Editing Water skiing (section)

==Safety measures==
As water skiing is a potentially dangerous sport, safety is important.

There should be a {{convert|200|ft|m|0}} wide skiing space and the water should be at least {{convert|5|to|6|ft|m|1}} deep. The towboat should stay at least {{convert|100|ft|m|0}} from docks, swim areas, and the shore, and other boats should steer clear of skiers by at least 100 feet.<ref name=boatus>{{cite web | url = http://www.boatus.com/foundation/guide/activities_6.html | title = Water Skiing and Diving | work = Boating Activities | publisher = Boat US (Boat Owners Association of the United States) | year = 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130915233552/http://www.boatus.com/foundation/guide/activities_6.html | archive-date = 15 September 2013 | df = dmy-all | access-date = 29 October 2013 }}</ref> Without proper space and visibility skiing can be extremely dangerous. Skiers should wear a [[life jacket]] regardless of swimming ability,<ref name=basics/> although the expectation that all skiers are also competent swimmers is advisable as well. Specially-designed life jackets or ski vests allow movement needed for the sport while still providing floatation for a downed or injured skier.<ref>{{cite web |title=US Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets |url=https://waterdudes.org/us-coast-guard-approved-life-jackets/ |website=WaterDudes.org |date=20 November 2017 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> The most common water ski injuries involve the lower legs, such as the knee, because a fall at high speed can create irregular angles of collision between the skier's body and the water surface. Another common cause of injury is colliding with objects on or near the water, like docks.<ref name=basics/>

The tow boat must contain at least two people: a driver and an observer.<ref name=basics/> In most locales, the observer will need to be at least 12 years of age. The driver maintains a steady course, free of obstacles to the skier. The observer continually observes the skier, relays the condition of the skier to the boat driver, and if necessary, raises the "skier down" warning flag, as required, when a skier is in the water, returning to the boat, or in some localities, the entire time the skier is out of the boat.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Act 098-0697|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=098-0697|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|access-date=2 November 2015|date=1 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112633/http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=098-0697|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=wisconsin>{{cite web| title = WAC 352-60-120: Water ski observer| url = http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=352-60-120| author = Washington State Legislature| date = 25 July 1994| publisher = Access Washington| url-status = live| archive-url = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20111018005125/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=352-60-120| archive-date = 18 October 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The skier and observer should agree on a set of standard hand-signals for easy communication: stop, speed up, turn, I'm OK, skier in the water, etc.<ref name=basics>{{citation | url = http://www.usawaterski.org/BasicSkills/LearnToSkiBasics.pdf | title = Learn to Ski Basics | work = Basic Skills Challenge Series | publisher = USA Water Ski | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140124062910/http://www.usawaterski.org/BasicSkills/LearnToSkiBasics.pdf | archive-date = 24 January 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Ski hand Signals">{{citation |title=Water-Skiing Hand Signals|url=http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=skier+hand+signals&id=1BCE3297991A3468A727E480DF18415095C144D2&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=1BCE3297991A3468A727E480DF18415095C144D2&selectedIndex=0| work = Pennsylvania Boating Handbook | publisher = Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission | access-date=23 October 2013}}</ref>