WATER SKIING CAN BE DANGEROUS. It exposes you to risk of death or serious injury from impact with the water or from impact with the ski during a fall.

THE POWERSHELL BINDINGS ARE DESIGNED FOR EXPERT SKIERS ONLY. It should be custom fit to the user and should not be used by others for whom it was not fitted. Because it is designed for advanced maneuvers which require increased support and control, even if properly fitted, IT MAY NOT RELEASE OR MAY PRERELEASE IN SOME FALLS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE LEG, ANKLE, BACK, NECK, HEAD,  CHEST OR KNEES OR EVEN DEATH. 

                    HIGH PERFORMANCE RUBBER SKI BINDINGS

                 PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS

Watersports can be safe and fun for all levels of enthusiasts.  The Operator’s Manual is presented to enhance your enjoyment of the sport.  It is intended to alert you to some of the potential dangerous conditions that can arise in all watersports.

 The binding, even if properly adjusted, may or may not release in a fall which could result in injury to the ankle, knee, leg or other parts of the body. 

To reduce your risk of injury or death, follow these guidelines: 

·    Use correct size ski and binding.  Binding should be adjusted for a snug, not tight, fit.

·    Wet binding and feet with water before use.

·    Inspect skis, fins and bindings for loose screws, wear, cracks, delamination or tearing.

·    Check foot straps (bindings) and fins prior to each use to insure they are fastened securely to the ski.

·    The faster you ski, the greater your risk of injury.  Exercise additional caution when skiing at competitive speeds.  Beginners should be towed at slower speeds that allow for reasonable control and stability.

·    Water skiing instruction is recommended before use.  Instruction will teach general safety guidelines and proper skiing techniques, which may reduce your risk of injury.

 WATERSPORTS SAFETY CODE:

 Watersports are fun and challenging but involve inherent risks of injury or death.  To increase your enjoyment of the sport and to reduce your risks, use common sense and follow these rules:

 Before you start:

·      Familiarize yourself with all applicable federal, state and local laws, the risks inherent in the sport and the proper use of the equipment.

·      Know the waterways.

·      Always have a person other than the driver as an observer.

·      Skier/rider, observer and driver must agree on hand signals.  

·      Never start out until skier/rider signals he/she is ready. 

·      Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning from engine exhaust may cause injury or death.  Do not sit on the boat transom or swim platform while the engine is running.  These activities may lead to excessive CO exposure which may cause injury or death.  If you can smell engine exhaust while in the boat, do not stay seated in that position for prolonged periods.  Never “Platform Drag” by holding onto the swim platform or be dragged directly behind the boat. An improperly tuned engine will produce excessive exhaust. Have your engine checked and corrected by a mechanic.  Changing boat speed or direction relative to the wind can reduce or increase boat exhaust from accumulating near the boat and rider. Consult your boat Owners Manual, or the United States Coast Guard’s website: www.uscgboating.org for more information on how to help protect others and yourself from the dangers of CO poisoning

·      Use caution and common sense.

·      Do not exceed the weight guidelines of your boat.  Only use water ballast and people for additional weight. Do not allow passengers to hang outside the boat or sit on the gunwales outside the normal seating area of the boat. Uneven weight distribution or additional weight may affect the handling of the boat.  Never allow water to overflow the gunwales of your boat.

 Your equipment and your tow rope:

·      Inspect all equipment prior to use.  Check bindings, fins, tube and attachment point, and flotation device prior to each use.  Do not use if damaged.

·      Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard Type III (PFD) vest.

·      Rope should be attached to the watercraft in an approved fashion with hardware designed for towing.  Refer to your watercraft manual for instructions on proper tow rope attachment.

·      Tow ropes stretch during use.  If a rope breaks or is suddenly released, it can snap back into the watercraft.  Warn all riders, skiers and occupants of the danger of rope recoil.

·      When in the boat, keep away from the tow rope to avoid injury. Passengers can be hit, or become entangled in the rope.

·         Inspect tow rope and its attachments before using.  Do not use tow rope if frayed, knotted or damaged.  Replace when signs of excessive deterioration are indicated by discoloration, broken filaments, unraveling or other obvious signs of wear on the rope or hardware.

·      Use proper tow rope for the activity. 

·      Ensure tow rope is clear of all body parts prior to starting out or during use.

·      Keep persons and ropes away from propeller when engine is running, even in neutral.  Should rope become entangled in propeller, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND REMOVE IGNITION KEY BEFORE RETRIEVING ROPE.

 When you ski or ride:

·      Attempting land or dock starts can increase the risk of injury or death.  USE THIS PRODUCT ONLY ON WATER.

·      Always remove any slack in the rope between watercraft and skier/ rider before starting.  Sudden shock loads may cause injury to skier/rider or failure of rope, resulting in snap-back or breakage.

·      Do not ski or ride in shallow water, near shore, pilings, docks, rafts, swimmers, other boats or other obstacles.  Such obstacles are examples of risks that are inherent in the sport.

·      The driver and skier/rider must watch for and be able to stop or turn to avoid obstacles.

·      Always ski or ride in control and at speeds appropriate for your ability.  limits. Do not ski or ride over ramps or jumps without prior instruction.

·      Falling and the injuries that may result are inherent risks in the sport.

·      Use a flag to signal to others that a skier or rider is in the water.

·      Driver must use extra caution approaching a fallen skier/rider and keep eye contact on fallen skier/rider at all times.

·      Put the boat in neutral when near a fallen skier/rider.  Turn the engine off when people are getting into or out of the boat, or in the water near the boat.

·      Do not operate watercraft, ski or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 THE WARNINGS AND PRACTICES SET FORTH ABOVE IN THE WATERSPORTS SAFETY CODE REPRESENT SOME COMMON RISKS ENCOUNTERED BY USERS.  THE CODE DOES NOT PURPORT TO COVER ALL INSTANCES OF RISK OR DANGER. PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGMENT.