Snowmobile Safety ListsFrom Wenatchee National Forest:
Snowmobile Safety Reminders, Safety and Survival Tips
Snowmobilers Code of Ethics1. I will be a good sportsman. I recognize that people judge all snowmobile owners by my actions. I will use my influence with other snowmobile owners to promote sportsmanlike conduct.
2. I will not litter trails or camping areas. I will not pollute streams or lakes.
3. I will not damage living trees, shrubs, or other natural features.
4. I will respect other people's property and rights.
5. I will lend a helping hand when I see someone in distress.
6. I will make myself and vehicle available to assist search and rescue parties.
7. I will not interfere with or harass skiers, snowshoers, or other winter sportsmen. I will respect their rights to enjoy our recreation facilities.
8. I will know and obey all Federal, State, and local rules regulating the operation of snowmobiles in areas where I use my vehicle. I will inform public officials when using public lands.
9. I will not harass wildlife. I will avoid areas posted for the protection of wildlife.
REMINDERS
Remember to notify someone of:
1. Your trip.
2. Your planned route of travel.
3. Your estimated time of return.
If You Become lost or Have Mechanical Trouble:
Keep calm think, decide on a plan.
Trust your compass.
Back track if possible - If not possible, remain in place.
Don't separate if with a party.
Don't abandon your snowshoes or skis.
Build a fire and shelter, stay warm.
Mark your base camp.
When someone is overdue, keep calm and contact Sheriff or other law officers, snowmobile clubs, and the Forest Service.
Distress signals.
Three smokes, three blasts of whistle, three shouts, three flashes of light, three of anything that will attract attention.
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Snowmobile Safety & Survival Tips:
Respect The Property & Privacy Of Others.
FENCES Are expensive to repair. Take care not to destroy them. Use gates when traveling over fenced lands.
BUILDINGS Respect other people's property and No Trespass signs. Buildings should not be entered. Notify proper authorities if you find evidence of vandalism.
SKI AREAS Are for skiers. Please keep snowmobiles off all ski slopes.
CAMPGROUNDS Avoid running over tables, stoves, or other improvements covered with snow.
LITTER Please don't leave trash on the snow. Carry a litter bag and follow the "carry in_carry out" motto.
CLOSED AREAS The use of motorized vehicles is prohibited on snow measurement courses, in Primitive Areas and Wilderness. If in doubt, inquire at a local forest service office.
AVALANCHE TIPS Avoid mountainous terrain after heavy snowfalls or prolonged periods of high wind. Avoid crossing steep sidehills and entering narrow, steeply sided canyons. Weather Forecast? Don't travel in a storm. Turn back if the weather turns bad. If visibility is reduced or area is unfamiliar, follow your tracks back out. Safe Routes? Avoid avalanche terrain. Avoid thin ice or unsafe river crossings. Survival Kit? Equip snowmobile with survival materials. Review publications on winter survival.
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS Physically fit? Take no one who cannot make it back in case of breakdown. Remember that human efficiency declines in cold weather. Going Alone? Travel in a group of at least three people and two snowmobiles. Good Equipment? Know how to make repairs; carry an emergency repair kit. Have enough gas, with some to spare. Carry snow shoes or skis. Review check list for other needs. Trip Planned? Know where you're going stick to it. Inform a responsible person of your planned route, and when you'll return. Use registration boards where provided.
HYPOTHERMIA Cold kills in two distinct steps:
STEP ONE:EXPOSURE & EXHAUSTIONWhen your body begins to lose heat faster than it produces it, you are undergoing exposure. Two things happen:
1. You voluntarily exercise to stay warm.
2. Your body makes involuntary adjustments to preserve normal temperature in the vital organs.Either response drains your energy reserves. The only way to stop the drain is to reduce the degree of exposure.
FIRST LINE OF DEFENSEAVOID EXPOSURE
1. Stay dry.
2. Beware the wind.
3. Understand cold. Most hypothermia cases develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees.
4. Don't ask, "how cold is the air?" Ask instead, "how cold is the water against my body?"STEP
TWO: HYPOTHERMIA - If exposure continues until your energy reserves are exhausted.
1. Cold reaches the brain depriving you of judgement and reasoning power. You will not realize this is happening.
2. You will lose control of your hands. This is hypothermia. Your internal temperature is sliding downward.Without treatment this slide leads to stupor, collapse and death. The time to prevent hypothermia is during the period of exposure and gradual exhaustion.
