Per city ordinance, all operators of rented personal watercraft, PWCs, are required to wear wristbands, signifying they have watched and understand this safety video in its entirety, and they have signed the consumer protection form, attesting to that fact.

Failure to wear the wristband, watch this video, or sign the consumer protection form prior to operating a rented PWC may result in fines or other penalties.

Hello, I'm Chief Robert Treeves of the Bullhead City Police Department.

Each summer, thousands of people come to our area to enjoy the Colorado River, and many, like you take to our waters on a rental watercraft.

Unfortunately for some, the day is ruined when they are involved in a watercraft accident.

Many of these accidents can be avoided by learning and practicing simple boating safety rules.

We produce the following video to teach you these rules and help you have a safe, enjoyable experience on the Colorado River.

Personal watercraft or PWCs are performance watercraft capable of thrilling speeds and maneuvers.

They are not toys and they can be highly dangerous if used improperly.

All riders are legally required to operate their PWC in a responsible manner.

When traveling above a wakeless speed, riders must maintain at least 60 feet between themselves and other watercraft.

Turning sharply to spray another PWC, boat, or someone on the beach is dangerous and illegal.

Be aware of other boats around you.

Avoid crisscrossing in front of other boaters and blocking their view.

Remember your PWC is capable of making very fast turns.

Look around you before you turn.

Don't surprise other boaters with sudden or unpredictable maneuvers.

Jumping wakes or other boats is also very dangerous and against the law.

Just like on the road, there's a pattern to the traffic on the river.

It's counterclockwise.

An easy way to remember this is to always keep the shore to your right.

When approaching another watercraft head on, both watercraft should turn to their right.

This will allow both boats to pass safely.

When approaching another boat to the side, the boat on the right has the right of way.

But remember when leaving the shore, let the boats in the traffic pattern go by first.

They have the right of way in this circumstance.

Sometimes you may want to pass a slower moving watercraft.

Passing on the left or right side is legal as long as you leave enough room between watercraft to pass safely.

Most people are used to being passed on the left in a car, so that may be the safer option.

Pass far enough away so that your wake doesn't create a hazard for the other boat.

If you're being passed, make sure that you don't turn into the path of the passing boat.

While being passed, always maintain your direction and speed.

During the summer months, ocean certified lifeguards patrol the river on PWCs and walk the beach of community park.

You can identify them by their bright neon yellow uniforms.

Lifeguards on the river have the authority to issue commands and warnings to members of the public to keep everyone safe.

The lifeguards are there for your safety and will respond to your aid in case of an emergency.

Personal watercraft or PWCs are performance watercraft and should be handled with respect.

Here are some PWC specific safety considerations.

PWCs are fast-moving, agile watercraft.

Protect yourself by wearing goggles, gloves, and footwear.

Stay away from the intake grate at the bottom of the PWC.

Loose life jacket straps, bathing suits, or long hair can be sucked into the jet.

Avoid being behind the water jet nozzle, especially when the throttle is applied.

The water jet can throw rocks or debris and injure you.

Do not apply the throttle when someone is in the water behind you.

Before operating a personal watercraft, make sure your PWC lanyard is attached to either your wrist or your life jacket.

This will kill the engine and prevent your PWC from taking off without you if you fall.

Everyone on a PWC must wear properly fitted life jacket.

A life jacket that's too big or too small will not keep you safe in the water.

Your rental company will help you select the proper size jacket.

Taking a passenger with you to enjoy the experience is a great way to spend the day.

All passengers should be seated behind the operator.

Make sure that all passengers' feet can reach the bottom of the foot trough.

All passengers should be strong enough to hold on to the operator or the seat strap.

Don't place small children in front of the operator.

Learn how to properly write a turnedover PWC.

If not done properly, it can severely damage the PWC.

Make sure you are physically up to riding your PWC.

Although you don't plan on overturning your craft, you may end up in the water.

Writing an overturned PWC in river currents can be strenuous.