Safety Equipment and Pre-Ride Checks
Equipment you must carry
Every PWC rider and passenger must wear a suitable personal flotation device (PFD) whenever the craft is underway. For a PWC, a level 50 or level 50S PFD is generally the appropriate type because it is designed for high-impact, high-speed use; a level 100 or greater is not a substitute for a PWC-specific requirement in exam questions. Carry a functioning kill switch lanyard attached to the rider, and know that the lanyard stops the engine if you fall off. A fire extinguisher, torch, bucket or bailer, and an anchor and line may be required depending on the craft and the water; check the current equipment schedule rather than assuming.
Pre-ride checks
Before launching, check fuel and oil levels, battery charge, steering operation, the jet intake for debris, the kill switch, and that the drain plugs are secure. Check the weather and local notices. Tell someone your plans and expected return.
Traps
Questions often imply a PFD is optional in calm water or for strong swimmers. It is not. Another trap is the idea that the kill switch is only for learners. It is for every rider. Do not confuse the PFD level numbers; the higher the number, the greater the buoyancy, but PWC use calls for a PFD suited to the activity.
Worked example
A rider plans a short trip in flat water on a hot day. The correct answer to "what must be worn?" is a suitable PFD for all persons on board, regardless of distance or swimming ability.