Proper Way to Mount a Jet Ski

The power and speed behind a personal watercraft can bring a sense of excitement, but there's plenty of responsibility and precautions you must undertake. Don't overlook areas of safety, including proper mounting of your Jet Ski, or any other brand of watercraft. This is not just about getting on your Jet Ski. Safety involves a series of steps that include preparation and the actual mounting technique.

  1. Personal Equipment

    • When mounting your Jet Ski, make sure you have the correct personal equipment. The most important is your personal floatation device, more commonly known as a life vest. Most states require personal watercraft operators to wear a personal floatation device under law, so make sure to wear one. Other equipment you can wear include waterproof shoes, waterproof gloves, sunglasses and a wet suit.

    Positioning the Watercraft

    • Take your watercraft to a dock or other loading area where you can easily step onto your Jet Ski. These areas ensure you have the proper leverage. The loading area also provides a structure to stabilize yourself in case you begin to fall over when mounting. Make sure there are no other objects in close proximity with which you can collide when starting or mounting your watercraft.

    Stepping Onto the Jet Ski

    • From the dock or loading area, step over the seat and firmly plant your foot on the foot rest. Grab one of the handles to stabilize yourself on the Jet Ski and then step on the opposite foot rest with your other foot. Adjust yourself on the seat for the most comfortable position. Adjust your feet for the most comfortable position. Lifting your feet for a better position during operation can cause you to lose your balance.

    Passenger Mounting

    • When you have your hands firmly on the handles and feet squarely planted on the foot rests, have your passenger mount the Jet Ski. Your passenger mounts the Jet Ski in a similar fashion, using the passenger handles located in the rear as a support. If your watercraft does not have passenger handles, then the passenger can grab onto the driver's life vest. Never let the passenger load onto the Jet Ski first, and never let a passenger mount in front of the driver. Passengers can only sit in designated seats.