Your Safety List: Read It!

Sobriety
Forget that myth that alcohol warms up chilled person. It opens the blood vessels and removes the feeling of chill, but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body’s core temperature, reducing your chances of survival if you have to wait long for help to arrive. With alcohol, you may only feel warmer, while your body chills dangerously.

Alcohol increases fatigue, impairs judgment, and slows reaction time. Its part of a formula for disaster and don’t forget:

• Most state and provinces have laws prohibiting the operation of a snowcraft while under the influence of alcohol. Both your driver’s license and insurability are at risk.

Speeding
Speed is not the measure of snowmobiling fun. You should always ride at a speed in which you can stop within your line of sight. Slow down and enjoy the scenery and the experience. Ease up on the throttle especially when near other machines, people, trees, animal and other objects. Its good sense – and its law!

The maximum speed limit on all marked snowmobile trails, unplowed roads, and play areas on state lands, excluding public waters, shall be 35 miles per hour.

Don’t tailgate, as with cars, tailgating puts you in a mighty bad position if the person in front has to slow down suddenly or all at once hits an obstacle. Imagine your chances of trying to avoid ramming him, or driving over his machine. If you are on a trail ride and have someone riding on your tail, pull out to the side and motion them past. A snowcraft is not designed to stop on a dime.

Night Riding
For some people, night riding is the best time to get together during the week. However many accidents occur after dark. Low light and darkness require special care so slow down and watch for others.

Make sure your lights are working well and keep them clear of snow and debris. Don’t over-drive headlights. Snowcraft headlights are adequate for reduced speed only.
Ask yourself “Am I driving slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision?”
Don’t blaze new trails at night. Make sure that you are on a well-known trail. The snowmobile that makes a track in the daytime might have been traveling at 5 mph and might have avoided a ditch or washout. Following his or her track at 40 mph at night can mean a trip to the hospital.

Trails
Stay on marked trails!
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 have obtained permission. Also treat them with respect by waiting for enough snow cover to protect vegetation. Avoid running over trees and shrubs.

It is also very important that you respect the property rights of others. Respect private and No Trespass signs. Be careful of barbed wire or electrical fences. Knowing the terrain you are going to ride is always safer. If unfamiliar to you, ask someone who has traveled over it before.

Buddy System
Among the snowmobilers who know what is going on, there is an unwritten rule, you should absolutely never, snowmobile alone for any distance at all. Even at 30 mph, a half-hour drive can put you 15 miles into the wilderness. If you run trouble in deep snow or have a mechanical failure and have to walk, you are in trouble.

So, don’t snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family or friends, it is safer too. In an emergency a buddy can make the difference between life and death. Most snowcraft accidents result in personal injury. The most dangerous situations occur when a person is injured and alone. If you must travel alone, tell someone your destination, planned route, and when you will return.

Weather
Know the weather forecast and especially the ice and snow conditions in the area you choose to snowmobile. If possible, turn back if the weather turns bad and avoid traveling in storms. If visibility is reduced or area is unfamiliar, follow your tracks back out. Remember that bad weather slows travel.

Ice
Ice can be treacherous, never take a chance. Frozen lakes and rivers often are the first place to snowmobile before snow comes. But keep in mind that no one has guaranteed ice of any thickness will hold a sled everywhere. Ice thickness may vary greatly due to currents, temperature, snow pack, soft spots, and springs – be careful and stay away from slush covered areas.

It takes a load of experience to travel very fast. If you can ride and turn in any direction, without boundaries, so can other riders. Fast stops are impossible on ice. The threat of a collision, then, can come from any direction. Those who are new at riding should use caution and slow speed.

However, if you do snowmobile on ice, make absolutely sure the ice is safely frozen. Don’t trust the judgment of other snowmobilers. You are responsible for your own safe snowmobiling. Drowning is a leading cause of snowcraft fatalities. Consider buying a buoyant snowmobile suit.
If you break through, keep calm. Remember that your snowmobile suit (even a non-buoyant one) and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes.

• Don’t remove your gloves or mitts.• Slide back onto the ice, using anything sharp to dig in for better pull.• Kick your feet to propel you on to the ice, like a seal.• Extend your arms forward onto the unbroken ice.• Keep sliding forward.• If the ice keeps breaking:• Continue moving toward shore or the direction from which you came.• Once on the ice DO NOT STAND.• Roll well away from the break.

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. So… Always be extremely cautious when on ice.

Clothing
Wear protective, thermal clothing designed for snowmobiling to insulate your body from snow, wind and wind chill. A windproof and water repellent outer layer is especially important, as are warm gloves or mitts, boots and a helmet. Clothing should be loose enough to permit freedom of movement. Wear layers of clothing, so that you can add or remove a layer or two to adjust for changing condition.

Avoid wearing long scarves. They may get caught in moving parts of the snowcraft. Choose a neck warmer instead.Use a full size helmet, goggles, or face shield to prevent injuries from twigs, stones, ice chips, and flying debris. Make sure your helmet is safety-certified, the right size and in good condition. A visor is essential for clear vision and wind protection and the chinstrap should be buckled. A facemask will also provide extra protection and helps to reduce the possibility of frostbite. Wear glasses or goggles that offer protection from the sun. And of course, carry extras.

