Do you wave when you fall?

[behindpropellers]

I was putting together some stuff for a beginner ski clinic and noticed everywhere they want you to put your arms over your head holding your hands together.....

 

Every tournament I have been to they want you to wave that you are ok....

[Kelvin]

The information in the brochures on putting your arms over your head holding your hands together is a safer signal to interpret. A skier has to conciously make the maneuver. If a skier is hurt, the waving could be misunderstood. "Hey, come help me" could be misread as "I'm Ok".

 

Having said that, most skiers in the SCR just wave if they are OK.

[Wish]

I just had (Sunday) the worst crash in 20+ yrs of course skiing. Off the second wake I was slammed into the water. Won't go into detail. Came up unable to breath, saw the boat in the distance ( driver unaware of impact) and did not know what to do as we usually raise our hand and wave. I did a full arm "come hear" motion. He read it the wrong way at first, then moved quickly to help. Unable to breath and having my bell rung to that degree I can see where a deliberate two handed motion would work well. Or at least you and the driver/observers need to be very specific as to what the signals will be and adhear to them.

[6balls]

If I don't wave my partner is on me right away, similar if I'm driving. In fact, for the most part, I'm watching a bit as I drive especially if the pull timing is off so I know he's in trouble. He takes a big one and I'm on him before he has a chance to wave.

Goofy thing is I can be nearly dead and I still wave. I figure the no wave is truly emergency not just I'm hurt real bad as it would make little difference if they are there in 10 or 30 seconds if I'm in a lot of pain but not in an emergency. If I can get my arm up, I'm prob o.k., if I can't it's because I really can't.

[nam1975]

I wave...bit I also try to turn my head and look towards the boat......depending where you end up...

[Razorskier1]

Yep -- wave with my right hand. Unless of course it isn't functioning, in which case I wave with my left. If neither hand works, then the boat knows to hurry back.

[Marco]

Razor- I'd be laughing, except thats exactly what happened to me to end last season (and most of this one). Blew a tail whil in full reach and dislocated my shoulder. My arm was stuck 90 degrees out and I had to use my other arm to support it, so no wave possible...

[boarditup]

On my lake a single arm wave means come quick, I am disoriented. Two hands over the head means I am ok, just give me the rope back. No signal - I am unconscious and trying to breathe water. A few try to fight it, but my house, my rules - and it works.

[PBD]

First lesson to all new skiers in the boat, if you fall and are ok wave, if not just lay back in the water. Everyone knows the signals.