Would You Take a Ride On This Water Jetpack Nightmare?

Having fun in the sun on the water can quickly turn dangerous, especially when using a high-tech water jetpack. Take a look at the clip below that shows a man getting repeatedly submerged while taking part in a water jetpack experience. So, would you take a ride on this water jetpack? 

The video shows a worker for the attraction strapped into the water jetpack. He appears to be floating perfectly on the water, balancing himself gracefully. He helps a customer onto the jetpack with him, presumably to take him on the adventure of his lifetime! 

Instead of taking to the skies, the pair quickly starts sinking into the water. In an almost comedic scene, the man gets submerged repeatedly as the worker tries to figure out how to balance their weight. 

An Attorney’s Opinion On the Water Jetpack 

While the video seems like both people are enjoying their shared failure, situations like this can quickly become dangerous, especially when they involve heavy machinery and moving equipment. When it comes to adventure and amusement-ride attractions, there is often a level of assumed risk in terms of liability. Likewise, many companies will issue waivers to ensure that they can’t be held liable in the face of accidents. 

Attorney Ugo Lord highlights two essential ideas about the viral video. First, the law cannot protect you from injuries you endure while engaging in dangerous activities. Second, if you trust a professional service such as the one in the video to guide you through the activity, you can be protected by the law to sue for damages. 

Waivers and Dangerous Activities 

Companies offering dangerous events and attractions often require clients to sign a formal waiver. Most waivers aim to prevent the company from being liable in case of accidents. They cover a range of issues, from minor injuries and property damage to major incidents such as hospitalizations and even fatalities.

While each waiver may differ, many utilize exculpatory clauses. These clauses prevent a party from being held liable concerning items spelled out within a contract. 

Exculpatory Clauses 

As discussed, exculpatory clauses allow one party to protect their liability in the event of an accident that causes harm. They are essentially a legal way to alert clients to possible dangers while safeguarding assets. One common exculpatory clause is the “assumption of risk” clause. Assumption of risk clauses allows parties to acknowledge potential risks associated with a particular activity or event. 

While these clauses can help to establish who is liable, some limitations apply. Many courts will take waivers with a grain of salt when discussing them. 

Exculpatory clauses and assumption of risk clauses do not cover incidents that occur with negligence. If any party were to exhibit negligence regarding their end of the contract, liability would entirely fall on them. If the worker in the video knew he couldn’t balance himself and the man and willingly ignored it, his negligence would void an exculpatory clause.