Recently, an Indiana man was injured in a tubing accident after he collided with a dock. As such, he was airlifted to the hospital from the accident scene and underwent emergency surgery to amputate his lower leg.
Tubing can be a lot of fun, and it is an activity that the whole family can enjoy if you do it safely. Keep yourself, your friends, and your family as safe as possible during your tubing outings by following these safety tips:
- Everyone must wear a life jacket while they are tubing. Children should wear them at all times both on the tube and on the boat, and while it is ideal that adults wear them all of the time, wearing the life jacket on the tube and keeping the life jacket within easy reach while on the boat is safer than not having or wearing one at all.
- Know how to use your tubing equipment before you take it out. Explain safe tubing to all users, and follow all of the manufacturer’s specifications for height, weight, age limits, speed, and the number of riders that can use each tube. Inspect your equipment regularly for signs of wear and replace as needed.
- Know the capabilities of your riders and tow them in a manner consistent with their abilities. Use spotters for everyone’s safety. Someone besides the driver should always be watching the tube, leaving the driver free to concentrate on watching where they are going.
- Know the rules for the body of water that you are using, especially towing speeds. Never mix alcohol with tubing, and respect all applicable regulations. A citation for violating the rules can ruin even the most fun tubing excursion.
- Check your tow line before you take off to ensure that it is securely fastened. Use a rope designed for towing tubes, and check it regularly to ensure that it is in proper working condition and that it is not damaged.
- Wait for your rider to be ready before you start the boat. Check to see that they are properly positioned on the tube and that they have a firm grip on the line.
- Use caution and go slow when you cross a wake.
- Use extreme care when towing multiple tubes or, even better, avoid towing more than one tube at once. Many boaters are not aware that a lot of tubing accidents occur when multiple tubes are being towed.
Barrett Law PLLC: Help for Mississippi Boating Accident Victims
A personal injury attorney can help boating accident victims and their families pursue claims for damages or losses in connection with a boating accident. You might be able to file a claim based on property damage, medical bills and lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have represented many plaintiffs and their families. To learn more, please call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.