5 common jet ski injuries

Jet skis are a fun way to get out on the water, just be sure you're aware of these five common jet ski injuries to keep yourself safe this summer.

One of the most common injuries resulting from the use of jet skis is a concussion.

• A concussion can occur any time there is a serious blow to the head.
• It's easy to think of water as a soft, safe place to land, but at high speeds it can deliver sudden blunt force to a person's head, which is all you need for a concussion to occur.

A broken wrist can occur on a jet ski in a number of ways:

• If the jet ski collides with another watercraft or a solid object, the impact can break a person's wrist because of how they're holding onto the handlebars.
• A person can also be thrown from the jet ski and may instinctively reach out to catch themselves, a posture that can also contribute to wrist injuries.

Depending on where and how the spinal cord is damaged, these injuries can range from serious to life threatening.

• Spinal cord injuries are generally caused by trauma to the back, which can be caused when a jet ski throws a rider due to choppy water or collisions.
• A person with a spinal cord injury may not even be able to signal if they're in trouble, so always have a spotter.

Much like a broken wrist, a fractured ankle can occur when the jet ski collides with a foreign object.

• Due to the position a rider takes, the ankles can be particularly vulnerable, since adding to a person's support and balance.
• Depending on a person's ability, a fractured ankle may also make it difficult for them to swim or keep their head above water.

Just like cars, jet skis run on fuel, and that fuel can ignite and cause serious injuries after an accident. Burns are a surprisingly common injury for people who ride jet skis, especially after particularly bad crashes.

It's so important that you always wear a life jacket while you jet ski so that even if you're unable to swim, you will remain safely above the water.

Jet skis can be a lot of fun, especially if used safely and properly, but the injuries listed above are very real, and a person injured in the water is at a much greater risk of drowning.

Be sure to take all the right precautions and enjoy hours of fun on the water this summer.