the sun, playing on the lake! But make sure that you follow water safety rules to ensure that all your summer memories will be good ones.