News reports concerning the 11-year stepson of Usher serves as a tragic reminder concerning the dangers of boating and water sports. According to the San Francisco examiner – Usher’s stepson – Kyle Glover – was hit in the head by a jet ski while he was floating in an inner tube. A 15-year-old girl who was also on the inner tube suffered serious personal injuries. The accident is still under investigation, but sources indicate that alcohol was not a factor.

Glover has been declared brain dead and remains on life support.

Unfortunately, boating accidents and other accidents involving personal watercraft and water sports occur more frequently than people think. California residents may be out to enjoy a day on the water and concerns about boating risks and water safety may be the furthest thing from their mind. Most often boating accidents occurs because people underestimate the dangers of boating versus driving. If you have questions about boating safety, or you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, it’s important to seek the advice of a top California boat accident lawyerright away.

As this incident shows, serious life-threatening accidents can and do occur. It’s important to be prepared in the event you are involved in any type of boating accident.

The California Department of Boating and Waterways provides a few boat safety tips to help protect you and keep your family safe.

First, know the laws concerning life jackets. Of the boating fatalities that occurred in 2009, 67 percent of the victims drowned. Of that group, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. California law provides:

For a boat less than 16 feet long, including all canoes and kayaks, jet skis and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

A Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be carried for each person on board. If stored, these life jackets must be readily available (easy to get to), and you must show passengers the location of life jackets and other safety equipment.

Anyone using an underwater maneuvering device is exempt from wearing a life jacket. An underwater maneuvering device is any towed or self-powered device designed for underwater use that a person can pilot through diving, turning and surfacing moves.

For a boat 16 feet or longer, you must carry a life jacket for each passenger.

Other tips include:

• Avoid drinking and boating. Accidents occur not only when a boat driver is drunk but also from drunk passengers leaning over the side or causing the boat to capsize.
• Take a boating safety course. The vast majority of all boating accidents occur due to boater inexperience.
• Avoid swimming directly behind a boat – the water may contain deadly levels of carbon monoxide.