Take Care of the Trail
SAFE RIDERS snowmobile to enjoy the outdoors. They treat it with respect
- They wait for enough snow cover to protect vegetation
- They avoid running over trees and shrubs.
- They appreciate, but don't disturb animals or other outdoor users.
Take The Honorable Trail
Beautiful trail systems and riding areas are available throughout North America. Stay safe and legal within the areas that you are permitted to ride or those for which you've obtained permission.
Stay Alert
Focusing on the tail light of the snowmobile ahead of you is the cause of many accidents. If your eyes are fixed on the tail light, you are not likely to notice the slight turn the machine ahead makes to avoid collision or the object that was almost hit.
After snowmobiling for several hours, your reaction time slows. Be aware that even though you may not feel tired, the motion, wind and vibration of the machine may begin to dull your senses.
Beware Of Darkness
Low-light and darkness require special care. Slow down and watch for others. Overcast days require extra caution.
Don't over drive your headlights. Ask yourself, "Am I driving slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision?"
At night on lakes and large open fields, estimating distances and direction of travel may become difficult. It is important to keep some point of reference when riding at night.
Beware Of Water
The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers. Besides the danger of plunging through the ice, you have far less traction for starting, turning and stopping on ice than on snow.
Collisions on lakes account for a significant number of accidents. Don't hold the attitude that lakes are flat, wide open areas, free of obstructions.
Remember, if you can ride and turn in any direction, without boundaries, so can other riders. The threat of a collision, then, can come from any direction.
However, if you do snowmobile on the ice, make absolutely sure the ice is safely frozen. Don't trust the judgement of other snowmobilers. You are responsible for your own safe snowmobiling. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Consider buying a buoyant snowmobile suit.
If you go through the ice, remember that your snowmobile suit (even a non-buoyant one) and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes. Slide back onto the ice, using anything sharp to dig in for better pull. Kick your feet to propel you onto the ice, like a seal.
If the ice keeps breaking, continue moving toward shore or the direction from which you came. Don't remove your gloves or mitts.
Once on the ice, roll away from the hole. Don't stand until well away from the hole.
Mountain Measures
Even if we don't live near mountains, many of us want to visit the Cascades, Adirondacks, Rockies or other mountains someday. Mountain snowmobiling is spectacular but can pose extra dangers, such as avalanches. Some avalanche areas may be posted and closed.
Be cautious of avalanche dangers throughout mountain country. Riding in these areas should only be done after receiving proper mountain riding training. Mountain snowmobilers should carry avalanche beacons, shovels, probe poles for locating people buried in snow and a portable radio to summon help.
Avalanche Awareness
Following are some safe travel tips for riding in avalanche country:
- Learn to recognize and understand avalanche potential terrain. Suspect any slope that is steeper than 30 degrees.
- Observe the slope orientation with respect to the sun and the wind.
- Be cautious of cornices.
- Think about the consequences of an avalanche. Will you be carried over a cliff, pushed into trees or buried deep in a gully?
- Travel safely, ride with a partner, carry the appropriate rescue gear and make sure everyone in your group knows how to use it.
For information on Avalanche Awareness please visit the web site www.avalanche.org.
|
Safe Riders! Information
