Sea-doo 230 Series, Operator'S Manual

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SPECIAL SAFETY MESSAGES
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, the loss of body heat
to the water, is a significant cause of
deaths in boating accidents.
After
an individual has been overcome by
hypothermia, he or she will lose con-
sciousness and then drown.
PFDs can increase survival time be-
cause of the insulation they provide.
Naturally, the warmer the water, the
less insulation one will require. When
operating in cold water (below 4.4°C
(40°F)) consideration should be given
to using a coat or jacket style PFD as
they cover more of the body than the
vest style PFDs.
Some points to remember about hy-
pothermia protection:
1. While afloat in the water, do not
attempt to swim unless it is to
reach a nearby boat, fellow sur-
vivor, or a floating object on which
you can lean or climb. Unneces-
sary swimming increases the rate
of body heat loss. In cold water,
drown-proof methods that require
putting your head in the water are
not recommended.
Keep your
head out of the water. This will
greatly lessen heat loss and in-
crease your survival time.
2. Keep a positive attitude about your
survival and rescue. This will im-
prove your chances of extending
your survival time until rescued.
Your will to live does make a differ-
ence!
3. If there is more than one person
in the water, huddling is recom-
mended while waiting to be res-
cued. This action tends to reduce
the rate of heat loss and thus in-
crease the survival time.
4. Always wear your PFD. It won't
help you fight off the effects of hy-
pothermia if you don't have it on
when you go into the water.
Voluntary Inspections
Boating officials in many countries or
their auxiliaries offer courtesy inspec-
tions to check out your boat. They will
check for compliance with safety stan-
dards and required safety equipment.
You may voluntarily consent to one of
these inspections, and you are allowed
time to make corrections without pros-
ecution. Check with the competent
authorities for details.
Safe Boating Courses
Many countries recommend or require
a boating safety course. Check with
your local competent authorities.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
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