Safety Equipment
You should always be prepared for an emergency and carefully plan what equipment may be needed, especially if you are taking a long trip. A good question to ask is, “Can I get back safely with the equipment I’m taking?” Keep in mind that you can store many pieces of survival equipment on your snowcraft.

They can be secured under the snowcraft cowl (properly secured away from steering components, moving parts and hot exhaust areas), carried in a small backpack or in a bag attached to the snowcraft seat.

Refer to the IMSF mini-pamphlet titled: Snowcraft Safety Equipment Checklist, to know more about some of the items you should carry on your snowcraft.

Mountain Measures

Even if we don’t live near mountains, many of us want to visit the 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.

Avoid mountainous terrain after heavy snowfalls or prolonged periods of high wind. Avoid crossing steep side hills and entering narrow, steeply sided canyons. Riding in these areas should only be done after receiving proper mountain riding training.Mountain snowmobilers should carry avalanche beacons, shovels, and probe poles for locating people buried in snow and portable radio summon help.

Planning
Describing your planned route and your machine can be time- and life-savers. So, plan routes in advance and always notify a responsible person of your trip, route of travel, and estimated time of return. Leave copy of your plan with your family or friends.Always let your family and friends know you are back or have arrived at your destination. No one likes needless searches.

Hand Signals
Other snowmobilers and car drivers need to know what you are up to. Remember the basic hand signals:Stop: Left arm raised straight upSlowing: Left arm extended out and down, use downward flapping motionRight turn: Left arm raised at shoulder height, elbow bent at 90° angleLeft Turn: Left arm extended straight out, pointed in direction of turn
Don’t forget the best hand signal going in snowmobiling today, one particularly useful and effective called:Who’s behind? Hold up one hand showing a number of fingers to indicate how many riders are behind you. Each following rider should do the same. The last rider shows a fist meaning the line of sleds has passed.

Maintenance
Be sure your snowcraft is in topnotch mechanical condition at the beginning of the winter season and throughout the months of use. You have two good guides available for snowcraft maintenance: the owner’s guide manual that came with your machine and your dealer. Consult both to make sure your machine is kept in top form for dependable, enjoyable fun.

All snowcrafts must have, in good working order, all of the following: one or more headlights, red rear light, fully functional brakes and an efficient muffler. No by-pass of a muffler system is allowed so don’t remove the factory-installs air box or muffler to install one that makes more noise. This would lessen the performance of your snowcraft. The manufacturer is trying hard for the betterment of the environment, to develop a quieter machine. Also, don’t forget to check the throttle; a frozen throttle can make your snowcraft as dangerous as a loaded gun.

Rules
On a snowcraft the same rules of the road and penalties apply as for driving a car, including possible fines, losses of driver’s license, criminal record, and/or imprisonment.

You and your passenger must wear a helmet while riding a snowcraft.
On most of the trails a valid trail use permit must appear on the windshield of your sled. Permits can be purchased from your local snowmobile club.

The Off Highway Vehicle Act requires that all snowmobiles and snow machines be registered and insured. Therefore, you must have a license plate affixed in a visible manner and you are required to carry your driver’s license, snowmobile registration, and proof of insurance at all times.

Remember that your snowcraft is not covered by your home owners or auto policies.

Don’ts
Never ask your friend to pull on the front end of a stuck snowcraft while you work the throttle. And never do it yourself if you don’t savor the thought of being run over. One way to pull the snowcraft out is to attach a rope to the bumper or a ski and pull on the rope. If you are traveling in deep snow and get helpless mired in, turn your machine off and pack the snow down around the sides and front of your machine. Then start your engine and rock the snowcraft back and forth and ride out slowly. Don’t panic. Even deep snow can be hand scooped or packed down until you are back on the trail.

Long trailing scarves invite being caught in moving parts or by low hanging branches.
As with any machine, if you remove protective parts like clutch guards, you are flirting with painful experiences.

To check gas levels, never light a match – even a stiff breeze and an empty tank won’t make this practice safe. Also remember that the fumes of an open battery are as explosive as gasoline when exposed to open flame.

Don’t tow without a solid hitch. Towing skiers or sleds behind a snowcraft can be fun, but if you do, remember it also can be dangerous. Ropes for towing are not recommended if you want to avoid injuries. Tangling of slack ropes in the track or drive, inexperience, and various snow or ice conditions can make rope towing more dangerous than fun. The best bet is always to use a rigid-mount or “stiff” hitch sled for extra passengers.

Accident?
If causing or involved in an accident resulting in injury to any person, death or property damage, you shall immediately stop and render such assistance as may be reasonably necessary. You must provide the victim with your name, and address (or the snowcraft owner’s one) and registration number.

Any damages exceeding $500.00 shall immediately be notified to an enforcement officer. Further, you are required to file a written report of the accident with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours on prescribed forms.

If you are involved in an accident which results in only damage to your property no report is required.

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