Cruising across the glassy top of a serene blue lake in Rhode Island can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Driver errors, other boaters and floating debris can lead to accidents that cause serious or even fatal injuries. There are ways to increase your safety while waterskiing and reduce the chances that you will end up in an accident.

SACDelta.com reports that an observer should be on board any time a skier is in the water to communicate the boat's movements through hand signs. The operator can also determine if the boat is going too fast or slow for the skier's ability and indicate needed changes to the driver. An observer also needs to have a flag to alert other drivers when the skier is in the water.

Much of the responsibility falls to the boat driver. If you are the operator, you need to be aware of any possible danger to you or the skier. Wait for the “hit it” signal before accelerating and keep an eye on the skier and observer for any additional signals. Making sure the skier is far away from the propeller is another important key to safe driving. Even if you have turned off your engine, your propeller may still be spinning.

Some more safety tips to remember are to always wear a lifejacket and check the towline before each skier skis. You also need to stay clear of rocks, docks and other boats and maintain a safe speed. This article is not intended as legal advice and meant as educational information only.