Preventing Boat Propeller Injuries
By Valerie Giles, Fri Dec 9th

Each year hundreds of propeller accidents leave tragedy in theirwake. The Office of Safety reported that in 2002 therewere 239 accidents involving motor or propeller strikes amongrecreational boaters. 47 of those accidents resulted in death.Plan for a safe time on the water and minimize accidents.

The Office of Safety recommends a combined approach ofincreased awareness and improved technologies to reduce thenumber of injuries and death resulting from this type ofincident.

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Healthand Safety has also taken notice of the increase in propellerrelated injuries and note that the increase in injuries isprobably related to a direct increase in the number of boatowners in America. “Since 1990, personal watercraft (PWC) use inthe United States has increased by an estimated 400%. In 1996,there were approximately 900,000 PWCs in use,” reads the website.

The web site defines PWCs as being approximately eight feetlong, powered by self-contained engines with an enclosedpropeller that uses pressured water for thurst. Most models aredesigned to accommodate two to three passengers. A PWC cannot besteered when the engine is off, even though momentum may stillcarry the PWC forward.

As the number of PWC’s on our waterways increases, along withthe number of other watercraft, it’s not surprising that therehas been a four-fold increased in injuries associated with thewatercraft since 1990.

Although each state has established regulations through a StateBoating Law Administration, the number of propeller injuries hasyet to be curbed or stopped. The threat of propeller relatedinjuries and death doesn’t just effect adults. In 1997, 22% ofrelated injuries in the U.S.A. occurred to youth under the ageof 18. Of those injured youth, 46% were PWC operators and 27%were passengers. Because PWC-related propeller injuries don’tdiscriminate based on age, it’s important for people of all agesto realize how important safety is while on the water. Of thenonfatal injuries, the most frequent injuries occur to the leg,head and lower trunk. Blunt trauma is the leading cause offatalities.

According to the National Children’s Center for Rural andAgricultural Health and Safety, inexperience, excessive speedand careless manoeuvres by the operators are the predominantcauses of injuries. This is especially true of those using arented watercraft.

The Office of Safety says that enhanced user awarenessand training is just one step towards propeller injuryavoidance. They maintain that technologies, such as guards,propulsion, interlocks and sensors, will make all the differencein

the world when it comes to preventing injury and death.

Although improving technology is a step towards making asafer past time, the National Children’s Center for Rural andAgricultural Safety first recommend using education and a littlecaution. They believe it’s important to work with the media topromote safety and to encourage age-appropriate PWC activities.In fact, they agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics thatoperating personal watercraft is inappropriate for childrenunder 16 years old.

Education is still a key step towards greater safety for allages. Not only is it important to learn safe PWC operation, butalso it is imperative for all passengers to wear personalflotation devices and protective wetsuits.

The risk of injuries can also be reduced by traveling at safespeeds appropriate for conditions and during daylight hours.Additional educational issues include avoiding designatedswimming areas and refraining from jumping the wakes generatedby other vessels.

In addition to promoting safety education through articles, websites and the media, PWC manufacturers should encourage designsfor PWCs that promote safety. The advance of technology thatwill increase the safety of boaters is in their hands. PWCmanufacturers can also contribute to safety education bypromoting PWC operation by persons 16 years of age or older andby depicting safe and age-appropriate advertising. To go onestep further, they can also offer training for operators on safeoperation with the sale of every PWC. As members of the public,we can encourage the manufacturers to take the above-mentionedsteps. We can also stress the important role they can play instrengthening PWC regulations to protect youth from injury.

In the end, PWC operators are not only responsible for their ownsafety, but the safety of others in and around their watercraft.If you own a PWC, make the safety of everyone with you a toppriority. Make passengers know that they must wear personalflotation devices at all times and that horseplay is notacceptable. Remind them that although playing on the water isfun, it is also a big responsibility. Their safety and possiblytheir life may depend on how well they follow your safety rules.

Although accidents do happen, plan for a safe time on the waterand take the steps to minimize the risk of an accident. You’llbe glad that you did!

About the author:Valerie Giles owns and operates Boats, Anchors and Morehttp://www.boats-anchors-and-more.com a resourcesite featuring boat accessories, fishing lure manufacturers andinflatable boats. Everything you need for the season.The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproducedonly if the hyperlinks here are left intact.