Boat props and saftey

I heard two stories this weekend, one of a death and another of a serious injury from boat motor props hitting a fallen passenger while the boat was moving. I know many guys will scream about this one saying you cant put this on every boat and I am usually not one to say something about things like this but I feel we can do something to save lives. I know with the nature of the mechanics it is dificult but to me it would seem we can do something that may prevent some accidents. Maybe a mess cover in the front near the skag to at least push a fallen passenger away enough to maybe save a fatal blow.

Yeah... You bring up a GOOD POINT.. If people would use their kill switches religiously, that would eliminate serious injuries also.. That is what they are designed to do. It is normal for a boat to start turning in circles if the driver fall out of the boat and when the boat circles is when the person sustains the injuries.

IF the kill switches were being used the boat would automatically shut off when the person falls out. The kill-switch would disconnect shutting the motor off...

Kill switches are alot like seat belts and harnesses in cars... they DON'T WORK IF YOU DON'T USE THEM...

Bud Fields

Perhaps it's time for seatbelts so you can't be thrown out. Sounds scary being trapped in a boat upside down but when was the last time you even heard of a boat upside down ? Hear a lot more of thrown out hitting a roller and such. I absolutely hated being strapped into a race boat for the first few times until I got used to not being jostled around. As much as some will protest, keeping your butt in the seat is the best place you can be.

so flame on.

My father was an IN CO years ago and the one violation that he would not cut any slack on was riding on the bow or the gunnels. He said that if people ever saw someone that had been chopped up by a prop they'd understand. It was just too dangerous to look the other way. He taught me to keep the kill switch teatherd and your butt in the seat when the motor is running.
Another problem is when people pull up to a dropped skier and then put it in neutral for the skier to board. Then someone bumps the throttle and then their it trouble. You need to shut the motor OFF when someone is boarding.

Had a buddy in high school who lost both legs after being thrown out on the Ohio river one night. No one ever plans for things like this to happen, but when they do, its in the blink of an eye, and then its too late. Always wear a pfd and use your kill switch, its not that big of a deal, and it could save lives. Just wish everybody out on the water understood the dangers.