What should the operator do if thrown from a Personal Watercraft (PWC)?

The best action for the operator of a Personal Watercraft (PWC) who has been thrown from the craft is to activate the engine cut-off switch. This switch is a crucial safety feature designed to prevent the PWC from continuing to operate while the operator is not in control.

When a rider is thrown off, the PWC may continue to move or circle, potentially causing harm to the rider or others nearby. Activating the engine cut-off switch ensures that the engine stops running, which minimizes the risk of accidents or injuries in the water.

While retrieving the PWC and continuing to ride might seem like a practical choice, doing so without first securing safety can lead to more danger, as the PWC could be unpredictable. Waiting for help might be the right choice if one is in distress, but it does not address the immediate risk posed by an unattended PWC. Swimming back to shore can be dangerous if one is disoriented or if there are currents, and it also does not mitigate the hazards presented by an operating PWC nearby. Thus, activating the engine cut-off switch is the most responsible and safer option to take swiftly after being thrown from the watercraft.