Tubing Safety Tips

Tubing is one of my kids' favorite activities. Each summer, we head up to Christie Lake and as soon as we put the boat in the water, the kids are clammoring to "go tubing." We have two flat tubes that are attached to the boat by a heavy-duty polypropelene line. Each tube can hold up to 300 pounds each. We often tow four kids at a time and seeing the smiles on their faces is worth the steep price of gas today.

Recently, there was a report in Michigan of an 8-year-old child, Tanner Gentry, who fell off a tube being towed and was hit by the propeller from another boat passing by. While tubing is a fun sport, it can easily turn into a deadly activity if some safety rules are not followed.

Rule: Only licensed, experienced drivers should tow a tube. Drivers who are not experienced should first practice towing an empty tube during a time when there are few other boats about.

Rule: Familiarize yourself with the tube and the capacity for towing. Some tubes can be towed with persons in a forward position; other tubes require a face-down and forward position. Too much weight or too many persons on a tube can cause the tube to burst and deflate. Towing more persons than the recommended number increases the danger of having a rider flung off.

Rule: Use a heavy-duty line designed for towing tubes. Some ski lines cannot handle the weight and may snap. Attach a snap-clamp to one end of the rope to make it easy to attach to the boat.

Rule: Always drive with a spotter who will signal when a person has fallen off. Drivers should immediately turn around and head back to the fallen person to ensure safety.

Rule: Teach the users to signal that they are ok once they fall off a tube. Keeping hands in the air will increase visability.

Rule: Drivers should use caution when making turns. Tube speed increases during a turn and riders are more prone to falling off.

Rule: Maintain a safe distance between the tube and other boats, piers and floating platforms.

Rule: Follow the recommended tube speeds for your tube. Speeds over 25 mph are not recommended.

Rule: Always wear a life-jacket made for ski and tube activities.

Keep these rules in mind during your next tube outing and have a safe, fun time!