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10 Tips for Safe and Fun Water Tubing

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When you're looking for something fun to do with your family and friends on a summer day, it's hard to beat water tubing. Few things can match the excitement of skimming along an open stretch of water under a clear blue sky.

But, as with all boating activities, it's important to be safe. You don't want a perfect day to be ruined by an accident which could have been easily prevented.

Here are a few ways to keep your tubing as safe as it is enjoyable:

Always wear a PFD. While it's a good idea to have a personal flotation device (PFD) on any time you're on the water or in a boat, it's especially important that you wear a life jacket when water tubing. Since a rider can easily become separated from their water tube, it makes sense to have them be as safe and easy to find as possible.

Know your equipment. Sure, reading the manual isn't as much fun as pushing the throttle, but take a few minutes to get familiar with the manufacturer’s recommendations for water tubing capacity, size and weight restrictions, the maximum number of riders, age limits, and other details – this small bit of extra caution could end up saving someone's life.

Put your rider’s safety first. Exercise common sense. High speeds and sharp turns are thrilling, but use your best judgment and keep things safe, especially when towing children.

Use a spotter. One person on board the boat should be in charge of looking out for other watercraft and obstacles, as well as keeping an eye on the riders to make sure they haven't fallen off the tube. Don't leave this important job up to the boat operator – their attention should be focused solely on operating the vehicle.

Be familiar with rules and regulations. While some people disregard the regulations that govern the body of water they are enjoying, the fact of the matter is that those rules are there for your protection... and everyone else's. Pay attention to towing speeds and other limitations; it only takes one unsafe operator to put everyone at risk.

Drive responsibly. The person operating the boat should be alert, sober, and have a firm grip on boating rules and regulations. Make sure your driver keeps a respectful distance from other boats, as well as maintaining a good eye for other water hazards like rocks, docks, and buoys.

Use a secure tow line. A loose or unsecured tow line is an accident waiting to happen. Make sure the one you are using is well-fastened, and isn't showing any obvious signs of wear and tear like fraying. Also, only use ropes and lines designed for towing – never use materials not designed for the purpose.

Pause before you start. Don’t begin moving the boat forward until you have first checked that your rider has a firm grip on the line, is properly positioned on the tube, and is ready to start water tubing. If you have multiple passengers, be sure everyone is balanced and prepared before you hit the throttle.

Watch out for wakes. When crossing wakes, slow down – taking them at high speeds can lead to all sorts of injuries, especially to the back. Pay particular attention when you have riders who are water tubing stomach down, as they can be particularly vulnerable to bouncing off of wakes.

Be extra careful when polling more than one tube. Dual water sports are fun, but also inherently more risky. Travel at lower speeds, since having more than one person can mean the potential for more frequent and severe accidents if the tubes collide.

More Boating Safety Articles

• Surviving Cold Water Immersion
• Staying Safe With Water Skiing and Other Towed Water Sports
• 23 of the Worst Boating Accidents in the Past 20 Years
• About the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.