Check List; Items for day trip up to 10 hoursMany items can be taken for convenience and comfort, but the following are a must on EVERY trip:
Proper clothing and "extras" for everyone.
Equipment in top shape & tested Tools for snowmobiles & equipment repair
Spare motor parts, sparkplugs, gas Snowshoes or skis Enough food (emergency rations & lunch) Canned heat (to start fire) Matches (waterproof) & candle Emergency signaling mirror Compass and map Whistle (plastic) 100 feet 1/4" nylon rope 9' x 12' plastic tarp (temporary shelter) Flashlight Hatchet First Aid Kit (group) Sunglasses or goggles
SURVIVAL
1. Don't Panic Think and decide on a plan of action. Stay together. Conserve your energy and warmth.
2. Check Food Carry dehydrated emergency ration.
3. Melt Clean Snow Quench thirst. You can survive a long time on water alone.
4. Make Shelter Use snow and evergreen boughs. Birch bark is waterproof.
5. Build Fire Use ice to reflect sun's rays. Use engine spark, flashlight batteries and steel wool. Keep fire out of wind. Reflect fire into shelter.
6. Make Signal Use fire, smoke, whistle, flares, snowmobile and parts or signs in the snow.
7. Make Your Position Clear Tramp wheel (100 ft. diameter) use upright boughs on south side to cast shadows. Your signal is now visible from a plane.
BE SURE TO CARRY Spare spark plugs, spare drive belt, spare fuel, emergency rations, a first aid kit, flares, a knife or small axe, waterproof matches, spare clothing, flashlight, tool kit, extra ignition key.
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Pre-Ride ChecklistKeep this checklist with you when you ride. Before you start your machine, check the following:
Throttle (it should freely return to the idle or closed position)
Snowmobile (it should be positioned in a clear space free of people or objects)
Fuel and Battery
Ski Assemblies and Rods
Variable Speed Drive Belt
General Mechanical Conditions
Handlebars (they should turn both ways)
Weather Forecast, your clothes and the wind chill factor (to ensure you'll be warm enough).
Emergency Supplies, including: Spare spark plugs, knife, small ax, spare drive belt, waterproof matches, spare fuel, spare clothing, emergency rations, flashlight first aid kit, tool kit, flares, extra ignition key.
Before you start to drive, check the following:
Brakes (they should operate freely and smoothly)
head and taillights emergency switch idle (slowly run your machine for 30 seconds) -
Info provided by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, 2003 Snowmobile Manual======================================
Snowmobile Safety Supply ArticleArticle Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_HansenCarrying the right supplies while snowmobiling could mean the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable trip, or one that you would prefer to forget. Even worse, one that you don't come home from. Below are the items that I carry with me on any trip, even fair weather ones.
Additional items may be necessary if you traveling in remote areas, going on an extended trip, or in a situation with unpredictable weather. Always use good judgment and consult with local experts if you are unsure about what you may need, or are unfamiliar with the area.
A bag strapped to the tunnel contains: 8-10 King Size Snickers , Army Surplus Compressed Fuel Cubes (Trioxane), Army Surplus compact tin stove (really small), 2 Lighters, Candles (For light and heat), Stainless Steel Cup for liquids, Roll of electrical tape, Length of duct tape, LED headlamp, Warm hat, Gloves, Small roll of TP, Sunscreen, GPS, Compass, Leatherman, Knife, Whistle, Spare batteries for headlamp and GPS, 4 Cylume light sticks, 4 space blankets, 2 carabineers, 4 chemical hand warmers, Zip ties , Bungee cord, twine.
In a separate and conditions proof bag (backpack) I carry: Shovel, Extra gloves , Extra socks Extra fleece jacket, Extra thermal top, Matches, Flagging (for marking a trail), Pencil, Paper, Additional food, Collapsible water bag, Sports drink mix, First aid kit, Emergency bivy sack.
In the snowmobile storage compartments: 25' rope, 10' of rope webbing, Tubing for siphoning gas, Spare spark plugs, Basic tool kit, Spare belt On my person, Cell phone - fully charged, ID , Car keys - hopefully.
You can find more information on this and other topics at the H2OREGON snowmobile discussion forum found at:
http://www.h2oregon.comZen's Canadian Snowmobile Blog is produced and owned by Zenwaiter Internet Services, Box 53, Mossbank Saskatchewan Canada e-mail zen@zenwaiter.com We welcome your snowmobile stories and photos, and all your ideas. zw